Missing: The Official
Soundtrack

South of Mainstream (10/11/03)

This is excellent soundtrack music, not so unobtrusive that you can't listen to it away from the movie, but not so in your face that it would detract from the film. The sound is comparable to Folk Implosion or Sebadoh (think of the KIDS soundtrack), with vocals that are quite reminiscent of Lou Barlow. Moody and dark musically, the unique guitar style floats over awesome rhythm that adds to the melancholy and brooding feel of the disc. The vocals are sung in lofi fashion, warm and deep without the polish over overproduction, again matching the style of the music. The disc has five tracks. All are mid-to-slow tempo, probably in keeping with the cinematic flow of the movie (we haven't seen the flick). This makes the songs run together just a bit. A bit more tempo change and a bit of stylistic variety would be a welcome addition to the great vocals and interesting layered sound. I'd very much like to hear what these guys can do on a full length release not tied to a motion picture. I think with a bit of tempo shake-up and a bit of envelope pushing this band could do some pretty fantastic things.
* My Favorites: #1 | Falling Missiles & #5 | Shaking Badly Anthem *Genre: Lo-Fi/Post Punk *Released: 2003 *Rating: 3 out of 5

Daredevil Magazine (10/16/03)

I have to see this movie, cause if the movie is as good as the music this will be an eyecandy for sure!! The soundtrack for "Missing" was delivered by the band Upstate. I´ve never heard about these guys before, but I can say one thing...this music is awesome. Folkie guitar-playing combined with driving beats and fantastic melodies. I was blasted by these guys, cause somehow it sounds like Pink Floyd in their "Dark Side Of The Moon" times. In the info they say that this is Indie Rock. No way...this is awesome music!! I´ve to get a hold of this movie...definitely. You folks out there should get this CD. Jeeeezus f**ing Christ...now!!!
Rating: 7 stars -Ralf Burkart

Dayton City Paper (10/16/03)

Upstate emerges from ex-Dishwater Psychics
Indie film soundtrack results

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are not new in the music scene. Recording lo-fi albums on four-track machines and promoting your band yourself has become a popular trend. With advanced technology, e-mail, computer recording programs and talent, it's easy for musicians from all over the country to combine efforts and record on albums without ever once playing together live. It may seen improbable at first, but it has happened and will continue to happen as long as former Daytonian, guitarist, and vocalist John Wenzel has anything to say about it.

"Technology increasingly allows great virtual collaborations, and it produces an altogether different vibe than if you're practicing in the same room," Wenzel said. "It's more like a game of telephone. As the original idea passes along to the next member, it's subtly changed, absorbing their influences and taking on a new tone."

Wenzel, now a resident of Denver, Colorado and a founding writer for the Sponic 'zine, previously experimented with music via four-track, mail, and overdubbed musical miracles with his former band Dishwater Psychics. From 1999 until its break-up in 2002, the Psychics released five albums, finally calling it quits due to geographic problems and the experimental nature of the group. However, Wenzel did not give up on his vision.

According to Wenzel, having watched Dayton musicians such as Robert Pollard, Dave Doughman of Swearing at Motorists and Nick Eddy record in their basements and living rooms during 1997 made him want to delve deeper into the musical spectrum. Thus, in 2002, Wenzel, along with Chris Jones (on bass) and producer Dan Miller (on guitar, keyboards and backing vocals), who were left over from the Psychics project, found two new members to form a dark indie-folk project, spanning thousands of miles, known as Upstate. Drummer Jamie Heaps from the Dayton jam-band The Maji and guitarist James Focht from Razor Baby joined the project, and the five DIY entrepreneurs have since released their first and only album for Middletown director Joe Bargdill's film, Missing.

Upstate recorded the songs on "Missing: The Original Soundtrack" (2003) before ever hearing about the film. "The songs started as demos I wrote here in Denver. Then the guys in Dayton fleshed them out, and we kicked them around for a little over a year," Wenzel said. "(Bargdill) approached us about lending our music to the film, and everything just kind of fell into place. He had worked with Chris, Dan, and James on his first film, The Last Time."

"Missing", a film about unsolved murders from the 1970s and the two detectives who investigate them, feature Upstate's music with the "creepy vibe of the script - spare acoustic sounds, buried keyboards and subtle sound effects," according to Wenzel. In fact, the five song album sounds more like dark folk than indie rock in parts. "(It's) like acoustic death metal filtered through Simon and Garfunkel kind of maudlin, kind of story-oriented, but very much rooted in Midwestern imagery," Wenzel said. The soundtrack's strengths are its well-rooted instrumental parts and harmonized vocals. "It's pleasingly confused and sort of faux-spooky," he added.

Wenzel, who didn't pick up a guitar until college, believes this release will be the only one created by Upstate, since members of he band once again changed monikers to release albums such as the "Have a Seat" EP (2003) under the name of Tarantula Dinner Party. Wicked Immigrant, a side project featuring up to 40 guest musicians, including Wenzel's girlfriend, Sarah Arnold, will release an acoustic album with Arnold on cello.*

"I love the fact that increasingly cheap technology is leveling the playing field in terms of sound quality. You don't have to be on a major label to record quality-sounding music," Wenzel said. "All you need is a computer program, some passable equipment and a good ear. By the same token, the low-cost technology allows every schmuck with a guitar and high school poetry lyrics to release their own 40-song CD of raging crap, and I sometimes fear people regard us similarly."

Under the title Friendly Psychics Music, Wenzel runs a website that supports like-minded musicians from Dayton and Denver.** "We have expanded to include releases from various underground rock, folk and experimental acts," said Wenzel. "We recently posted the music video to Upstate's song 'The Static' on the website, as well as some free MP3s from Upstate's 'Missing' EP".

