happy good times new shows!!!

upcoming efren events!!

This is how efren rocks...athens and atlanta bound!

another great review!! Thanks!!!

Out of Athens, GA, a city that’s produced many great musicians in the past, comes yet another band whose music is definitely well-worth a listen. Efren, whose new EP was released this past August, pleases from the second you press play. Always Been A Bleeder is a seamless combination of influences: some tracks vibrate with psychedelic and fairly experimental folk while others have distinct country and rock roots.

As a five-track release, the music is alternatively celebratory and brooding, the first four tracks consistently switching between jaunty folk rock romps (“Potholes”) and dwelling, reflective tracks (“Next Tuesday”). “Rapids,” the closing track, follows the tradition of sounding more like something experimental that the band enjoyed recording instead of a polished track. It’s a nine-minute outlier that starts with chaotic and dissonant mixture of guitar plucks, twangs, wails and warbles, bells, and the occasional cymbal crash until two minutes in, Scott Leon O’Day’s dry voice joins in and the song metamorphoses into something gentler and more melodic. While Always Been A Bleeder clearly has the influence of older folk, their music is also distinctly contemporary. At times they sound like a more youthful and energized Tallest Man On Earth, and as advertised by the band, many of the tracks should be well-received by fans of Iron & Wine (particularly if you enjoyed Beam’s sound on The Shepard’s Dog).

The vocals are, in the tradition of many folk-singers past and present, dry and raspy, often more mumbles than articulate words, but they never grate. Lyrically, Efren stays introspective while avoiding self-indulgence, which leaves their music more free-spirited than heavy. Track for track, they engage from the get-go, and their sound only grows more and more enjoyable with each succeeding listen. While none of the tracks stand out as singles, Always Been A Bleeder lays down an outstanding outline for a future LP.

www.adequacy.net
September 15th, 2010 by Emily Graham


Thanks alot!!!

salt to be free. ~efren

Play up in the mountains
stay out here at home
too hot to be naked
we can sit inside alone
ride out to the mailbox
trying not to get lost
cool it off and sit down
figure out who's the boss

Realize our goals
magic can make it burn our souls
feel me try to retreat
over the edge i leak
kiss the boy goodnight
goin' solo for a while
find out we can breath
takes some salt to be free

~efren
on upcoming album
'Rise on up and Melt'
winter 2010

YIPEE! New release and big shows this weeks and live set for free!!

wow.
i like playing music

first

Today is the official worldwide release of our new ep 'Always Been a Bleeder'
get it here
www.efrenmusic.com
or now on itunes!!
yes!!

next

FREE DOWNLOAD OF NEW LIVE SET! free to be live, vol. 1
or just stream it

and FINALLY!

THE BIG SHOW!!!!!! to celebrate the Worldwide release of our EP!!!!



Hope yall are well
and hoping we will see ya FRIDAY AT LITTLE KINGS

What Album Are You Most Looking Forward To Next Week?

What Album Are You Most Looking Forward To Next Week?

PLEASE GO AND VOTE FOR 'ALWAYS BEEN A BLEEDER' BY US efren.

thanks
proud of you!!

upcoming events!!

Yall in the Atlanta area please come see us over these next few weeks!!
Lenny's 7-29
Wonderroot 7-30
Masquerade 8-14





see yall then!!!

super sweet sickness!

We are on the Team Clermont with our new EP Always Been a Bleeder!
POW! link^^^



Efren is a folk group hinting on the psychedelic, from areas around Athens, GA. Reaching out into the musical world with introspective lyrics and brooding energy, Efren has composed an EP of new broken heart strung songs and stories. Bleeding on the stage with over 45 shows in 10 months, learning who you are and finding the comfortably challenging sound, Efren is searching for the right vehicle of song expression.

Five songs, one fighting the frustrations, one hoping for potential, one battling demons, one winning, and finally the long epic surrender. Recorded in the spring of 2010 with Dave Sturgis at The Stewdio in Athens, GA Always Been A Bleeder is a proud installment in the young project Efren.

Always Been A Bleeder comes hot off the heels of the band’s debut album, Thunder & Moan. Both of the recordings are hard and quiet, while the live show invigorates the music and delves deeper into the compositions, exploring the sonic textures. Learning the rules of the stage in a songwriter’s realm has deepened and expanded the palette of the group’s compositions.

