Dear County’s sophomore release Last Exit Oakland, available April 23rd on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records, is an eclectic 12 song offering that seamlessly blends the Oakland based band’s unique brand of throwback Rock 'n’ Roll, California Country, and 60’s Soul.  It’s a modern take on retro stylings, equal parts hook-filled and dreamlike, laced with heartbreaking vocals, three-part harmonies and gritty reverb-laden guitars. Last Exit Oakland was produced by Raymond Richards (Local Natives, The Wild Reeds, LCD Soundsystem) with Dear County at B-Side Studios in Portland, OR - additional recording by Arrica Rose and Mark W. Lynn at O2 and The Treehouse in Oakland, CA. *

   Mark W. Lynn (lead guitar, vocals) and Arrica Rose (lead vocals, guitar) met on a spring evening at the Huntington Beach Library in Southern CA when Arrica was still a teenager and Mark was just a few years older. Her local punk band (Uxby) was opening for his touring band (Uranium 9 Volt, Lookout Records). They had a brief conversation involving their mutual Italian heritage and New York family roots. Fast forward many moons later, they re-met in San Francisco at Hotel Utah under similar circumstances. The stars aligned and their bands once again shared a stage, Arrica playing with her project Arrica Rose & the …’s Mark with his, The Devil’s Own. After the show, Mark recalled their initial meeting, much to Arrica’s surprise. Within a few months a long distance love began with Arrica arranging to spend a lot more time in the Bay Area (traveling up from Los Angeles). Just like that, Dear County was born. 

   Mark and Arrica began writing songs intending to start a simple classic country band. But given their vast and eclectic love of many genres their songwriting expanded toward 60’s Soul, 70’s Rock n’ Roll, and California Country while also adding the impossible to avoid Indie Rock influences. Drawing inspiration from artists like Gram Parsons, Eagles, Dusty Springfield, Neko Case, Big Star, and The Replacements the aim of Dear County soon evolved into paying respects to their influences while creating something uniquely their own. The project also expanded into a full band and now includes bandmates Michael Smartt (drums), and Steve Boyd (bass, vocals).

 

*full credits:

Last Exit Oakland produced by Raymond Richards with Dear County at B-side Studios Portland, OR
Additional recording by Arrica Rose and Mark W. Lynn at O2 and The Treehouse Oakland, CA
Mixed by Jason Mezilis at Organic Audio Recorders
Mastered by Dan Garcia at Radio Hill Santa Monica
Artwork by Talia Gavish