The Lonely Forest are a quartet of young men from Anacortes, WA who play simple yet infectious indie rock music. They are about to release their newest record Arrows via Trans Records – Chris Walla’s (producer/guitarist for Death Cab For Cutie) new record label – on March 22nd. Walla also enjoyed the band’s music so much, he decided to produce and engineer the new record as well.
For Fans Of: Death Cab For Cutie, Built To Spill, Wintersleep, and Band of Horses
Responses From: Tony Ruland  

How did the band come together? How have you grown since you guys started?
The band started in late ’04 when Eric, Braydn, and myself decided to drink a bunch of wine and “jam” in our garage. A few weeks later Braydn invited John over to try singing and all of a sudden we had a band…

The band has grown in the way that, everyone seems to really understand their roles. As apposed to the free for all that it started out as.

What do you have to offer that other bands don’t? What sets you apart from a lot of the other newer bands out there today?
I’m not sure what sets us apart from other bands. However, I do feel that our strong point as a band is that we’re brutally honest and don’t feel like we’re “cool”. Sincerity seems to be lacking in lots of today’s music.
 
How is the live show compared to the general sound of material that’s been released?
I think we’re very energetic live and you can really tell when we’re having fun. I suppose that’s hard to get across on a record.
 
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
It’s different for all of us. Personally, I’ve been listening to The National, The Black Ryder, and the latest Foals record.
 
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
We’re really excited about our label. Having the opportunity to have a nationally distributed record as apposed to mostly regional is pretty amazing.
 
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
We’re all giant nerds so there is always stupid stuff happening.  Between eating 23yr old packs of gum, tripping over each other on stage, knocking over gear on stage, crowd surfing, buying “faux” stuffed cats in New Mexico, we’re always having a good time.
 
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Have FUN!

Check out The Lonely Forest on Facebook, Myspace, and Ping.