Efren is the songwriting vehicle of one Scott Leon-O’Day. But there are four men making this meal; with roots in jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass and rock. Efren touches on Southern Americana music, draws from indie lo-fi ideas, and respects the multitudes of great songwriters of our past. Lyrically driven, but emotionally wandering. Stories of trying to lose love, dreams of family past, tall boys, gambling, and whiskey stills…

pushing on the lid.

been playing ALOT.
wanna open it up and spread it around.
been breaking too many strings gonna get a new saddle.
want everyone to get ready to come and get the copy of 'Always been a Bleeder' our new EP, recorded with the full band plus my lil sis!!!
how far would you go if nobody held you back?
all the way?
gimme the time and funds and i will play and record all that i can.
I love me some Athens, GA. I love all our friends around here. I love my family and pets. I love to play for yall...
do you know it?
i am writing for another couple sessions for new EP's hopefully out by years end.
this is the time to drop the hammer on this and push out the BS and pile up some shows and records.
unconventionally new free form folk music.
i'd go all the way for this, life WILL BE A SIMPLE KISS.
my fingers are a bit sore. my voice a little beat up. and i been drinking and smoking too much. maybe time for a stint on the wagon? probably not.
yall come on out to the last gigs this week before we release the EP at ATHfest.

Monday 6-14 6 PM
Ashford Manor
opening for Normaltown Flyers

Thursday 6-17 10 pm
Tasty World Uptown (two more weeks and it will be gone)
with Amandla, Nuclear Spring, and Titans of Filth
WOW

believe in these dreams, they may be what they seem.

sincerly
scott

lots of shows, new EP

wow.
i love music.
even breaking strings, losing capos, driving thru the night. we are the lucky ones.
beer, guitars, and stomping feet.

New Album Art Above.
Done by the ADAM O'Day

Release party
Friday June 25th
ATHfest @Flicker
with Hope for a GOlden Summer
Thayer Serrano
and Major Love Event.
so sweet.
got NC, TN, and back to GA this week, yes. duo style, get ready Jonny!!!
thanks people of the listening galaxy.

athens americana setlist 4-16-10

Check it Down
Father's Proof
Montana Scare
Potholes
Next Tuesday
Hickory Bell
Stay High
Over the Horizon
Pound Yr Chest
Thunder and Moan

good times
party

doing it.

yeah this week

a song writer thursday and we open for larry keel, friday, march 19th at new earth music hall.

this week!!! Athens, GA, c'mon with it.

hope to see your wndrful faces!!
e

new songs

recorded five demos this past week for the new ep.
so as we stand now got 6 new songs and 2 older ones for the recording sesh.
8 songs prolly adding more as we go...
gonna be sweet...
sneak peeker...

Limbs of the castle wrap the sky
Wicked and tumbled soar in the night
Clear the rim of the sky today
Or wrap in it’s safety and please stay

All strange sizes up and fly
Naked green to fall and cry
Hide in the eaves under this roof
And jump in the leaves after the truth

frog bird, efren, 2010

hello world and snow patrol.

hey yall.
snowy week in athens.
pretty nice.
melting away as i did this week.
two shows and lots of work.
good shows.
thanks for coming out to the Flicker and Farm yalls.
even with your snow shoes on.
epic snowball fight.
snowy duo.
got some footage in the snow.
feeling pretty good.
valentine's day satisfy.
you stayed in the yard.
got my felty slippers
and my lil guy, avi monk.
wife be back soon.
umi soomi klub.
low bankroll.
winter slumber land.
got some sleep last nite.
nice after two 3 hour nites.
hope you got some to love.
listen in.

upcoming events!!!

No flyer but the best may be efren with Hola Halo at Flicker Jan 30th 9pm!!!
Hope we see yall at these fine events!!! we will Thunder and Moan!!

new songs for the world about ?

we spent friday night learning five new songs and they are all wonderful.
after just a few run thru's i feel great about 'em!!!
Rapids
Potholes (simple kiss)
Rise up and Melt
Over the Horizon
and Next Tuesday
wow.
love em.
here's a sneak peak...

Potholes (simple kiss) by efren

Like I told you long ago
I would never leave my mind
Inside the car I saw
All of the things we’d find
A better life and searching wife
Took us off in the night
Stole a bottle split the zone
All I see is the light

Potholes in two tracks
I hide up around the back
I’d leave you here
Probably out of fear

Barrels run dry til mornin’
Peace around me now
Can’t see thru the fog
Probably hit it with no doubt
Not really no way to think
But we can win this bout
I’d go all the way for this
Life will be a simple kiss.