"In the music video, the main character from the movie Missing is chased around his house by random members of Upstate and cast members from the film. We're sitting around playing Scrabble," Wenzel said. "Hanging out in his bedroom and just generally making him miserable."

If you are of like mind and value the concept of DIY, support Upstate by visiting www.friendlypsychicsmusic.com and Sponiczine.com.

*with co-founder Chris Jones on bass
**website actually created and maintained by Laurie and Chris Jones

VRC Net (10/28/03)

Upstate Missing EP (Soundtrack to movie of the same name)

And now, a friendly reminder from your local government: RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THE TECHNOLOGY HAS TAKEN OVER THE WORLD! THE ROBOTS RULE EVERYTHING! HIDE! HIDE!

Ok, that odd announcement actually does have correlation to this review. Due to the wonders of super-powerful technology, Upstate has released this album without ever playing a show together. In fact, they wrote all five songs without ever seeing each other's faces. And if that's not enough, the band is split between two states (Colorado and Ohio)! And yet, they made a rock band. Now, that's determination. That's heart. That's really weird.

Also, this album has some seriously spacey vibes. This album starts out with a quick acoustic pattern and a drumbeat until the vocals come in. Those three elements carry this album, so it's no surprise that they are the first three introduced. An electric guitar also lays the occasional ditty on top of it all, but it's mostly non-existent. The same goes for a keyboard. The music created sounds like a cross between Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Star Sutra. It possesses that same aura of spaciness, that eerie, paranoid sound that characterizes both Star Sutra and Pink Floyd. It also has the classic guitar vibes of the '70s era, best exemplified in Led Zeppelin. It's not dated though. It's very infused with modern melodic structure. Not that the melodies are happy ones, either. All of the melodies here are in a minor key, even when the instrumentation is in a major one,making a very odd song when they criss-cross. The vocals themselves have a weird effect on them, and they sound like System of a Down when SOAD slows down (think "Roulette"). These songs all have the same vibe going on, but none of the arrangements get repetitive. The only thing that's a real negative here is the fact that the vocals don't have much scope or range. They start to sound a bit monotonous by the end.

In the end, this is a nice EP, full of dark pop songs that flow well on the ear, but aren't aiming to make moods brighter. It's amazing to think that this band has never played together. It just sounds so good. Kudos to them, for pioneering what may become a new trend in the music world. We really need another one (die rap-metal die) so let's hope this is the one.

Godsend Online (11/10/03)

Upstate - "Missing: The Official Soundtrack" CDR

An all-too-brief 5-song release of songs recorded via post between members, UPSTATE's emotive brand of melodic, melancholic indie rock is at once accessable and homespun. The band's penchant for creating mood and texture had me hooked instantly, and while listening to this, I can refer you to the equally as fine California act SWELL, who mine a similar territory. It's pop, it's rock, and it's all really very, very good. I'll be anxiously awaiting more from these lads. -Todd Zachritz

The Wright State Guardian (11/12/03)

Missing - Original Soundtrack

Upstate, a unique band right here out of Dayton, Ohio has recorded and released five songs for the upcoming independent film, The Missing by Joe Bargdill. Consequently, the movie is also Dayton based. The Missing, without using any stretch of the imagination, is about unsolved missing person cases. And most of the music on the soundtrack reflects this theme of loss, sorrow, and the unknown.

The members of Upstate are John Wenzel, guitar/vocals; Dan Miller, guitar/keyboards; James Focht, guitar; Chris Jones, bass; and Jamie Heaps, drums. All the members except Focht and Heaps were part of another group called Dishwater Psychics which broke up in 2001. Upstate's music is a combination of indie rock, folk acoustics, and haunting melodies (which definitely work for the theme of the movie). But the most significant thing about this band is that they have never recorded their music together or even played together in the same room. All the members of the band recorded their parts of the songs and then mailed or sent the recording on to the next member until the songs were complete.

So their music is made of individual pieces sown (or in the literal sense, dubbed) into a comprehensive whole. The implications of this feat alone lend the band credit. So what does a band sound like that has never performed together or worked together? Well, let's just say that you can tell. For the most part their music has great elements and lots of potential. The rhythm which is driven more by the guitar than the drums is catchy and hypnotic. Much of this rhythm is created by the acoustic guitar which gives their music the more "folkie" feel. Their music is also very melancholy and haunting which is a combination of the guitars, the nature of the lyrics and the overall presentation.

The musical talent, especially among the rhythm guitarist and the drummer has definite potential and is played with grace and keen musical insight. Unfortunately, however, all five songs on the soundtrack sound almost exactly the same. There are slight differences in melody (and of course) the lyrics, but they are so similar that it's difficult to tell one song apart from another. They proceed at the same beat with the same haunting sound. Some of this is undoubtedly a result of the fact that they never play together. Perhaps if they did begin to write and record in the same room they would be able to make changes and go for more diversity in their music.

I think they have enough talent that they could feed off one another and really begin to push the envelope of their music. Right now, I'm not sure if I could handle a full CD with such monotonous music. To be fair, five songs is hardly a sufficient sample but it is a sufficient warning. The only other element of their music that needs to be improved is the vocals. While John Wenzel's voice is just fine in tonality and presentation, the overall effect is drab and boring. The songs are very repetitious where Wenzel sings within virtually the same three notes on the scale the whole time. He probably can do better and they should try for some diversity in the melody.

Also, the harmony in the songs adds to this drabness. At almost all times there are two definite voices singing, but it's the exact same voice. This of course is possibly do to the nature of their recordings in the first place. But the end result in only having this type of harmony makes the songs dull, whereas if they were to use an entirely separate voice for the harmony it would add depth and dimension to the songs that is currently not there.

