By Lisa Morgan –
Here I sit at my computer pumping out articles as articulately as I can, burning the pages of my thesaurus to paint an inspiring picture of our valley’s ample supply of original musical talent. I had an entire soliloquy written for Pictures of Eden…and then I read their own description on their website, picturesfromeden.com. I was forced to delete my own words deciding that you should meet them as they introduce themselves through their own proverbial pen and verbal paint.
Pictures of Eden According to Pictures of Eden:
Paul Cotterell (Guitar & Lead Vocals) Born into a Greek family of goose herders, Paul found his skill of singing in the midst of consoling suicidal geese. As word made it through neighboring towns that through his voice he was able to cure the unstable minds of so many depressed animals, his presence was soon sought after by even the most noble of local farmers, including a local goat hypnotist (Eduardo) who taught Paul the art of song writing. The two spent countless hours writing such famous tunes as “Where is My Goat” and “Goats Never Leave” but it was merely a stepping stone into Paul’s musical career. Today, armed with a guitar and a rubber glove, Paul is chasing his musical career to the limit.
Tom Collins (Lead Guitar) – Tom was born the son of a Chinese Acrobat who was well travelled; it must be where he acquired his talents. Tom’s first guitar was made from a splintered wagon wheel with wound horse mane (it was difficult to tune). He finally ended up with a cigar box guitar made by some Amish guy. Though his equipment has improved through the years, he’ll never forget that cigar box. Tom has played in various bands in various places, like his house and/or the neighbor’s driveway.
Dennis Gallagher (Bass Guitar & Background Vocals) – Dennis is the grandson of a Russian migrant farm worker who, after escaping the motherland during the Bolshevik Revolution, settled in the rural mountains of Mexico, far from the chaos in Juarez. His blond hair and blue eyes kept him from being fully accepted by the brown-skinned natives, although he once traded a sack of avocados for a sombrero and a machaca burrito. His first bass was a rotating clothesline which he found difficult to play on windy days. He has spent many hours playing for birds, insects and four-legged mammals while hanging out in the woods. His is currently experimenting with harmony, melody, and rhythm all at the same time.
Pictures From Eden According to Lisa Morgan:
This band is a beautiful collection of rather serious and inspired musicians despite their surface levity and obvious refusal to take themselves too seriously. Their “demo” which, in front man Paul Cotterell’s opinion, falls short in production quality from his perfectionist point of view is a very clean, well-produced and enjoyable collection of original music to this music fanatic’s ear. Paul’s vocals are reflective of the songwriting style projecting an honesty and emotion with a very 90’s alternative rock edge, a wonderful thing in my opinion. Tom Collins’ guitar drives and soars or cries and sings in the background framing each song as it demands. He has the touch of an extremely tenured player, never overplaying and always smooth. Dennis Gallagher, a guy I know and love as my good friend, provides the steady bass reflective of his personality: dependable, positive and attentive to the music as a whole, conscientious and never self-promoting. He plays cohesively with drummer Justin Harvey creating a tasteful yet powerful rhythm section.
The collective work of this band is reminiscent of the music that we 30 to 40 “somethings” (ok, maybe 40-ish “somethings”) grew up hearing in the glam rock era with a softer touch, less screaming, way better hair, and an alternative, contemporary edge. Overall, Pictures from Eden is a refreshingly intelligent coalition. I think they are going to be the perfect opening band for The International Swingers this Friday, February 8th, at 8pm via the Date Shed in Indio. I also think that they will soon be requiring their own opening act. You can also see them at The Hood Bar in Palm Desert, Saturday night, February 16th along with Spankshaft.
Lyrically poetic, the songs all carry a strong, positive perspective even when they represent pain. Paul summed up the objective of their music for me: “We have an opportunity as musicians to help a lot of people. I think music is therapy. I think people are better off with good music than a therapist sometimes. The things in my life that were transformed were usually through music. As musicians we have a responsibility, and we don’t seem to get that impact as much anymore through lyrics. I enjoy writing from a sense that I can identify with other peoples hardships because I’ve been through hard times and it’s nice to know that you can give back through music that way.”
Follow them on Facebook or check out the website I stole their bio information from at picturesfromeden.com.
