the graze

Upcoming shows:

8/6/2008 McLeod Residence; Seattle, WA; w/David Bavas, Virgin of the Birds

The graze is the solo recording/performing project of Seattle songwriter Louis O'Callaghan.

Sounds: the graze plays indie folk/rock songs featuring Beatlesque song structures, with vocals and guitars reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel and Nirvana. As a recording project it includes the above plus drums, bass, more guitars, and the occasional keyboard instrument. Live, these duties are sometimes fulfilled by Sam Jansons, Jeffrey Henry, and Seth Howard, respectively, otherwise O'Callaghan appears solo. The graze has been compared to Elliott Smith, Beck, Nick Drake, Thom Yorke, Jeff Mangum, and Jeff Tweedy. Influences also include Cat Power, Mirah, the Microphones, the Softies, the Shins, Death Cab for Cutie, Grant Lee Buffalo, Soundgarden, Built to Spill, Low, Radiohead, Azure Ray, and Modest Mouse.

May 2007 Demo: Eight new original songs and one cover, highlighting the graze's continuing development as a songwriter and recordist. Unlike last year's demo, this one comes with a track listing, but you can still see what the tracks are down there on the right.

May 2006 Demo: Six new original songs and one cover, compiled for the graze's May 2006 Northwest mini-tour. If you bought the demo at a show and are wondering what the tracks are, look on the right side of this webpage and scroll down a bit.

Album: Released in 2004, Iowa Anvil is ten songs of melodic, hook-laden, lo-fi indie melancholia in sparse guitar-and-vocal arrangements as well as full-on rock. It was played at a number of radio stations around the country and received a fair share of press.

Critics Say:

"...praise should be lavished on the Graze, the one-man project of songwriter Louis O'Callaghan. The band's self-released debut, Iowa Anvil, is full of tender-hearted laments and wrenching ballads. His tentative voice holds the perfect blend of agony and restraint."
- Tizzy Asher, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Excellent debut from this local one man band 'the Graze' (Louis O'Callaghan). Passionate, heartfelt songs inspired by Elliott Smith or Nick Drake but with is own original voice. Great songs with the right amount of production and subtle guitar arrangement. Great debut."
- John Richards, KEXP 90.3 FM Seattle

"Regardless of the inevitable comparisons and mentioning of Neutral Milk Hotel, Elliott Smith, Beck, the vague, occasional whispers of something even Beatles-like and a hum of Nirvana-sprinkled tension, The Graze navigates its way through a rugged and yet vulnerable emo landscape that's both fresh and familiar for their audience."
- CD Baby

"...the Graze's Iowa Anvil is a highly entertaining and consistently strong first full-length..."
- Tom Scanlon, Seattle Times

"This CD is really fucking good."
- J.R. Zufelt, Music Director, KRUA 88.1 FM Anchorage

See more press.

Bio: O'Callaghan is a veteran of several Seattle bands, having played in Log Lady, Utah Anvil, Summerset Frisbee (members of the Delusions and Built to Spill), and with Daniel G. Harmann. He currently plays in Rosyvelt and Brent Amaker and the Rodeo.

Booking/Contact:

thegraze@j-shirt.com
c/o J-Shirt Records
PO Box 85133
Seattle, WA 98145

PS: Four recordings appear on Ball of Wax compilations volumes 2, 4, 6, and 7 -- click here for more info.