MusicTAP (11/13/03)

I was expecting something very different from Upstate when I put the CD Missing: The Official Soundtrack into the car stereo. I had scary assumptions of Staind wannabes, sweatsuits, tattoos and shout-outs before the standard repetitive single-chord crunch-a-thon. What a pleasant surprise then to hear something with sustained mood, harmony and hooks that hung on not with raw power but with a bit of subtlety.

The band, consisting of vocalist John Wenzel, lead guitar James Focht, Dan Miller on keys and guitar, Chris Jones on bass and drums supplied by Jamie Heaps, comes from Dayton Ohio, home of such indie rock luminaries as Guided By Voices and Brainiac, but their sound seems more akin to the mellower side of dark metal bands like Opeth and Katatonia, themselves taking pages from the Pink Floyd vocabulary of subversive pop.

The band gelled after the demise of The Dishwater Psychics. The members that stayed on enlisted Focht and Heaps and the new group found themselves writing and recording music for the independent film Missing. The trick is that the band per se has never practiced or played together. With the wonders of modern technology, home recording and the U.S. Postal Service, five different people were able to pull together a cohesive whole long distance.

About the only comment of negativity I could give their freshman release is that the drums are way too high and pronounced in the mix, but being a home recorder myself, I know that sometimes these things can't be helped. The only advice would be that they ought to get together to hash their ideas out. If something as catchy as the songs for Missing: The Official Soundtrack could come from such a convoluted working process, who knows what a little close-contact osmosis might offer.
-Dw Dunphy

The Odyssey (11/19/03)

I was scared of this one when I read a passing reference to jam bands in the press material. It’s not nearly as bad as you’d expect after reading those dreaded words (the dirtiest words I know of). The soundtrack to Missing contains five, mid-tempo, folk-inspired pop with a bit of guitar noodling and studio trickery. It sounds like kind of a cross between Sebadoh and Pink Floyd. It might be a little granola for my tastes, but you could do a lot worse. The songs all sound very similar on this EP, but that could be determined by the tone of the movie they’re writing for, rather than a tendency for repetitive songs.
- Phil Hunt

Aural Innovations (11/23/03)

Upstate is a band with members split between Denver, Colorado and Dayton, Ohio, and grew out of an earlier band called Dishwater Psychics. The band consists of John Wenzel on guitars and vocals, James Focht on guitars and vocals, Dan Miller on guitars, keyboards and vocals, Jamie Heaps on drums and percussion and Chris Jones on bass. The 5 songs on this 17 minute CDEP are Upstate's contribution to the film Missing, an independent production made in Dayton. The CD opens with "Falling Missiles", the track that ended up being my favorite. It's a dark song with a repetitive guitar/bass phrase, around which Upstate build the song and instrumental theme. We've got a bit of modern rock, a dash of prog, and a hint of psychedelia and even some Pink Floyd near the end. I like the full sound produced by the multiple guitars, both acoustic and electric, on the remaining songs, and we're treated to little bits of psychy guitar from time to time as well. And Upstate do a good job of creating a dark atmosphere that is more contemplative and still upbeat, than foreboding or depressing. Nice stuff.
- Jerry Kranitz

Kid Juxta (12/03/03)

UPSTATE - "MISSING: The Official Soundtrack"

American band Upstate want to go downtown with their music when it's this sublime. Turns out, the five musicians who make up the band aren't based in any one state of the US, let alone the same town or city. What's even more remarkable is the fact that these guys have never played or practiced together in the same room; instead, their amazing music somehow manages to materialise via the postal service with all members to-ing and fro-ing tapes of riffs, beats and vocals that are ultimately layered together to produce this most original of indie-rock sounds.

Fronted by Denver don John Wenzel (who used to live in Ohio), Upstate here present five astonishingly catchy songs that proudly feature in the independent American movie "Missing," directed by Joe Bargdill.

Throughout, their music is staggeringly vibrant and yet underscored by moments of such mellowness you can't help but be entranced and held spellbound, as "Falling Missiles" irks out a compellingly dark vibe that I imagine to be in-keeping with the movie's potential "film-noir" style. The intriguing line "I don't understand your tactics," is the first thing to be heard, and from there on in the unwitting listener is treated to 16-odd minutes of some of the most stunning music I've ever heard.

Frontman-of-sorts Wenzel leads the vocals. As fantastic as the vocals are, Upstate come further into their own and show off their musical talents to yet greater extents when the vocals end and tracts of instrumental majesty begin to kick in.

The tracks are acoustic-based for the large part, as "Orange At Night" is bolstered by perfect Alt.-indie melodies and a moodily evocative vibe. The complex "folkie" technicalities remind me of Brit Alt.-pop acoustic duo Ben & Jason, and Upstate's knack for writing tunes within tunes proves that their song-writing talents are jaw-droppingly second to none. "The Static," similarly, sounds primevally broody, reminiscent of Nick Cave's or The Jesus and Mary Chain's solemn yet sublime seriousness in captivating.

Armed with James Focht on guitar, Dan Miller on guitars/keyboards, Jamie Heaps on drums and Chris Jones on bass, this band's collective moment of glory comes in the genius form of "Immune Like Me." Eloquent and beautifully executed, if this song doesn't make you beam with feel-good reverence then the assumption that you have any heart or soul is, right now, diminishing in value per second.

