Pressing Strings

Natural, rootsy, rythmic, groovy, soulful, flowing, catchy, and authentic are a handful of adjectives that have been used to describe the Maryland based Pressing Strings. Since they formed in 06' the band has gigged relentlessly playing somewhere between 150-200 shows a year. Along the way they have made a name for themselves throughout the mid-atlantic region.



Singer/songwriters Jordan Sokel and Joshua Kachura met and began collaborating while attending Salisbury University and living in nearby Ocean City, MD. In the beginning they had no intention of forming a band or performing for anyone other than themselves and beach house friends but they soon realized it was set to become something more.
As a duo the band wrote and recorded a number of live tracks and passed them out at shows and around campus. These served as a template for their first studio record. 2008's "Where We Are" eventually gained the attention of critics and radio stations all over Maryland including trendsetters 103.1 WRNR and 89.7 WTMD earning the band a slot WRNR's "Top 103 Artists of 2009". Featuring some of Sokel and Kachura's first steps towards songwriting, the album encompasses the environment in which it was written, with a stripped down, free flowing vibe to it. It sounds like drinking a cold brew on a hot summer day with a group of good friends.
After parting ways with short-lived percussionist, Brad Singh, the duo headed back into the studio to record their sophomore effort.



2010's "Episodes" is a bluesy, folky batch of tunes basically written and developed in the live environment in the months following the release of the first record. As rich as it is raw, the record showcases the bands many different styles along with the help of producer Noel White. The music is full of substance and passionate lyricism combined with White's masterful attention to detail and knowledge of how to use the studio as an instrument itself. It was a new direction for the band featuring a number of seasoned musicians such as guitarist Junior Marvin of The Wailers, veteran bassist Larry Melton, keyboardist Jimmie Jacobs, as well as White and newcomer Bob Novak on drums and percussion. The material continues to be warmly accepted on airwaves throughout the region.
The band continues to maintain a full schedule while managing themselves independently. Right about now they are strumming away, writing for the next record that seems to be coming along faster than expected. Keep an eye out and your ears open for "one of the region's true up and comers".