The Crescendo Show

Everlasting Evolution When multi-instrumentalists and song writing hobbyists Nathan Porter & Ricky Carlson finally met in 2007 musical explosions were inevitable. A year later The Crescendo Show was born and the vast adventure of forging their unique sound began. Porter’s roommate, Kailyn Kubiak, quickly became a staple with the band offering her singing talents. For the first few years The Crescendo Show rarely performed in public. The band rehearsed several times per week, tinkering with musical ideas, and building a genuine camaraderie.
 In the summer of 2010 they decided it was time to capture some of the compositions on which they had worked so tirelessly. The band invested in basic home recording gear, and friends generously lent the rest of the necessary equipment. Recording began in Porter & Kubiak’s apartment. They approached their first recordings with no concern toward performing the tracks live, treating the project as an exercise in song craft, a way to reflect and refine their work. The result was a glimpse into the highly eclectic and unique songwriting chemistry Porter & Carlson share.  The Crescendo Show was released in October 2010. It showcases eight dynamic songs that feature a broad selection of instruments strongly arranged with colorful textures, rich melody and beautiful harmonies while displaying an often poetic and imaginative lyricism. In November 2010 Porter, Carlson & Kubiak invited local musician and gear technician Matt Kellam into the group as the bassist. The quartet played regularly in Corvallis, Newport, Eugene, Portland and Seattle, slowly building a small but loyal following while sharpening their musicality. They saved funds from performances to upgrade their recording equipment, and by the end of 2011 began recording their second full length album in Carlson’s apartment.  Sure As The Ocean Shore was released in the spring of 2012 to a capacity crowd at the Corvallis Public Library. The album presents a dozen songs with a stripped down rocking roots/folk sound that breathes and captures the band's live sound. This style was a departure from the more experimental and layered recordings of their first album. Stronger dynamics, improved singing, more group harmonies and melodic bass lines formed the core of the record. Shortly thereafter The Crescendo Show was offered the opportunity to write and record the soundtrack for a documentary on the Willamette River. They gladly accepted, spending the summer and fall of 2012 working on the Fresh Waters EP. The band began drifting away from their folk and acoustic roots, initiated by a shrewd decision to convert Carlson to drums and Kubiak to electric guitar. They spent 2013 writing new songs and playing countless shows across Oregon and Washington, becoming more cohesive than ever. Once again they saved their performance earnings and this time had enough to finally record in a professional studio. The Crescendo Show’s third full length album, Jackal’s Kiss, was recorded at Jackpot! Studios in Portland, Oregon, during January and February 2014. With Larry Crane (Mixing/Engineering), Kendra Lynn (Engineering), and Adam Gonsalves (Mastering), they produced their most complex and polished work to date. Released May 23, 2014, the album features thirteen tracks that offer a wide range of themes and moods while signaling a departure from their earlier folk sound. In October 2014 The Crescendo Show transformed from the long-time quartet into a 5 piece unit when friend, local musician and instrument repair man, Aarron Wootton joined the band on electric guitar. Because The Crescendo Show's sound has altered and evolved with each album, it is hard to nail down a simple description of their style. Characteristics that have defined the band during their entire existence are their work ethic, and the distinct vocal harmonies of Porter & Kubiak. The Crescendo Show remains an independent band with a strong focus on writing original songs. All five members dedicate time outside of their day jobs to fulfill their passion of creating music together. They are currently working towards their fourth full length album which they intend to record at Jackpot! Studios in the winter of 2015/16.