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Offline maxyrama  
#1 Posted : 26 January 2011 15:37:39(UTC)
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An up-and-coming experimental act hailing from Washington, D.C., Fern consists of triplets Ursula, Emery, and Dio Kempe. A rather unusual combination for a band, but as their self-titled EP showcases, it works. And damn good too.

Self-Titled EP (Released: January 2011)
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-Tracklisting-

I. Duskbringer
II. Hercules
III. Never Still
IV. Tarnation
V. Because We Enjoy Wrecks

Consisting of five tracks total, the EP quite vividly paints a picture of cold, bitter landscapes and seemingly inescapable fates. Taking cues from obscure influences, the Kempe sisters belt out wholly wordless vocals. As a result, their cacophonous voices echo throughout, resembling that of trained opera singers (and as it so happens, a little digging reveals the sisters did in fact attend an opera conservatory in their youths). At the same time they swirl their respective guitars around the constant, thunderous drumming of their brother, who at times sounds like a man absolutely possessed. All of this combined creates a bleak journey into frightening depths that one can only hope to pull themselves out of by the record's end. Whatever lies in store for this fledgling act will certainly be interesting; definitely ones to watch.

Edited by user 07 February 2011 19:04:31(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Fern (Alt Rock/Post-Punk/Dream Pop/Lo-Fi/Experimental/Whatever Else You Wanna Call 'Em)
Ursula Kempe - Guitar / Vocals
Emery Kempe - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Dio Kempe - Drums / Keyboards / Misc. Effects
Offline C4AJoh  
#2 Posted : 26 January 2011 21:46:50(UTC)
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Stacey Walton: This looks really good. You guys are promising.

OOC: If your new to this then that's a pretty solid start, very good stuff. :)
Offline DistortedAudio  
#3 Posted : 27 January 2011 02:21:30(UTC)
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Whoa, an underground gem like this only comes out every few years. Keeping my eye on these guys.
- Pete Hampshire
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Offline maxyrama  
#4 Posted : 27 January 2011 08:50:26(UTC)
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An Interview With Fern

After shambling onto the scene with their atmospheric and moody debut Self-Titled EP, Fern has been enjoying nearly a month's worth of airplay on various radio stations across the country. As such they've developed a small yet dedicated following that has prompted them into playing live shows at clubs and dives around the D.C. area. We caught one of these performances this past Saturday night and interviewed them after we managed to pull our jaws off the ground.

Interviewer: So you guys definitely went all out tonight! Wow!

Ursula: [Laughs] It was a good night. The vibes we got from the crowd were overwhelming positive.

Interviewer: In just a couple of weeks you've managed to make a modest impression. Did you ever think things would go right for you this quickly?

Emery: Go right for us? [Giggles] Umm, I think we still have some improving to do before we start thinking we're--you know--good.

Dio: These two can barely play guitar as is. I just beat the drums to whatever beat they managed to stumble out with to be honest.

Ursula: Now you know our horrible secret. Everything we come up with is by pure accident. [Grins]

Emery: The good news is that we sound less like drowned cats and resemble actual singers now! You should hear the rough cuts from the EP. [Visibly shudders] Really, really rough cuts.

Interviewer: I think you're selling yourselves short!

Dio: You wouldn't be the first to say something like that.

Interviewer: Lets talk about the songs you guys played tonight. I could easily pick out the ones from the EP... But what about those others, hmm?

Emery: Believe it or not between Ursula and I we have a ton of untitled material. So we sort of look at one another and sign to one another which one to play next. And that kind of leaves poor Dio out of the loop!

Dio: They tell me nothing dude. I pretty much have five seconds where I hear the opening bars and have to use that alone to figure out what the hell is going on. It's automatic for me now.

Ursula: He makes it worse than it sounds. Big crybaby.

Emery: Oh yeah.

[Dio gives both his sisters the finger, which they then laugh at]

Interviewer: Ouch. Well, may I ask if you have any plans to release anything else within the coming months? And I understand you were signed to a friend's label that released the EP, but...?

Ursula: Like Em said we have a lot of material. But it's all jumbled up because we are the two most unorganized bitches you will ever meet. [Laughs] So we'll have to sort all that out and find out what works and what doesn't. And as for your second question, yeah, that's true. But the label folded not long after the EP released. Our friend likes to joke and say we bankrupted the label, but the truth is he's shitty at managing money. Blowing everything on strippers and booze isn't productive, mm'kay?

