Fox and Bones opening for ZZ Ward at Revolution Hall on February 17—click to see more photos by John AlcalaIn today’s relentless media culture full of never-ending social streams, terms like “hardest working band” get bandied about in email subject lines and press kits—often a publicist’s earnest attempt to differentiate and elevate their artistic clients to the highest rung possible.
I have no idea if Sarah Vitort and Scott Gilmore of Fox and Bones are working any harder than anyone else, but seeing is believing and I can tell you that they are busting their asses to make a go of their music careers.
The pair booked, promoted and hosted the third annual Portland’s Folk Festival at the Crystal Ballroom in January—an incredible showing of local music and stronger community—and then immediately headed into the studio at The Rye Room with Matt Greco. Working on new music during those sessions (and previous ones), the couple recorded their new single “Already Here (Music in Modern Times)” with Joe Intile on bass, Matt Salinas on guitar and Jerarmy Burchett on drums.
“It wasn't slated to be a single but the track really bloomed into something that we couldn't ignore,” Gilmore tells. “At the end of the day, we were listening to the completed track with the session's musicians and the vibe was so strong we decided at that moment it had to be the next single.”
Celebrate the release of Fox and Bones' new single on Dutch Records at the Doug Fir on February 26—CLICK HERE to win tickets!It’s “an ode to this generation of musicians and artists who are trying to make a living in today's challenging climate. It was born from the triumphs and tribulations that we've faced in our own career while living on the road the past four years. It is also an exercise in self-actualization. Making it in the music industry isn't about earning an amount of money or fame; it is about creating something that you love with people you adore.”
“The song itself was written during our 2019 U.S. tour as we were experiencing the highs and lows of being professional musicians,” Gilmore continues. “To be successful in the field, you're required to sacrifice your pride, money and your time. You go from having an amazing show one night, to being ignored the next. It is a side of the industry that many don't see and we wanted to give a glimpse of what the modern musician's experience is.”
For Fox and Bones, the grind is paying off in multiple ways. Their fan base continues to grow, which means their community is stronger than ever. And that includes fresh admiration from Dutch Records, the duo’s new label. “Already Here (Music in Modern Times)” is their first release with the Portland-based imprint (also home to Shook Twins, Brad Parsons, Dirty Revival and Ezra Bell), and Gilmore says, “We feel honored to join their stellar roster and can't wait to start building something special together. If there is one thing we've learned about the music industry, it's that you can accomplish anything with a good team, and we've found that at Dutch.”
