SPILL TRACK OF THE DAY: UMBRELLA CO. – “COLD WAR SUNDAE”

UMBRELLA CO. – “COLD WAR SUNDAE”

INITIAL EP (2018)

Independent

Providence, RI

April 17, 2018

“Cold War Sundae” comes as the first track off the band band’s debut EP Initial. It explores the search for satisfaction, pleasure, and learning to live in the moment. Learning to enjoy the journey and appreciate the small things in life can add up, and confronting that struggle that is universally relatable.

Bio

In late 2015, singer/songwriter Jon Shimmin and guitarist Harrison McClain – both recent imports to Rhode Island –  met at a now-defunct Providence bar to hash out the sound for Umbrella Co. The pair started work on a handful of songs before teaming up with bassist Keith Benjamin and playing a few shows around Providence.  After a few adjustments, Umbrella Co. became Shimmin, McClain, Chris Kelley (bass guitar) and Mike Krasnonos (drums).

With a hard to categorize sound in mind, “it’s kind of aggressive pop/rock meets luscious, chimey, happy depressing-sounding songs…,” McClain explains, the group has released its first EP, Initial.

The bandmates each bring impressive backgrounds to the endeavor: McClain has played in bands across Florida, Nashville, Baltimore and Boston; Kelley played in indie-rock band “Broadcaster” and currently moonlights in The Invisible Hours; and Cleveland transplant Krasnonos played in “The Waite,” and currently lends talent to “No Hands.”

Shimmin, who hails from Chicago, has been composing and recording music for a lot of years. He figured it was a good thing back in 2008 when he came across a YouTube video of some random guy covering Nothing Kills, one of the songs he’d written. In fact, Shimmin’s songwriting talent captured the ear of actor Peter Stormare in 2013, when Stormare asked him to cover a song for the 2014 album his record label was working on, Ramases: Complete Discography. Shimmin (recording as “Napolean” at the time), gathered an orchestra in his tiny Rogers Park apartment and recorded the piece to be used in the Tribute section of the album (Golden Landing). He continued recording as “Napoleon” until he teamed up with McClain. Since then, Shimmin’s song-writing style has morphed from a more “indie-with-impressive-orchestration-rock” to the hauntingly catchy style on the band’s debut album.

Artist’s Quote

“Cold War Sundae” is about the search for something pleasurable and living in the moment of that search. The item or feeling you’re after might be so trivial and minor, but if given the right situation and being mindful of living in the “now”  – that time and experience – can really be a moment to hang on to and fully appreciate.” -Jon Shimmin (vocalist)

Artist Links