Northern Strangers

Northern Strangers formed in 2010, out of a collective love for classic psychedelic rock music from the likes of Pink Floyd, The Doors, Talking Heads, David Bowie, The Beatles and CSNY/Neil Young and Crazy Horse. The members’ varied musical backgrounds, ranging from classical to jazz to reggae to folk to musical theatre and beyond, provide a distinct flavor of psychedelic fun. Northern Strangers quickly built a reputation for themselves by playing energetically charged live sets throughout Los Angeles, CA.

Whether playing at the smallest of dive bars or eventually headlining historic rock n’ roll venues such as The Viper Room or The Roxy, the band became known for playing with emotion and putting on one hell of a live show. In 2012 for a Halloween show, Northern Strangers took on the ambitious pursuit of playing Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ in it’s entirety, complete with all sound effects, voiceovers, etc. and syncing everything up live on stage to a video projection. After the success of the show, the band quickly began performing more and more of Pink Floyd’s classic albums for crowds around Los Angeles.

From its inception, the group has been comprised of Dan Graul (guitar, bass, vocals) and brother/sister duo Rebecca Norris (keyboards, synth, vocals) and Will Norris (bass, guitar, vocals). Each coming from a background of singing and songwriting, Northern Strangers has never needed to rely on a lead singer or songwriter. The group is a true collaborative effort, with a sound characterized by the trio’s signature, rich harmonies.

In 2013 Northern Strangers recorded and released their debut album ‘Monsters!’ A folk rock concept piece, the album was praised by indie music blog Musical Seduction as ‘smooth, energetic, romantic, fun, and thought provoking’ as well as ‘absolutely wild and unique!’ 2013 also saw Northern Strangers take on their first tour, culminating in a slot at Black Mountain Family Reunion, a music and arts festival in Guffey, Colorado where the band has since become an annual staple.

Rebecca, Dan and Will met current percussionist Jonathan Santin in 2014. The drummer brought a fresh energy into the group; and the quartet excitedly set to work on the process of creating ‘Where The River Goes.’ They spent the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 honing new material and trying ideas out in a live setting. In search of a more collaborative recording process, the band enlisted Long Beach based music veteran Antoine Arvizu (Sublime, Ryan Bingham, Free Moral Agents, Avi Buffalo) to produce and record their album at The Compound Studio. Arvizu helped Northern Strangers hone their sprawling psychedelic folk sound into a focused offering that highlights the group's picturesque songwriting, while still affording the four musicians opportune moments to spread out and show off their organic, rocking group dynamic.

Northern Strangers plan to spend the immediate future touring and doing all they can to spread the gospel of psychedelic love and harmony exuded on ‘Where The River Goes.’ The group released a silly, 1990’s inspired music video for the track ‘Feel Your Way,’ ahead of the albums’ release.