FREE Download! for you and you and you.

sorry i am been busy....

wow
efren on the loose.
really apologize to the 4 followers i have. jk.
this will be short but i promise to get back on the blogger train.

we gots lots of exciting things coming up.
mad shows.
NEW ALBUM dropping June 28th, but will be available at ATHfest the previous weekend!!
RISE ON UP AND MELT!!!!
we got some special treats for the Athenites that weekend so be on the lookout.

We are so so so proud of the album. i am giddy with excitement to share it with yall!!!
i will even give yall a sneak peak of the art for it here!!



Writing songs for you
Under a velvet moon
Hearing lines of red
Into simple heads
Richer times unbound
Crisp strings ground
Light moods will pay
Please sit and stay

Leaving this bus stop
Sweat the next spot
Sweet faces smile
Over southern miles
Invent an escape
To stay up so late
In bound roads split
Our golden hit

Inside a brainstorm
Lost in being born
Say you this morning
Curled up in glory
Lets stay up together
Close like its forever
Highway guard lied
Just let mama try

Open the lines to the last station
Right next to love’s confession
Always knew how you felt
Please, rise on up and melt

title track from upcomer!!

thanks for loving.

SL

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!!!

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…

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.

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.

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

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...

Comin' on up.

Some upcoming events.
ALSO Jan. 14th @ GO bar w/ Adam Klein and friends!!!! pre-DBT party!!!
cmon...

which way to go...

today i had been thinking of writing a post about all the things i was grateful for and how i was to wish you all a grand holiday, but things have changed...

I learned this evening, Christmas Eve, of the coma and then soon passing of Vic Chesnutt, one of our town's/world's greatest songwriters. With rumors of OD and suicide swirling, i contemplate the life he led and the songs he has sewn. Chinaberry Tree. key players watchin... I sit and listen to his last release and wonder was it pain or frustrations that lead to this or his conditions and medical bills that weighed to heavy? I do know that one who has lain the seed of song for so long and given all he has to the tunes and walls of the venues of this world deserves more. but then is it to pass onto the next level that he will truly gain his due? or is his passing a lesson to us or me or the glorious struggle of the Athens' musician, that we are to lead our art to serve his legacy or did he want to call it quits after he had said all he had to say? confusion and love and respect and grief overwhelms my mind and soul. why? I want to put this system of questions and wonder into physical understanding. I want to feel right about the losses Athens has faced in the dark year of 2009. Vic. Jon Gutherie, GA Theatre. end it, please.

Can this be a positive position we sit in ? is this a launch point to a new conscience alliance of songwriters? we can be strong and bind together the love of our ties, music, songs, lyrics, soul. We can. we can. we can. try to embrace our heart and let our strength in numbers and heritage in culture wave music sustain us.

sustain us.
i will not edit my emotion for the respect of our people. fallen and living.

RIP Vic Chesnutt 1964-2009

See You Around

I’m sorry for my lack of communication
but as I’m staring out this fifth floor window
it seems like the least amount of communication the better
oh, well what am I supposed to say
"there’s a bloody effigy on my wall
and the complimentary carnation is falling apart"
and I ain’t got time for the niceties
or rather I was never never fond of the niceties

I will see you around
I will see you around
see you around
see you around

well I must admit I’m flattered by your consecration
It’s a mind-numbing spine-chilling
but never-the-less heartwarming gesture
but as you make your advances so clumsily
I’ll save us both the both the hassle and leave
and hang out all night
in the familiar fluorescent light of Dunkin’ Donuts
'cause I ain’t got time for the niceties
or rather I was never never fond of the niceties

I will see you around
see you around
see you around
see you around

well how are you with issues
lately you’ve been a half-assed activist
you’ve been seen sashaying around the picket line
wearing scarcely any sign
oh but always vocal in love and strife
and the politics of your all important life
well I’m sorry but your routine is coming off a bit ragged
and I ain't got time for the niceties
or rather I was never never fond of the niceties

I will see you around
I'll see you around
see you around
see you around
see you around
see you around
I'll see you around
I'll see you around
I'll see you around
~V. Chesnutt

Happy Holidays
Peace to Vic and his family and friends.
Joy to the world?

new tune. Rapids. i like.

Rapids

How we all know this will work for her?
A wild bird on a vine
When the time comes there will be none
Won’t even have to why
Smiles and shakes and cars and bars
A blur gone too fast
When we’re old stories we will tell
About the slick glass

Rapids on a Monday
Let me go my way
Believe in these dreams
It may be what is seems

White girls and fields of green today
Beaches are now our goal
Our life will ride thru the south and north
Fail that I will be whole
A vision may satisfy only one boy
Find it is the toys
Grace grows big in the year oh nine
Sittin’ on the porch I will be fine.

Dreamt long nights and down dirt roads
Busted tire and a frown
Realize I may be trying harder than
I can be put down
Consumed by overtime richly throughout my days
Corn barley rye and wine
Face up night time schemes and fire side lights
Sittin’ on my porch I’ll be fine

Rapids on a Monday
Let me go my way
Believe in these dreams
It may be what is seems

be well

athens, ga music is thick

i know alot of musicians in athens, ga.
ALOT.
i have played in more than a dozen bands in the past 7 years i have lived here.
i will spare you the list.
but some names i wanna get out there here... that you may or may not know. you needs to check out...click the links listen to their music go out and support there art buy a couple tracks.

T.T. Mahoney & the Standard 8

Nuclear Spring


Betsy Franck and the Bareknuckle Band

So there is a start...
check them out i will be back with you shortly with some more goodies...