About Deepest Darkest

Formerly of The Carolines, Nate Purscelley, Matthew Lenhart and Jared Abraham have joined forces with Nat Johnson of Derby to form Deepest Darkest, a band grounded in rock history. Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, Simon & Garfunkel are few of the influences, and the vibe is classic.

The members of Deepest Darkest are:

Nate Purscelley Lead Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet
Nat Johnson Backup Vocals, Lead Guitar
Matthew Lenhart Bass Guitar
Jared Abraham Drums

(from left to right) Matthew Lenhart, Nat Johnson, Nate Purscelley, Jared Abraham
Photo by Inger Klekecz

Press

(from Portland Mercury)

BRAD MACKESON, TANGO ALPHA TANGO, DEEPEST DARKEST

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) After the Carolines split a couple years ago, Nathan and Aaron Trueb formed Tango Alpha Tango, while the remaining members teamed up with Derby's Nat Johnson to form Deepest Darkest. Both bands are logical extensions of the Carolines' unpretentious, melodic pop. Deepest Darkest go for shiny, sheen-y, radio-friendly, classicist rock, with every note carefully in place and every timbre in perfect relief. As generic as that could seem, the songs are mighty fine, and the relaxed, sun-faded vibe is a comfortable fit. Tango Alpha Tango have a bit more urgency to their sound, and cultivate a delicate, damaged beauty; the songs are either folkier and more pointed, or trashier and glammier?more suited for the bedroom than Deepest Darkest's convertible-with-the-top-down groove. It's a genuine pleasure, and no slight against what came before, that both bands are better than the Carolines ever were, and sure, it's not exactly fair, or necessary, to pit the two against the past or each other?but when both share the bill, comparisons are inevitable. Headliner Brad Mackeson celebrates the release of his Nostalgia album, and as its title would suggest, it revisits familiar classic rock and Americana sounds without rocking any boats or embarking on roads less traveled. NL

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