Quiet Countries

Quiet Countries is the alias of Alan Singley and the Pants Machine guitarist, Leb Borgerson. Started under the name Imminent Music Company in 2002, after the break-up of post rock/jam band, Laserhawk, Leb performed melancholy songs centered around his looping guitar and vocals. The named changed to Quiet Countries at a show the Halloween of that year, inspired in part by the addition of a fairly cheap drum machine to the "line up". In 2003 he released a limited edition EP on Lucky Madison Records called The Quiet Countries EP. This consisted of early versions of songs from his live set, sound experiments recorded at Sky Onion, and fleshed-out improvisations. In February 2006 Quiet Countries debut full-length, "No One Makes a Sound" came out, also on Lucky Madison. Recorded over two years at various Portland studios, this release contained most of the music in the live set since late 2002 and featured members of Point Juncture Washington, Talkdemonic, and the Snuggle Ups .
Quiet Countries has recently completed "The Karate Williams Diaries" to be released early in 2009 on Central Service Records. A concept album of sorts, it consists of work done during 2007 at Leb's home studio. That year while at work, Leb cut the tendons, artery and nerves in his left index finger. This resulted in an extended time off from playing guitar and more time focused on other musical projects, some of which ended up as the Diaries. With the exception of one song that Leb sings on, and the addition of talented Portland MC, A.E.D., on another, it is a collection of bombastic, beat heavy instrumentals filled with dense synth melodies and swirling, textured harmonies.
Leb is also finishing up the next Quiet Countries CD called "The Ancient Motorcade" and will put together a full band to perform the music from this record once it is completed.