These five tracks alone might just single-handedly restore your faith in quality music full stop. One thing's for certain, indie rock music very rarely bounds along with this much go-getting tenderness. And now I'm just gagging-on-gag to see the damn movie!
-Steve Rudd, 5 stars

Erasing Clouds (12/14/03)

Upstate, Missing: The Official Soundtrack (Friendly Psychics Music)

Upstate's 5-song CD "Missing" is billed as "the official soundtrack" to "a Joe Bargdill film" of the same name. Perhaps it is, but I'm not ready to dismiss the idea that the film doesn't exist at all. For while the CD art would make you think that "Missing's" a crime film about guns and heists and whatnot, featuring a gang of tough guys, the sullen indie-rock songs on the CD sound more like the soundtrack to lost love than to a would-be "Mean Streets" or "Dragnet." "I don't understand your tactics," the first song begins, and all of the songs exude that feeling of being in the dark about what somebody else is up to. An ear-pleasing mix of acoustic and electric guitars send a delicate note of hope, while vocals that recall Lou Barlow at his most serious give everything an air of hopelessness. But then again, the CD's palpable sense of mystery does fit in with the suspense film notion. The more I listen to "Missing" the more I think that either it is indeed the soundtrack to a crime film or Upstate are out to bring some genuine pain to the indie-label world. "Should we break his neck/wouldn't that be fun," goes a line in "Immune Like Me." If I were a would-be rock star, I'd watch my back.
-Dave Heaton

Impact Press (12/22/03)

Upstate - "Missing: The Official Soundtrack"

This is a mysteriously melodic five-track rock opus serving as the accompaniment to the upcoming indie film "Missing" from Joe Bargdill. The indie rock on this release darkens the rhythms of jazz and the acoustics of folk to create a backdrop that is as haunting as it is comforting - in the same sense as a Tarantino movie plot. That's what makes this disc so interesting, the production and mood of this soundtrack makes you want to see the movie by creating an atmosphere of suspense and narrative that's like adding an unpredictable twist to life. (JC)

Aversionline (01/05/04)

Upstate - "Missing: The Official Soundtrack" CD
6/10 - Friendly Psychics Music

Apparently these guys recorded this EP "using the long-distance mail route, never having practiced or played together in the same room", which is pretty damn cool considering how decent the end result sounds. Calm singing vocals, warm percussion and dense bass, lush clean and acoustic guitars… it all sounds quite nice.

I might like to hear more unity between the drums and the other instruments, perhaps upping the bass… but for the most part they've done a great job. The writing is pretty unique as well. It's all really laidback, but there's more of a chilled out 70's rock vibe going on as opposed to anything I'd call emo or indie rock… There's a lot of layering in the guitar parts, some nice vocal harmonies accentuate the singing, and so on. I think the vocal harmonies should probably be more pronounced, if not altogether more frequent, but they're on the right track. The professional looking CD-R comes in a jewel case with pro-printed artwork in full color.

There's not a lot of information present other than the lineup and some recording information. The artwork looks pretty cool. Everything sort of looks like a movie poster or something, but it's nice and consistent. I'm gonna guess that this isn't a real movie soundtrack, in which case I'm not really sure why they went with that whole angle, but whatever… the music is pretty promising. I'd like to hear the band work with longer and more developed songs, since they seem to flirt with a few progressive influences (at times some of this sounds like newer Porcupine Tree, but more stripped down), and all of these tracks tend to be right around three minutes, which can feel succinct. Good work, though. I'm really surprised by how uncommon this is… very unexpected.

Smother.Net (01/29/04)

Upstate - Missing : The Official Soundtrack (Editor's Pick)

This soundtrack to Joe Bargdill’s “Missing” is one of those few soundtracks that can be enjoyed without ever having seen the film. But likewise you feel like you have because the emotions and an almost subtle narrative that is felt throughout. Focusing on these five songs of indie rock masterpieces is a hard thing to do as so many aspects of the song distract you—you’ll find yourself following the bass line only to clench onto the guitar riff and then move onto what singer/guitarist John Wenzel is singing. The overall mood is this amazing specter of brooding doom that’s a liaison between pop and lo-fi.
- J.Sin

Dripfed.co.uk (01/30/04)

Upstate: Original soundtrack to Missing

The list of the formerly serious who have gone limp grows ever longer: - Q magazine who believe that Christine Aguilerra is cutting edge enough to put on the cover (and just look at the editor’s own photo - blurrrgh); Mojo who seem to have discovered the 1960s; and now NME, who have taken the cheque and declare Justin Timberlake the coolest person alive. (You can bet they’re all calling John Lydon a turncoat - obviously no mirrors in their editorial suites).

So it falls to Nataloid’s Dripfed to fight the good fight and give musicians the chance to show what they can do without sucking the Man’s dick to full completion. With that out of the way, heeeeeeere's Upstate.

Who? Upstate. A band who have written five tracks for the film ‘Missing’. That’s right, five tracks for a film, not just one track taken from their usual repertoire and tacked onto a blockbuster as most soundtracks ‘boast’ from ‘major’ 'artists'.

And, as this reviewer is not apologetic about banging on, Upstate have gone back into the rich tradition of the original American singer-songwriter, ie. Life from the heart, which is how the best films are made. As both Missing and Upstate are fully independent projects, they compliment each other.

Upstate aren’t a hard rock group but there is steel to their songs; a strength and drive in the percussion that backs up good vocals and rhythm guitars. The singing is passionate without being over the top and is totally appropriate for the music. Overall, it’s very reminiscent of an acoustic Echo & the Bunnymen duetting live with Jethro Tull (but without either Mac or Ian Anderson as principal Gob).

If you fancy giving these five lads a go, (please do, they’re worth it) try listening to the music before seeing the film (which incidentally won’t be on mainstream release, so you’ll have to either join your local film club or go to a decent video place (ie - not blockbusters). Upstate are from Dayton, Ohio and are intelligent people, therefore they will not vote for Bush.
- 7/10
Stuart Goodacre

Luna Kafe' (02/06/04)

Missing: The Official Soundtrack

This is a soundtrack to a film I haven't seen but it evokes images all on its own. "Falling Missiles" Is an elegant song with evocative singing by John Wenzel. The songs unusual rhythm is part of its appeal. "Orange at Night" (a very R.E.M title that one) is folksy and intimate. The guitar playing is subtle and sweet. "The Static" is dramatic yet minimal. Wenzel's voice is very subdued here. "Shaking Badly Anthem" closes the EP on a high note. It features more of the bands brilliant sense of melody and tension. If the soundtrack is anything to judge by the film must be great.