Interviewer: That means you're labeless then, correct?

Emery: Yep! And that kind of sucks. So we're hoping someone will swoop in and take us under their wing. I feel like we should shout it from the rooftops of something.

Interviewer: Well, I don't think you'll have a problem with that for much longer...

Dio: Oh you flatterer you.

Interviewer: Welp, I think that's about it. Any last words?

Ursula: Eat your veggies kids.

Emery: What she said.

Dio: Got five bucks I can borrow, dude?
Fern (Alt Rock/Post-Punk/Dream Pop/Lo-Fi/Experimental/Whatever Else You Wanna Call 'Em)
Ursula Kempe - Guitar / Vocals
Emery Kempe - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Dio Kempe - Drums / Keyboards / Misc. Effects
Offline Matticus  
#5 Posted : 27 January 2011 09:57:56(UTC)
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Damion: Oh my god! That was so totally amazingly fucking awesome man! You guys are so good, gonna be huge! You ever need help producing your stuff just buzz me dude!
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Offline DistortedAudio  
#6 Posted : 27 January 2011 10:08:23(UTC)
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If you guys play your cards right, you could be the American Melt-Banana.
-Laura Paige
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I feel numb, born with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun


EARN BY WORKING LIKE A DOG
SPEND LIKE ROYALTY
Offline maxyrama  
#7 Posted : 30 January 2011 16:01:26(UTC)
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Fern Provides Surprise Performance on Maryland College Radio Station

If it's one thing the listeners of WUZZ 98.9 were expecting, it sure wasn't an impromptu performance and interview by D.C. experimental trio Fern. Spanning the entire two hour segment known as undERGround is LOVE, the band put on a particularly charismatic show. Showcasing a whopping thirteen tracks, some mostly unheard of during their still short life-span, the Kempe siblings proved that what they have to offer is quite potent. While their EP release is certainly something to behold, it is frankly just the tip of the iceberg. Using a multitude of effects (delays, loops, synths, and everything else), everything quickly became a flurry of half-spoken phrases, aggressive shouts, and piercing arpeggios. Matters were made even more confusing by the way the group transitioned into each song without so much as a pause or announcement as to what they were titled.

As for the pieces themselves... woah. Earsplitting, grimy, sludgy, and trashy are terms that comes to mind in relation to them. And also at times, funky, believe it or not. One track in particular (which from the lyrics we could barely discern may be titled 'Disco Witch') had the typical toe-tapping 70s beat that backed most dance floor hits of that era. Just listening you can imagine Emery, Dio, and Ursula grooving out in the studio with huge smiles on their faces. It's fun images like this that makes them so damn endearing. That and, of course, the down-to-earth modesty that the interview that followed so vividly displayed. The band talked excitedly about the upcoming split with fellow rockers Book of Love, which they described as a massive opportunity that they couldn't pass up. Indeed, it's not everyday a barely out-there act gets to collaborate with already established artists right out the gate.

All we have to say is that if you missed this... Well, sucks for you!

Edited by user 30 January 2011 16:03:52(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Fern (Alt Rock/Post-Punk/Dream Pop/Lo-Fi/Experimental/Whatever Else You Wanna Call 'Em)
Ursula Kempe - Guitar / Vocals
Emery Kempe - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Dio Kempe - Drums / Keyboards / Misc. Effects
Offline maxyrama  
#8 Posted : 07 February 2011 19:00:53(UTC)
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Two New Songs Uploaded To Fern's Myspace

Out of the blue comes two new songs added to Fern's Myspace. Uploaded around midnight with the only communication from the band being "Enjoy this", the previously unheard tracks are real bangers. Infused with the dark, gothic-industrial sound the threesome has openly embraced, they're perfect for those who prefer to listen to their music late at night with the volume on their headphones turned all the way up.

Track I: A Sudden Drowning For All (6:47)
Track II: The Well (7:20)

Sounds Like:
Fern (Alt Rock/Post-Punk/Dream Pop/Lo-Fi/Experimental/Whatever Else You Wanna Call 'Em)
Ursula Kempe - Guitar / Vocals
Emery Kempe - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Dio Kempe - Drums / Keyboards / Misc. Effects
Offline Squeege  
#9 Posted : 07 February 2011 22:57:55(UTC)
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Johnny: Beautiful, just absolutely beautiful. This is going in my album collection for sure.
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