Go on and pack your bags
It’s blowing in the wind
Creepin thick August heat
Up on the porch I’m your friend
Go up against any cause
Search me out and fight the boss
Poisoned corn and ruined sun
First learn yourself then buy that gun

Retired Preacher smoked the point
Off the laws of Georgia Clay
Schoolboy tied in the dark
Just believe you’ll get away
Revolution is in the air
Change my clothes cut my hair
I’d go all the way for this
Life will be a simple kiss

Potholes in two tracks
I’ll hide up around the back
I’d leave you here / I’d never leave you here
Probably out of fear / Revolution is near

stay high, efren
Roll over and face the beauty
Fight the fight, hold your home
Grow the shrubs and cut em down
Baby’s first steps on the town
Touch my leg under the night
Strength is the morning light

But ain’t it a shame about the wind
Or the morning fog that couldn’t stay
Gone way too soon unlike the moon
Tell the evening sky to stay high,
Tell her soon

Sing like you don’t care today
Leaves they will blow away,
Come back next year all brand new
Get ‘em all, give ‘em all a few
Horns sing our return to our wealth
Reflect on your mama’s health

Inside you feel sweet touches
Inside we build a fire
Fill my hand and blind my mind
Eat your fruits and unwind
Return the recipes of our island
We can always be human

Stay soon, stay high.

the boys are back

nice.
the efren band had their first performances since mid-December this week!!

First was the Athens Dance and Folk Society HOOT! @ Little Kings!!
For being folk fans they were a loud and talkative bunch. Great Show though and good to play a nice short 30 min. set to warm up for the rest of the week. Meet a wonderful lady songwriter, Caroline Aiken. wow.. she brings the wisdom of performance and storytelling i will to have one day.


next was the GO bar. with Mr. Adam Klein and friends
two great acts but slim turn out. but on that subject, i have decided to decrease athens shows (even though i just booked one Feb 12th at Farm 255), as to decrease supply, increase demand... i like the go bar and plan on hitting up more often.

Then the GRAND Finale
Java Monkey in ATL, decataur
with Besides Daniel, solo
This place is a small real cool coffee shop/bar/food joint with an enclosed patio with little gas fireplaces to heat it. small stage and PA, that works great, not the PA:) but the room/patio. tables and funny wooden bleachers, nice. and the had Bell's Porter on tap!!! yes.
Danny played a sweet set and the crowd grew and grew, and was extremely silent and attentive, great job!!! Danny is very talented and a superb songwriter, even though he has been thru alot recently (crazy tangled story)
Then we hit the stage rocked thru our set to great reception and had a blast. i think i may start posting set lists soon of shows so look out for that...

now it is time to finish demo's/preproduction on new EP!!
my voice has been kinda iffy lately, but seems to be coming around.
no performances til macon Jan. 29th duo style
then a biggun on Jan 30th at Flicker with Hola Halo

nice.
see ya real soon?!?

one sheet/bio...ya think??

Efren is a folk group hinting on the psychedelic, from areas around Athens, GA. Reaching out into the musical world with introspective lyrics and brooding energy, efren entertains on many levels. In the past few month efren has recorded, released and supported the debut album ‘Thunder and Moan’. The recorded album is hard and quiet, while the live show invigorates the music and delves deeper into the compositions, exploring the sonic textures.
The players of this music have roots in jazz and blues, folk, bluegrass and rock. Efren touches on Southern Americana music, draws from indie lo-fi ideas, and respects the multitudes of great songwriters of our past. Lyrically driven, but emotionally wandering. Stories of trying to lose love, dreams of family past, tall boys, gambling, and whiskey stills…

“Roots with occasional layered vocals, his sound is that of one who's lived through much and dug into the depths of his heart to share it with us.”
~Echoryn of Athens .com
“Efren’s acoustic guitar and occasionally despairingly dark lyricism deliver the opposite of so much tacky “Americana” and “New Roots” music. Rather than reinforce a feeling of place and point-of-view, they amplify the supreme disconnectedness that overwhelms everyone intermittently and a few of us permanently. In it, even things held in hand seem just out of reach.”
~Gordon Lamb, Flagpole

Efren is presented as a full band, duo or solo. All formations intrigue ideas and experiences that affect the audience and venues with new sounds and performance. Efren is currently performing around the Southeast, and has plans of venturing out about the US and trying Europe in late 2010. Please, check out efren. ‘Thunder and Moan’

www.efrenmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/efrenrock
www.efrenrock.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/efrenrock
www.myspace.com/efrenrock

770-316-4809

some goals

new years day is always the time to set new standards. I wanna do it.
2010 will be a great year. lets do it.

things i/we will accomplish...
New Full band EP to be released Spring 2010
Finish another full length to be released in early 2011
Play in 10 new cities
play 50 shows solo, duo, full band
Play no more than 3 times a month in Athens
find representations, label, booking, promo, management
book 4 solo tours
write music, songs, or blog everyday!
get an accountant
enjoy my wife and son all the time.
have more dinners with friends
drink and smoke less?
have monthly songwriter shows ala Man Gave Names to All the Animals
find time to be active and stay healthy
eat better
live

Hope we can all find happiness and fruitful success in 2010.
see ya soon...