Disagreement.net (02/07/04)

Upstate are in fact no real band, but just a soundtrack project: their first five songs were recorded for the soundtrack of Missing , an independent documentary by Joe Bargdill about 20 years of unsolved missing person cases in a small town called South View. A very curious fact is that Upstate are not rehearsing in the same room, but they are sending their tapes to each other by mail. Nevermind, the songwriting is excellent and they have written five very slow indie rock songs with a clear americana feel. The songs are all mellow, but paying more attention to each one lets you discover vibes and rhythms which go below your skin. The tracks are acoustic-based for the most part. My favourite is The Static which makes me think of Nick Cave or Jesus & Mary Chain while the opener Falling Missiles has a certain Pink Floyd flair. Underlying the beauty of the songs, you will find a very dark and sad atmosphere. Let's hope that Upstate will continue playing music, no matter if as a band or as project.

Whisperin & Hollerin (02/11/04)

The film ‘Missing’ is summed up on it’s website as: ’20 years of unsolved missing person cases start to unravel in a small town, when dead bodies pollute the streets and roads of South View. How will the local detectives come to resolve the cold case?’

So, it’s a fair assumption it isn’t going to be an upbeat, feel good movie and accordingly it’s also a fair assumption that the soundtrack isn’t going to be a barrel of laughs.

Having not seen the film it would be futile to pontificate further but the soundtrack is a sparse, acoustic affair whose central themes revolve around loss, alienation and confusion. Upstate, apparently, record all their music separately and have never practiced or played together in the same room. Which, let’s face it, is one-way round inter band tensions. It is also perhaps one of the reasons that this 5 song soundtrack sounds so cold and passionless.

The playing throughout is competent, yet never outstanding. The songs tend to merge into each other and it is strictly one paced in execution. To pick out a highlight is difficult, opener ‘Falling Missiles’ is possibly the pick of the bunch but probably has as much to do with being the first track and therefore setting the template as anything else. All maudlin acoustic guitars and mournful vocals from John Wenzel it has a stark, alienating feel to it. There is also a tendency to lapse into guitar solos that to these ears are dead ringers for ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ era Pink Floyd.

Knowing that the songs are mailed between band members for their contributions, you find yourself listening for the various layers. Sure enough, the individual contributions are easy enough to separate out but this only adds to the clinical feel of the songs. This is an album that lacks spontaneity or warmth but quite possibly captures the mood of the film. As an album to listen to on it’s own merits however it is a drab affair.

author: Mike Campbell

Kid Juxta (02/12/04)

Interview with Upstate for “Missing: The Official Soundtrack”

YOU ARE UPSTATE, ALL THE WAY FROM DENVER AND DAYTON IN AMERICA. PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES…

John Wenzel – guitar, vocals
Chris Jones – bass guitar, sheet metal
Dan Miller – guitar, backing vocals, keys, production
James Focht – lead guitar
Jamie Heaps – drums

John: Everyone lives in Dayton, Ohio except for me. I’m a Dayton native but moved to Denver, Colorado in 2000 after graduating from college. Our first band’s initial CD (Dishwater Psychics’ Industrial Prophet EP) was recorded at Dan’s home studio in Dayton, and we did the follow-up LP on a 4-track at Chris’s place. Everything after that (Dishwater, Upstate, etc.) has been recorded long-distance on 4-tracks and digital 8-tracks across thousands of kilometers.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON THE BAND NAME UPSTATE?

Chris: When Dishwater Psychics broke up, we decided that we wanted a name a bit more to the point. We were getting high watching the sunset, and we started rattling off old song titles. We said it, and it just stuck.

Dan: It sort of reflects our geographical situation.

SOME OF YOU GUYS USED TO BE IN A BAND CALLED DISHWATER PSYCHICS. WHY DID THAT PROJECT END?

Chris: It really didn’t end, so much is it evolved to the next logical step. There were some bad vibes associated with the old name, and too much luggage attached. I think we all just wanted something new and more to the point. We added James Focht on guitar, which I think really filled out our guitar sound nicely. And getting Jamie (Heaps) on drums was sonically the best thing we’ve ever done. We knew at that point we were going to take it to another level, and we all agreed a fresh perspective on every thing was in order. Cleaning house, so to speak.

IS IT REALLY TRUE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NEVER PRACTISED OR PLAYED TOGETHER, AND IN FACT PRODUCE YOUR SONGS VIA THE MAIL SERVICE? HOW DOES THIS WORK?

Chris: In the early days, we were all in the same room. That being myself, Dan, John, a drum machine, and assorted intoxicants. But ever since Dishwater’s Candlewax Horizon, yeah… we don’t play together in a live setting. It gives us a lot more room, creatively, to do what we do. You can work on little bits as you go along and basically set your own schedule.

John: We start with a demo and a synth beat, then Jamie plays drums to that, then we layer our parts over the drums and eventually delete the demo. So in the end it sounds like we played together, even though certain songs have been recorded off-and-on over the period of a year. All the Upstate songs were written and recorded this way.

James: It’s amazing none of the songs have ever gotten lost! Towards the end of the recording we caught our mail carrier trying to lay down some vocals. You can still hear them if you listen close enough.

YOU HAVE RELEASED A 5-TRACK EP THAT’S THE SOUNDTRACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MOVIE CALLED “MISSING.” HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT AND WERE YOU PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS, IN TERMS OF BOTH YOUR MUSIC AND HOW YOUR MUSIC FIT INTO THE MOVIE?

