The Gulf began in 2003 when two recent grads, keyboardist Adam Brock and guitarist Adam Garland began writing songs together. Over the next two years bassist/pedal steel player Dave Barbaree, trumpeter Brian McGrath, and drummer Steve Turcott would join to form the permanent lineup. Although misfits in Boston’s music scene, The Gulf got regular shows at clubs like TT the Bears, the Middle East, and the Lizard Lounge.
With constant lineup changes, The Gulf recorded the seven-song EP “Mind in a Helmet” in 2005. “Get the Feeling”, “Nothing but Neon” and “Missionary” received local airplay.
In 2007. the Gulf released their first full-length album, "Chinatown". The album was recorded in secret at a Chinatown language school, where Adam Brock held a day job. Noticing the building’s lax management and unused rooms, he furtively changed the locks of a fifth floor storage room and converted it into a makeshift studio. At night, when the building was deserted, recording sessions took place. This went on for a year before the band got the boot, just as the album was finished.
The band formed a label, Ultracold Records, in order to distribute the album though IODA (independent online distribution alliance). Two songs “Note to Garland” and “You Fell for it too” are licensed and in circulation on Starbucks in-store music network. Others have received airplay on college radio.
Throughout 2007, the Gulf toured to promote “Chinatown” playing the indie circuit from Montreal to Tennessee
The Gulf's sophomore album is currently in post production and will be released in 2009. Dave Barbaree has since moved to Philadelphia and has founded Retro City Productions, a full-service recording and video production studio, and Adam Brock now lives in New York City, but the Gulf remains active recording and playing whenever possible.
REVIEWS
“dreamy, orchestral indie”
Washington Post
“…a really rich set of songs–mystery and poetics in the songs, smartly arranged and played cliche-free from beginning to end as well!”
David Greenberger, National Public Radio (NPR)
“One of the most original acts on the current Boston scene…Equipped with a larger-than-life outlook and a keen ability to produce insightful, intelligent music, The Gulf may soon be everywhere all at once…a timeless quality rarely found in today’s hipster elite”
Northeast Performer
“rich nuance and stark imagery…a magical walk down any street at night …orginally gifted…an album of extraordinary measure.”
Metronome Magazine
"The Gulf applies traditional roots instrumentation—pianos, guitars, lap steels, trumpets, cellos, violins—to atmospheric, neo-psychedelic compositions. Their eclecticism and ambitious approach to exploring the surreal outer-limits of the rock format recalls Pink Floyd, but where Floyd championed "space-rock," The Gulf is very much of this Earth. As atmospheric and expansive as their sound gets, at their core The Gulf are grounded; by the familiar, organic sounds of the acoustic instruments they use, by the do-it-yourself ethos of indie-rock, by their lyrics, dreamlike but rooted in raw emotion and earthy imagery."
Insite Magazine
“glorious”
Boston Metro
“twangy and bluesy–we like it”
Boston Globe
“I’m having a total I-think-this-is-my-new-favorite-band moment.”
Portland Press Herald
“really, really, amazing…my new favorite band!”
Band in Boston Podcast (bandinbostonpodcast.com)
"an intriguing album large in scope.songs materialize like a forgotten word on the tip of your tongue.”
Delusions of Adequacy (http://www.adequacy.net)
CLICK HERE to buy The Gulf's debut album "Chinatown" online.
Check out the animated videos by Dan Leninger below.
"Waking" original version by The Gulf. Animated by Dan Leninger.
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"Nothing But Neon" by The Gulf. Aninmated by Dan Leninger.
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