strand of oaks

From the album Pope Killdragon by Strand of Oaks, now available on eMusic. Artwork by Alex King.

Strand of Oaks at Green Line Cafe, Philadelphia, Sherman Arts

Strand Of Oaks performs "Ohio" (Damien Jurado cover) live in-studio for HearYa.com. The session was recorded in downtown Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound and sponsored by BEER NUTS Brand Snacks. Hear more live sessions at www.HearYa.com Eat sweet and salty nuts at http Record your music at www.ShirkMusic.com Camera-Op Editor: Stephen Shirk Audio Producer/Engineer: Stephen Shirk

n 2003, Tim Showalter's house burned down, his fiancée broke up with him, and he resorted to writing songs on an acoustic guitar while living on park benches in suburban Philadelphia. Those events informed the entirety of his arresting debut, Leave Ruin , an album about loss and brokenness and lack of faith. But as affecting as it was, Showalter is leery of being stuck in the past. After all, the first word of that record's title is "leave," and one of the first thing he asks when contacted for this interview is, "Can we kind of re-do my bio? I don't want to keep being the sad sack whose house burned down." These days, Showalter is happily married and comfortably settled in Philadelphia, and he's staring down the release of his second record, Pope Killdragon, an album that's even stranger and more singular. Where Ruin was stark and autobiographical, Killdragon — which features odd, laser-beam synthesizers and one bona fide stoner metal track — is wild and fantastical. Showalter either invents characters whole cloth, or takes an approach to history so liberal even Tarantino would give pause (John F. Kennedy authors a fable about a knight; Dan Aykroyd carries out a revenge killing for the death of John Belushi). It's a bold, eerie, mighty work — though the man responsible for it couldn't be more affable or good natured.

Strand Of Oaks - Sterling (live) Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia,Pa 12-10-10

Strand of Oaks performs "Kill Dragon" for The Weekender Sessions. For more Sessions clips, visit theweekender.com . For more from the Weekender, visit theweekender.com , http , twitter.com or youtube.com

Upload mp3s @ www.mp32tube.com 'Sterling' from the album 'Pope Killdragon' by Strand of Oaks

Strand Of Oaks performs "Bonfire" live in-studio for HearYa.com. The session was recorded in downtown Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound and sponsored by BEER NUTS Brand Snacks. Hear more live sessions at www.HearYa.com Eat sweet and salty nuts at http Record your music at www.ShirkMusic.com Camera-Op Editor: Stephen Shirk Audio Producer/Engineer: Stephen Shirk

From the new album "Leave Ruin"

Juniper Tar, Strand of Oaks and Daredevil Christopher Wright at Space 12, Austin, TX - SXSW 3/19/2010

Ira sits down for a quick chat with Tim Showalter. www.ExploreMusic.com

MuzzleofBees Backyard BBQ - SXSW 2010

Strand of Oaks perform "Two Kids" at the La Société Expéditionnaire CMJ showcase on 10/17/2007 at Union Pool in Brooklyn, NY.

Strand of Oaks performs "Sterling" for The Weekender Sessions. For more Sessions clips, visit theweekender.com . For more from the Weekender, visit theweekender.com , http , twitter.com or youtube.com

from 2010's "Pope Killdragon"

Strand of Oaks performs "End In Flames" live in-studio for HearYa.com. The session was recorded in downtown Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound and sponsored by Beer Nuts. Hear more live sessions at www.HearYa.com Eat sweet and salty nuts at http Camera-Ops: Mark Smirl Video Switcher: Woody Producer/Engineer: Stephen Shirk Video Editor: Stephen Shirk

Strand of Oaks performs "Used Cars" (Bruce Springsteen cover) live in-studio for HearYa.com. The session was recorded in downtown Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound and sponsored by Beer Nuts. Hear more live sessions at www.HearYa.com Eat sweet and salty nuts at http Camera-Ops: Mark Smirl Video Switcher: Woody Producer/Engineer: Stephen Shirk Video Editor: Andrew Walker

Recorded in a nondenominational chapel for the Fuel/Friends Chapel Sessions in Colorado Springs, CO, on 5/7/11. Downloadable MP3s are forthcoming.

Strand of Oaks performs "Last To Swim" for The Weekender Sessions. For more Sessions clips, visit theweekender.com . For more from the Weekender, visit theweekender.com , http , twitter.com or youtube.com

Strand of Oaks perform "Two Kids" from their album "Leave Ruin" at Cafe Montmartre in Madison, WI on April 12th, 2009. Muzzleofbees.com

Strand Of Oaks performs "Kill Dragon" live in-studio for HearYa.com. The session was recorded in downtown Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound and sponsored by BEER NUTS Brand Snacks. Hear more live sessions at www.HearYa.com Eat sweet and salty nuts at http Record your music at www.ShirkMusic.com Camera-Op Editor: Stephen Shirk Audio Producer/Engineer: Stephen Shirk

Strand of Oaks performs "Sterling" on stage with Juniper Tar at the Muzzleofbees.com SXSW Backyard BBQ on Friday, March 19th.