Dan: Chris Jones knew Joe Bargdill (the director) through Bruce Hughes, a mutual friend who has always been there to help the band. James had been a friend of mine for several years, and had gotten to know Dishwater by coming to the studio. Joe and Bruce originally asked Chris to help with the soundtrack for a movie short called “The Last Time.” Chris gathered James and I together to watch the film (John was living in Denver). We recorded some cheesy music, but it ended up being a great event because we got to work with James. We asked James to join Dishwater Psychics and he did, but the band died anyway. Months later, Joe approached us to do the soundtrack to “Missing,” and Dishwater Psychics + James and Jamie became Upstate. We had gotten over most of our differences, and James and Jamie added to the band in ways John, Chris, and I never could have. I am pleased with the music, though I know we're still coming into our own. I'm reasonably pleased with how the music fit the movie, but I should be. I was also the sound editor and Foley guy for the film.

Chris: John and I worked at the shittiest job we’ve ever had, but we had the opportunity to meet some really cool people there. One of them is Bruce Hughes, who is an amazing artist. He actually does about 85 percent of the graphic content on our page. After Bruce got released from our prison, he got a gig at a local TV station. He met some like-minded individuals, they did a movie, they wanted some music, and here we are.

Jamie: I actually never heard the completed songs until I opened my copy of the soundtrack. I was amazed at how well it came together. And to be honest, I only saw a rough cut of the movie, with sound clips to give an idea of the placement, not a full soundtrack yet.

OTHER THAN THIS “MISSING”-ASSOCIATED RELEASE, WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU DONE PREVIOUS TO THIS AND HOW CAN WE HEAR IT OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT IT?

John: Friendly Psychics Music, our music collective, has all that info (www.friendlypsychicsmusic.com). But to recap: Dishwater Psychics released 5 albums between 1999 and 2002. A side project called Bullet Gastino (with Chris and Dan, plus Ken Clark and Charlie Meyer) released two albums. Tarantula Dinner Party, which is basically Upstate without Jamie or Dan, released a CD earlier this year (the Have a Seat EP). Chris Jones and I, plus my girlfriend Sarah Arnold and James Focht on a lead guitar, will release an acoustic guitar/cello album in early ‘04 under the name Wicked Immigrant. We’re also tentatively planning an FPM compilation CD of our stuff for spring or summer of ‘04.

Jamie: I had never worked with the members of Upstate prior to cutting these tracks. When we first hooked up, I had just come over (to Dan’s place) and had a monster recording session. I think I managed to record drum tracks for like 15 songs all in one day. All I had to work with again was basic guitar themes over dumbed-down click tracks. I previously had recorded with a past band called the Maji, mostly best-of selections, and currently with another side project called Soulever (www.soulever.org). These two recorded more in a live setting, with songs recorded together to re-create some of the onstage energy and feel. With Upstate, all that went kind-of out the window.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF MUSIC YOU MAKE?

Dan: Untainted by trends.

Jamie: In the hopes of not sounding clichéd, I think we have a very soothing, psychedelic alt-indie feel.

James: It’s definitely the most original project in terms of recording and style that I've been involved with.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND SUCH AS UPSTATE? DO YOU THINK THE FACT THAT YOU NEVER PRACTISE OR PLAY TOGETHER IN PERSON HAS ITS ADVANTAGES IN ANY WAY?

Dan: The advantages are many. We really have enough creative forces in the group to spark a potential “too many cooks in the kitchen” situation. But when one cook is in the living room, and another is in the den, it gives us all the freedom and mobility to be ourselves when we finally get into the kitchen. We are strong enough in our personal friendships to work together without inadvertently stepping on each others’ toes, but there’s something to be said for keeping your toes out of the way in general.

Jamie: The best thing about Upstate is that it’s not so in your face, the way other projects have been personally. We’ve never had the opportunity to not like the other members, and so it makes our ideas stay more pure and true to our music, not to know how someone is feeling because of how another member acted, etc. I would really like to see this band have the opportunity to play out and entertain people, but at this point, I’m not sure how feasible that is. I think the advantages outweigh all the drawbacks, because we don’t feel all the obligations to this band we would if we were touring, which lets us stay grounded in our personal lives as well as with the band.

John: If you have stage fright (like me), and can’t play a live show to save your goddamned hide… well, there’s one of the advantages. Also, you don’t have to rent expensive practice space!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MUSIC SCENE IN THE USA IN GENERAL? WHO ARE YOUR FAVE BANDS?

James: The music scene sucks. It’s all about big money and big corporations pushing what they can down on the youth of America. The mainstream music is being shaped by minds focusing on the dollar instead of the art. I for one support MP3 file sharing. My hope is that it totally runs the corporations that have ruined the music into the ground. After the dust settles the bands with actual talent and creative abilities will rise out of the ashes.

John: Mainstream music is a dead-end. The underground scene in America is pretty solid at the moment. It’s varied enough to be interesting, but it’s certainly been better. Most radio, obviously, plays nothing but shit. But trendy imitation and soulless whoring have been constant in popular music since the ‘50s. My favorite bands are melody-driven, straightforward rock like Guided By Voices and The Shins, or classics like early Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground, and Beatles. I also like more experimental shite (Radiohead, Aphex Twin, TV on the Radio) and instrumental music of every stripe.

Chris: The scene where I am from (Dayton, Ohio) was actually one of the coolest times in modern music, in my opinion. You could still go out on the weekend and see bands like Guided by Voices, Brainiac, Swearing at Motorists, Mink, etc. I think the best bands in the states come from the Midwest. As far as fave bands go, The Flaming Lips, Guided by Voices, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, Alice in Chains, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and The Circuit Riders.

