Melville Band Bio

Melville’s Maquette is just that: a
small, preliminary model. The sixsong EP released on October 24,
2013, is a starting point — an
outline to be expanded upon, a
preview of what’s to come, but
perhaps more than anything an
exercise that will enable the fourpiece, Portland-based band to
chart completely new sonic
territory.
Future unknown, the model currently on display is the combined effort of a band
in the making since 2011 when songwriter and vocalist Ryan T. Jacobs first
debuted Melville at the LaurelThirst Pub. Since then, he’s found not just a
steadfast lineup but also a family in band members Tim Skerpon (drums),
Thomas Yates (bass) and Jim Meyer (keys).
While today Melville might peg themselves as melodic indie rock, somewhat
nebulously in an aural area “between Radiohead and Americana,” as described
by Jacobs, Melville knows this is just the beginning.
Melville’s introductory offering, Maquette, was recorded at Type Foundry Studios
with Adam Selzer (M. Ward, Sallie Ford, Blind Pilot, The Decemberists, Peter
Buck of R.E.M., She & Him) and mastered by Gus Elg at Sky Onion (Typhoon,
Nurses, Horse Feathers, Blue Cranes), and has garnered radio play on Portland
stations like KINK, KNRK and KZME.
Much as life evolves around the whims of the world, so does the music of
Melville as the band learns each other’s talents and idiosyncrasies, becoming
comfortable in their own skin. All multi-instrumentalists and experienced
songwriters, good intuition is perfected by critical ears and a mentality that this
band’s sonic palette is limitless.
And while this exploratory attitude is unflinching, what’s sure not to change is
Melville’s delivery: expertly crafted, emotive songs. Drenched in earnestness,
Jacobs’ visceral vibrato personalizes each lyric for every listener, whether
through headphones or while seeing the band perform live. “It’s music that
moves you” , which is exactly why Yates was adamant about joining the band as
a permanent member following a one-off Mississippi Studios performance in
2012.
As the band grows together interpersonally, so will the music transform
sonically. Founded on openness and a collaborative spirit, there’s a tangible
longevity to Melville that begs the four-piece to explore and discover new layers
to its sound. For now, Maquette is the base layer—but Melville will be charting a
fresh course from here.
Melville Portland, Oregon | 541.659.9033 | [email protected] | melvilletheband.com