hello damascus

Portland, Oregon's Antler Records released Hello Damascus' debut album Harvest Dolls in July 2006 on vinyl. As an olive branch to those without record players, the entire album Harvest Dolls can now be downloaded at last.fm.

In terms of indie rock, I tend to like what I like and not much else, and I know I like Hello Damascus. I like that its only release is vinyl-only on a punk record label. I like Matt Lounsbury's baritone. I like how soft-edged and unassuming the whole thing is. I love the song "Etheridge," with its three-minute snare roll and winsome, melancholy guitar melodies that make it perfect empty, nighttime backroad music. Perfect for distant mountains reflecting half-moons, or desert floors reflecting starlight. Perfect for mourning the day. I'd like it if you liked this band, too. -- Michael Byrne of Willamette Week and Local Cut

. the dark portents and lush arrangements of the cleverly constructed pop songs on its debut album, Harvest Dolls, sounds like it could easily be situated in Will Oldham's Louisville, Ky., the National's New York, or David Berman's (Silver Jews) Nashville, Tenn. -- Dave Clifford of Willamette Week

Local boys Hello Damascus are like some kind of super combo of modern folk, a little Wilco, some Pedro the Lion, and some sad, lonesome Low. Their new [album], Harvest Dolls, features killer backing vocals from Lisa Molinaro of Talkdemonic and Decemberists fame. -- Portland Mercury (12/28/06)Once again, from the first touch-down of the needle, I liked what I was hearing. But it wasn't until the sixteenth listen, the twenty-seventh, even the fifty-fourth spin for some tracks, that the songs cautiously but obligingly started to reveal their full capacities. -- Charlie B. of Nerd Litter blog

In the last year or so, Hello Damascus could be seen live with DeVotchka, Catfish Haven, alaska!, Long Winters, Pit er Pat, Matteah Baim, Jesse Sykes, Scout Niblett, Norfolk & Western and Dolorean. For the first part of 2007, the band will be concentrating on writing and recording their follow up to 2006's Harvest Dolls. Hello Damascus' debut album "Harvest Dolls," commercially available in vinyl format only, can be acquired directly from the record label Antler Records. (Label owner Rico Myszewski at kahveh@hotmail.com.) Those near Portland, Ore. can also find the record at Anthem Records (SE Belmont) or Jackpot Records locations (W. Burnside and SE Hawthorne). In addition to kicking off the album, Hello Damascus' song "Randy" can be heard on the 2006 PDX Pop Now! CD compilation.You can order the compilation here.The new Portland compilation Pop Tomorrow has chosen Hello Damascus' song "Etheridge" for its first volume. You can order the compilation here.