Jamie: The music industry still puts too much emphasis on the look and feel of an act, whereas the sound and idea gets lost in the translation of the onstage production, pyrotechnics, dancers, etc. But I am optimistic when I go to shows and pick up music from the great bands nobody pays attention to. Not because they couldn’t earn it, but because they don’t want the industry to pay attention to them. Some of my all time favorites would be Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, Muddy Waters, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, etc.

HAVE YOU ANY PLUGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ON THE BAND'S BEHALF?

Chris: Bruce Hughes, our designer of really cool looking shit. Please check him out and send him hollow compliments, he likes that. www.nobody.sh

John: Check out www.Sponiczine.com - the online indie rock zine that I co-edit and write for, (and that Chris and Dan from Upstate have written for in the past).

-Interview conducted by Steve Rudd

Leonard's Lair (02/14/04)

Missing: The Official Soundtrack

The likelihood is that not many people will see Joe Bargdill's independent film 'Missing' and - as a consequence of this - a similarly small amount of people will probably never hear Upstate's official soundtrack. Not having seen the film it's hard to comment on its quality but if it's as good as the soundtrack it should be worth checking out. At just 16 minutes long there is little time to waste and Upstate's style - a mixture of Simon And Garfunkel's misery-tinged folk and the crisp drum percussion of The Comsat Angels - is a winning formula that suggests the group who created it will be ones to watch for releases not geared towards the confines of a soundtrack. Yet all five tracks hint of an impending tragedy about to happen, serving as a believable commentary to the events of a film. Surprisingly the group members sent their contributions by mail but there's a cohesiveness evident on this recording that suggests they really should meet up.
*4 out of 5

Splendid Zine (02/28/04)

Upstate - "Missing: The Official Soundtrack"
Friendly Psychics Music

The best way for me to describe this Ohio quintet's sound is to suggest a dour Crosby, Stills and Nash. Like CSN, the band combines shimmering three-part vocal harmonies, catchy guitar lines and gently rolling rhythms in a highly pleasing fashion. What sets them apart from their forefathers is their tendency to explore darker musical paths. In particular, the haunting "Falling Missiles" blends heartbreaking harmonies with a minor thread, achieving the chilling balance between beauty and menace that CSN created on "Ohio". Although "Orange at Night" contains a hint of hope and "Immune Like Me" feels like a tender ballad, I find moments like the sinister guitar interplay of "Shaking Badly Anthem" more fulfilling.

The disc's one real disappointment is that it only includes the five tracks that were created for the titular independent film. Although the band first got together to create this soundtrack, they are currently working on additional songs -- and despite the music's generally grim tone of the music, I can only say, "Whoo-hoo!" -Ron Davies

Mundane Sounds (03/01/04)

Upstate - "Missing: The Official Soundtrack"
Friendly Psychics Music

This all-too-brief soundtrack to independent film Missing also serves as the low-key debut for Dayton, Ohio's Upstate. This five-man combo specializes in dark rock, with a hint of folk and a nice round or two of harmony. Being from Dayton, it's no surprise to find a little bit of shade cast down upon them from the Fading Captain's shadow, but it's not really overwhelming. It's a promising debut, even if it feels like a demo; the vocals and harmonies are excellent, especially on "Falling Missles" and "Shaking Badly Anthem." With a mix of really murky instrumental accompaniment, the songs on Missing are brooding, dark and disturbing. The songs aren't really polished, and that helps to give the songs that more ominous edge. The only real complaint to be had is that the vocals seemed to get a little bit same-sounding, but getting lead vocals from the other two singers would help to break the sameness to the songs. This is a debut record, though; as they are currently working on their debut album proper, it's not something to fret about right now. -Joseph Kyle

Raw Nerve (04/14/04)

UPSTATE "Missing: The Official Soundtrack"
Friendly Psychics music, 2003 - 5 Tracks 17 Mins

Some interesting artwork on this one from Upstate. Not too sure if it actually is from a film or not, but it could be as it is so well done. Opener "Falling Missiles" has a pretty solemn beginning, reminding of some of the late '60s hippie rock bands with the nice harmonies and acoustic guitar, and pretty much the blueprint is described in that song.

Upstate have more of a melancholic sound than I was expecting, but I like it, would be a good Sunday afternoon or late night listening band, as they have some decent dynamics and delivery of mood going on. Closing song "Shaking Badly Anthem" is a highlight along with the opener with some nice subtleties and floaty effects, although seems to end too soon.

If you like straightforward, easy-going, retro acoustic songs, then I definitely think I would push forward Upstate as a contender for your ears, as they have some decent ideas in there, delivered well. -Paul Priest, Raw Nerve Productions

GeekScene (04/26/04)

Upstate - "Missing"
(Friendly Psychics Music) CD

This one is actually a film soundtrack, which you don't often get in this sort of business, so it makes (for) a change. I can't see this film as being a very happy one though; the songs are all quite mellow and slightly intense in some places and often a bit sad. The film it's written for is called (as you can see by the title of the album) "Missing" and it's by Joe Bargdill. The packaging is all pretty basic with a one page sleeve, actors on the front, the band on the inlay. It's only five songs long which is a shame as I quite like this band. They're quite indie with a bit of folkiness thrown in. It's all pretty harmonious and snoozy, with the singers John Wenzel and James Focht's voices having a slightly dreamy quality, which kind of makes you want to lay down and go to sleep. I'm gonna recommend this one, if not only for the music, then because it's the only CD I received today that isn't teenagers trying to be hardcore and failing... badly.
-CR

Past and Present Music (05/04/04)

Upstate; Missing - The Official Soundtrack
Friendly Psychics Music/Broken Lamp Productions

I've never seen this movie (never even heard of it before to be totally honest with ya'll), so I couldn't tell you how this 5-track soundtrack goes with the movie, but I can tell you that is great music to sit around listening to at home. Upstate is a really strange project. They play this really insightful and emotive indie-rock that you would imagine would take a lot of time together to make, but they fact of the matter that these songs were written without these five guys even having been in the same room together. Yeah, that's right, they sent whatever they'd written through the mail and developed on it from there. Heard before, but it rarely works as well as in this case.

