FORTY FEET TALL Tries Not To “Sleepwalk” Through National Discord, New Music Out Early 2023
“Portland foursome Forty Feet Tall popped up to remind us all that rock ’n’ roll is still very much alive… in the vein of Queens of the Stone Age or Arctic Monkeys, Forty Feet Tall aren’t interested in dealing in watered-down, radio-friendly rock; there’s a tinge of aggression around the edges of these songs.” – The Alternative
“The band recently shared “On & On & On” a smart and lively blend of garage rock with a slick energy and a hint of smart pop in the chorus and style of production. It’s a track that you can imagine a sea of sweaty bodies crashing into one enough at a live show in a most glorious fashion.” – We All Want Someone To Shout For
“Formed in 2011 by a bunch of savvy teenagers from Los Angeles, the now-decade-old group are ready to showcase their refreshing brand of 2000′s-era Incubus, Queens Of The Stone Age and Cage The Elephant.” – The Noise
“A push-pull of quiet and melodic classic left of the dial college rock parts occasionally body slammed by fuzzed out explosions of bash pop. It grooves, it’s chaotic, it’s glorious.” – Postcard Elba
“Drenched in reverb, driving riffs like The Strokes mixed with fun vocals in the vein of Jay Reatard and Pavement, these guys got the assignment right.” – Rebel Noise
“A bold and driven indie-rock belter.” – Mystic Sons
FORTY FEET TALL
Highlights the Disrupted Political Climate in New Single “Sleepwalking”
New Music Out Early 2023 via Magnetic Moon
Photo credit: Harper King
NOVEMBER 4, 2022 (PORTLAND, OR) – “I think in this political climate, we’re all desperately wondering if we’re doing enough. This song reflects that feeling,” explains Cole Gann, lead singer of Portland-based indie rockers FORTY FEET TALL about their new single, “Sleepwalking.” The track is a taste of what’s to come from the band with new music coming in early 2023 via Magnetic Moon, the song’s theme is as present throughout, as it is throughout the previous EP BOIL and their 2021 debut A Good Distraction. Exploring the anxiety and angst that has built up during isolation from the pandemic coupled with the polarized political climate, Forty Feet Tall brings their aggressive and frustrating emotions to the surface and releases it cathartically with a more genre-bending experimental take.
No strangers to emotional vulnerability, Forty Feet Tall sublimate their feelings into their heavy riffs on “Sleepwalking.” “I tend to write lyrics that are maybe a little more up to interpretation, but this song is pretty blunt which felt good,” adds Cole. The track is a perfect example of how many people have felt after the effects of the pandemic and how the national dischord really shook things up and fueled the fire.
Starting out further down the Pacific Coast in SoCal, Forty Feet Tall began with a childhood friendship between Los Angeles natives Cole Gann (lead singer/guitar) and Jack Sehres (guitar). They started out playing a benefit to save the rainforest, but by graduation had built a following big enough to play on stages including the Troubadour, Roxy, and the Whiskey. College took Jack to San Francisco and Cole to Portland, but the band continued to perform even as they focused on their studies. Forty Feet Tall then released their self-titled album in 2014, followed a few years later by the Red Dressed EP. Bass player Brett Marquette came aboard in 2017; later adding drummer Ian Kelley which solidified the band. Forty Feet Tall’s hard-edged, expansive sound drew attention from television and movie music supervisors. Having songs featured in Showtime’s Shameless, several MTV spots, in the Paramount feature Drunk Wedding, and even an Arnold Schwarzenegger flick (Killing Gunther).
Forty Feet Tall is Cole Gann (vocals/guitar), Brett Marquette (bass) Ian Kelley (drums), and Jack Sehres (guitar). “Sleepwalking“ was produced by Cameron Spies (Radiation City, Night Heron). Forty Feet Tall has new music coming soon in early2023,via Magnetic Moon. The new single “Sleepwalking” is out now. The band is available for interviews.
