Old North State
Encyclopedia
Old North State is an American Folk band from Durango, Colorado, formed in 2009. The band consists of founding members Dillon Wray (Acoustic Guitar and Vocals) and Jantzen Wray (Banjo, Acoustic Guitar and Vocals). The band released their debut studio album, Long Road Home independently in July 2011.
Biography
Old North State formed in the Winter of 2009 when brothers Dillon and Jantzen decided to step away from electric based projects and focus on a more simple way of writing. They relocated to Durango, CO from Hendersonville, NC to pursue their music career. After 6 months and "The High Country EP" going under the name Allgood, the Brothers picked up a bass player (Stephen Sellers) and changed the name to Old North State. Under this lineup Old North State had their first festival bookings, Out of state tours and tracked the debut full length album, Long Road Home.
In April 2011 the Brothers parted ways with Sellers due to the growing amount of time they spent on the road. "It wasn't long until we were on the road full time" says Dillon Wray in a statement on the subject on the bands Facebook. "We wanted to be on the road and Stephen wants to stay in Colorado for now. That's Ok. We're all still friends."
At Stephen's last show in Mancos, CO, Dillon and Jantzen met Chayce Drummed in the crowd. They hit it off and began touring within a week. Bringing in a drum kit changed the sound of the band. They became a more refined styling of Folk Rock rather than the Stomp Bluegrass they started as.
Long Road Home (2010-2011)
In December 2010, Old North State went into Scooter's Place (Durango, CO) to record their first full length album with Scott "Scooter" Smith. The band made this album on a shoe string budget. The entire album was tracked live in 3 hours. With the tracking finished ONS sent the files to longtime friend, Jaron D. Pearlman to Produce, Mix and Master the project out of Atlanta, GA.
With the album being released in July 2011 The Band embarked on a cross country tour entitled The Long Road Home Tour.
The Lost Album (2011)
May 2011 The Band went back into the studio to track the follow up album to Long Road Home. It was recorded live at Scooter's Place in Durango, CO with Ryan Zernis (Waiting On Trial) helping out with the double bass. The album produced 11 tracks but ultimately Jantzen and Dillon decided to hold it back from being released in order to make room for an alternate follow up EP being produced by Ace Enders (The Early November, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business) Autumn 2011. Several Songs on the Lost Album have been given out in Facebook promotions including "Professor Marcoe, Thank God You're Here", "Carolina Can't Keep It's Own", and "And We Sing." The recordings of "True Love" and "Jackson Is For Lovers" is set to appear on the 2011 Holiday Ep "Let It Snow" being released December 2nd with a limited physical pressing of 100 copies.
Let It Snow Ep (2011)
In November 2011 Old North State decided to record and release a Holiday EP to promote the "Let It Snow Tour 2011." The Ep is set for a digital release 12/1/11 and physical 12/6/11. This EP contains rerecorded unreleased holiday songs "Carolina Christmas", "Let It Snow" as well as rerecorded songs from Long Road Home, "Soma In The Snow", and "True Love" and a cover of "Dallas", The first single off Rookie of The Year's Acoustic Ep, "Along for The Ride" (2011).
Current Members
Past Members
Biography
Old North State formed in the Winter of 2009 when brothers Dillon and Jantzen decided to step away from electric based projects and focus on a more simple way of writing. They relocated to Durango, CO from Hendersonville, NC to pursue their music career. After 6 months and "The High Country EP" going under the name Allgood, the Brothers picked up a bass player (Stephen Sellers) and changed the name to Old North State. Under this lineup Old North State had their first festival bookings, Out of state tours and tracked the debut full length album, Long Road Home.
In April 2011 the Brothers parted ways with Sellers due to the growing amount of time they spent on the road. "It wasn't long until we were on the road full time" says Dillon Wray in a statement on the subject on the bands Facebook. "We wanted to be on the road and Stephen wants to stay in Colorado for now. That's Ok. We're all still friends."
At Stephen's last show in Mancos, CO, Dillon and Jantzen met Chayce Drummed in the crowd. They hit it off and began touring within a week. Bringing in a drum kit changed the sound of the band. They became a more refined styling of Folk Rock rather than the Stomp Bluegrass they started as.
Long Road Home (2010-2011)
In December 2010, Old North State went into Scooter's Place (Durango, CO) to record their first full length album with Scott "Scooter" Smith. The band made this album on a shoe string budget. The entire album was tracked live in 3 hours. With the tracking finished ONS sent the files to longtime friend, Jaron D. Pearlman to Produce, Mix and Master the project out of Atlanta, GA.
With the album being released in July 2011 The Band embarked on a cross country tour entitled The Long Road Home Tour.
The Lost Album (2011)
May 2011 The Band went back into the studio to track the follow up album to Long Road Home. It was recorded live at Scooter's Place in Durango, CO with Ryan Zernis (Waiting On Trial) helping out with the double bass. The album produced 11 tracks but ultimately Jantzen and Dillon decided to hold it back from being released in order to make room for an alternate follow up EP being produced by Ace Enders (The Early November, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business) Autumn 2011. Several Songs on the Lost Album have been given out in Facebook promotions including "Professor Marcoe, Thank God You're Here", "Carolina Can't Keep It's Own", and "And We Sing." The recordings of "True Love" and "Jackson Is For Lovers" is set to appear on the 2011 Holiday Ep "Let It Snow" being released December 2nd with a limited physical pressing of 100 copies.
Let It Snow Ep (2011)
In November 2011 Old North State decided to record and release a Holiday EP to promote the "Let It Snow Tour 2011." The Ep is set for a digital release 12/1/11 and physical 12/6/11. This EP contains rerecorded unreleased holiday songs "Carolina Christmas", "Let It Snow" as well as rerecorded songs from Long Road Home, "Soma In The Snow", and "True Love" and a cover of "Dallas", The first single off Rookie of The Year's Acoustic Ep, "Along for The Ride" (2011).
Current Members
- Dillon Wray - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals (2009-Present)
- Jantzen Wray - Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals (2009-Present)
Past Members
- Stephen Sellers - Bass (2010-2011)
- Chayce Drummond - Drums (2011)