(4 stars) -Hans Jakup Eidisgard

Free City Media (06/01/04)

UPSTATE - Missing - The Official Soundtrack
WICKED IMMIGRANT - Reunion Of Cynics
(Friendly Psychics Music)

The Friendly Psychics Music Collective revolves around John Wenzel (guitar, synths and vocals) in Denver, Colorado and Chris Jones (bass) in Dayton, Ohio. They don't practice or record together in person but rather collaborate long-distance by sending zip discs back and forth, adding parts to each other's tracks. The first virtual band they were in together was the Dishwater Psychics. Currently Wenzel and Jones are working as Upstate and Wicked Immigrant. Upstate also includes Dan Miller (guitar, keyboards and backing vocals), James Focht (guitar) and Jamie Heaps (drums). In Wicked Immigrant, Wenzel and Jones are joined on some tracks by James Focht (guitar), Sarah Arnold (cello), John Metzger (guitar) and Buddy Watson (piano).

Upstate's first release is the soundtrack to Joe Bargdill's film Missing (info at www.brokenlamp.net). This five-song EP is just about a perfect set of imaginative modern folk rock. The opening "Falling Missiles" sets the tone for the band's work with shades of Neil Young, Bob Pollard and Patrick Porter. "Orange At Night" has a great melody and delicate acoustic leads that hint at the warmth of the Gipsy Kings. "The Static" has a somber mood and pop hooks that remind me of our good friends AqPop. The slack beat, acoustic strumming and Leslied lead on "Immune Like Me" create an original sound that touches off a distant feeling of Pavement like melancholy. "Shaking Badly Anthem" has a verse that sounds like the cooler cousin of America?s "Sandman". The progressive acoustic guitar breaks and tape-reverse effects turn the song into something else entirely.

As consistent as Upstate's Missing is varied, Wicked Immigrant's Reunion of Cynics keeps more to the low-key side of John Wenzel and Chris Jones' music. This is a collection of beautiful folky indie rock, with subdued but emotional vocals and understated arrangements. The melodies, lyrics and instrumentation keep the songs from sounding too similar to each other. "Myth Of Beds" features a low-end guitar solo that could be early Robert Fripp. Buddy Watson's atmospheric piano gives "White Concrete" a dream-like setting. Sarah Arnold?s cello parts add a graceful dimension to songs like "The Implied Fraction", "More Or Less Intact" and "Pyramid Law". There's not a bad song out of the fourteen here. It doesn't get much more underground than musicians mailing each other song parts, but that doesn't mean that the Friendly Psychics Collective bands are lo-fi. John Wenzel, Chris Jones and friends record homemade music that sounds at least as good as most studio productions. Upstate and Wicked Immigrant have a laid-back and moody style with irresistible hooks to spare. Find out more about the various projects involving John and Chris at www.friendlypsychicsmusic.com.

Review © 2004 by Nick Bensen

Space City Rock (08/10/04)

UPSTATE - Missing - The Official Soundtrack

A preliminary Google search didn't turn up a whole lot, so though it appears that there is indeed a film (a short, one presumes) called Missing by a director named Joe Bargdill, I'm still not 100% sure. Upstate certainly wouldn't be the first band to try to pass off an album as the soundtrack to an imaginary movie (Johnny Socko's Full Trucker Effect comes to mind), but either way, the five songs on Missing: The Official Soundtrack generate a sustained atmosphere and tone that would serve a soundtrack well. Opener "Falling Missiles" kicks things off with a doubled lead vocal line that sounds like the Byrds if they had gone through a heavily druggy minor-key phase, and it sets up the formula for the rest of the CD, which has the mildly unsettling late-night tone of the bands associated with New Zealand's Arc Café. At times, it seems like Upstate becomes a bit too beholden to the idea of the movie itself, spending perhaps a bit too much time generating a mood in a background-underscore sort of way rather than crafting memorable songs that might accidentally propel themselves to the foreground of a scene. The effect is cinematic enough, however, and even though I can't particularly tell one song from the next, Missing sounds fine when it's playing. That movie sounds like it'll be pretty creepy, though. (MH)

 

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Bitter Grin (FPM#017)
Independent Clauses (08/13/07)

Missing: The Official Soundtrack (FPM#010)
South of Mainstream (10/11/03) Daredevil Magazine (10/16/03) Dayton City Paper (10/16/03 - INTERVIEW)
VRC NET (10/28/03) Godsend Online (11/10/03) The Wright State Guardian (11/12/03) MusicTAP (11/13/03) The Odyssey (11/19/03)
Aural Innovations (11/23/03) Kid Juxta (12/03/03) Erasing Clouds (12/14/03) Impact Press (12/22/03) Aversionline (01/05/04)
Smother.Net (01/29/04) Dripfed.co.uk (01/30/04) Luna Kafe' (02/06/04) Disagreement.net (02/07/04)
Whisperin & Hollerin (02/11/04) Kid Juxta (02/12/04 - INTERVIEW) Leonard's Lair (02/14/04) Splendid Zine (02/28/04)
Mundane Sounds (03/01/04) Raw Nerve (04/14/04) GeekScene (04/26/04) Past and Present Music (05/04/04)
Free City Media (06/01/04) Space City Rock (08/10/04)