Homegrown (all about local bands):

Farma

In every band's career, there is a period around the first independent
release where the band is trying to find their sound. Independent debuts can
be anything from laughable to riveting.  But for those who truly take it
seriously, this can be the most exciting time in a group's career.  A time
when nothing is for certain and anything can happen. After less than two
years together, Farma has released a self-titled EP that reveals them to be
precocious for a band in its infancy.

A five piece band out of San Francisco, Farma bills themselves as
"Psych-Americana".  What exactly is "psych-Americana"?  Start with the
ethereal trippiness of your favorite psychedelic band: Floyd, Flaming Lips,
Sgt. Pepper era Beatles and cross that ever so delicately with  the roots
rock of The Band, Elliot Smith, or Tom Petty.  Add a sprig of country &
western  and serve.  This unique blend of styles has graced the stages of
such bay area venues as Starry Plough, Berkeley, Red Devil Lounge, SF, and
Last Day Saloon, SF and Santa Rosa.  In December 2004 Farma released a 6
song E.P. and has since gained national distribution through Wishing Tree
records.

Josh Holiday delivers his illustrative narratives with a casual tongue
letting the band's colorful arrangements build the restrained energy that is
paradigmatic of their sound.  A broad sonic palette is used by
keyboardist/guitarist Date Ming to complement the rest of the band in a
subtle & powerful way.  Guitarist Tom Jaye rounds out the three part vocal
harmonies that help to make these songs so likeable.  Bassist Dominic
Henri's solid rhythmic interpretation of the harmonic statements laid down
by Ming, Holiday, & Jaye acts as a sonic adhesive to the orchestral stylings
of accomplished drummer/percussionist Mie. "Mie is the soul and the work
ethic of this band," says Jaye. "Our shows are never complete without the
crowd going nuts seeing this little Japanese chick taking a ferocious drum
solo."

"Midnight rider" stands as a psychedelic highlight to the cd.  Its moody
groove creeps along a la "Riders on the Storm"setting an eerie tone for the
tragic tale of James Dean & Jayne Mansfields' legendary end.  One of their
longer cuts, "Midnight Rider" serves as a perfect example of Farma's
restrained energy.  The listener anticipates the loud, powerful,  Wagnerian
passages but are lead on by a constant groove which prolongs the inevitable
until the final release.  "Mao/Marilyn" illustrates Farma's twisted take on
Americana music.  This love song from Chairman Mao Tsedong to Marilyn Monroe
is a trotting cowboy ballad.  The rich melodies and tender lyrics in this
song just make you want to fall in love (or start a communist
revolution..which ever) as should any good love song.  "Black Moon" is
Farma's answer to "Black Bird." The well placed cd closer that couples
fingerstyle guitar and pretty melodies in a song about redemption.
Between the enjoyable cd and electric live performances, it's easy to see a
bright future for this band.  Check out their website www.farmmusic.com for
upcoming shows, sound files, and alike. With such a mature first outing,
it's very exciting to see what is yet to come from these locals.

Jeff
buyer