Tonefarmer
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2000 | SELF
Music
Press
"While Where You Go may be brief, it is never slight. It's always a wonderful experience, finding an artist who can say so much and leave a vast impression on you over the course of six songs, and Tonefarmer have won me over. Does the world still like intelligent music? I hope so, for Tonefarmer's sake; they have quietly discovered a wonderful pop-song formula, and it's merely a matter of time until the world soon discovers their magic. Still, an excellent record like Where You Go should not go unheard; luckily, I have this distinct feeling that it won't." - Mundane Sounds
"While Where You Go may be brief, it is never slight. It's always a wonderful experience, finding an artist who can say so much and leave a vast impression on you over the course of six songs, and Tonefarmer have won me over. Does the world still like intelligent music? I hope so, for Tonefarmer's sake; they have quietly discovered a wonderful pop-song formula, and it's merely a matter of time until the world soon discovers their magic. Still, an excellent record like Where You Go should not go unheard; luckily, I have this distinct feeling that it won't." - Mundane Sounds
"Hamrick and Co. have crafted a collection of compelling songs that stand as the best of their impressive discography... highly memorable and spine-tingling melodies” - Cincinnati CityBeat
"Hamrick and Co. have crafted a collection of compelling songs that stand as the best of their impressive discography... highly memorable and spine-tingling melodies” - Cincinnati CityBeat
This Cincinnati trio shows an interesting perspective on writing pop alternative songs that break the current mold. The result is a very mature effort with songs that are catchy without being generic, lively without being too loud, and intense without being overblown.
- Music Morsels
This Cincinnati trio shows an interesting perspective on writing pop alternative songs that break the current mold. The result is a very mature effort with songs that are catchy without being generic, lively without being too loud, and intense without being overblown.
- Music Morsels
Have you been wondering where all of the really poetic, emotionally driven songwriters have been hiding lately? Well you can find a few of them in (the band) Tonefarmer…an amazing display of audio creativity and musical talent.
~ Shane Miller
- Cincymusic.com
Have you been wondering where all of the really poetic, emotionally driven songwriters have been hiding lately? Well you can find a few of them in (the band) Tonefarmer…an amazing display of audio creativity and musical talent.
~ Shane Miller
- Cincymusic.com
Tonefarmer's music? It has all the elements of why a good pop song can make every bone feel good at the same time…A great sense of melody, melodrama, storyline and sound…
- mp3.com.AU
Tonefarmer's music? It has all the elements of why a good pop song can make every bone feel good at the same time…A great sense of melody, melodrama, storyline and sound…
- mp3.com.AU
Their work seems to float between upbeat, easy pop and more intense, at times haunting, songs. The lyrics are emotive and heartfelt…the catchy lines will rattle in your head days after hearing them.
~ Alisha Woolery
- Gannett
Their work seems to float between upbeat, easy pop and more intense, at times haunting, songs. The lyrics are emotive and heartfelt…the catchy lines will rattle in your head days after hearing them.
~ Alisha Woolery
- Gannett
Discography
Recreation (2001)
Where You Go (2003)
Serotonin EP (2004)
Meanwhile (2007)
Helium-3 (2012)
Photos
Bio
The brainchild of songwriter Rob Hamrick (vocals, guitar, guitar synth) and drummer John Miracle, Tonefarmer officially launched back in the summer of 2000, following the addition of Chris Mundy (bass, vocals). This power-pop-trio version of the band promptly set about writing their debut set, RECREATION, recorded and co-produced by John Curley of the Afghan Whigs at Ultrasuede Studio in Cincinnati. Two years of heavy gigging, a CAMMY Award, and a CEA Award Nomination soon followed.
As the band's momentum expanded during the early 2000s, so did its reach. This lead to their sophomore effort, WHERE YOU GO (EP) being tracked and mixed at the renowned Dairy Studios in London, England, in cahoots with Engineer-Producer, Pete Lewis, known for his work with Pulp, James, Goldfrapp, Massive Attack, Elton John, Julia Fordham, and many other UK notables.
By the mid-2000s, Tonefarmer had adopted a more organic approach to writing and recording, evident on their third release, SEROTONIN (EP) recorded by the Cincinnati-based producer, Ashley Shepherd (Peter Frampton, Bad Veins, Walk the Moon). And by 2006, Tonefarmer was a duo whose DIY ethic took center stage during the conception of their forth album: a full-length effort named MEANWHILE, which was written, recorded, and mixed entirely by Hamrick and Mundy at their home studios.
By 2007, Tonefarmer had become a three-piece once again with the addition of Kevin Welch (lead guitar, vocals). Joined by local journeyman Todd Drake on drums and percussion, this line-up gigged steadily for several years in and around Cincinnati....All the while, album number five was also taking shape.
During 2011 and 2012, Tonefarmer teamed once again with producer-engineer John Curley (just prior to his relaunch of the Afghan Whigs) for the band's latest full-length effort, HELIUM-3, a more expansive and progressive sounding set that helped point the band in the musical direction they've now adopted.
Early 2014 saw the addition of permanent forth member and collaborator, Bill Bullock (drums, percussion, electronics) whose presence has reignited Tonefarmer's more aggressive and adventurous sonic leanings. With a bold new crop of original compositions in the works, recording time planned for fall/winter 2014, and new bookings being steadily added, Tonefarmer is poised to loudly and joyfully reestablish their role as Cincinnati's elder statesmen of prog-pop atmospherics.
Band Members
Links
