Copeland (band)

Copeland
Origin Lakeland, Florida
Genres Alternative rock, indie rock, emo, slowcore, acoustic rock, indie pop, ambient, baroque pop
Years active 2001–2010
Labels Tooth & Nail Records(2008-2010)
Columbia Records(2006-2007)
The Militia Group(2002-2006)
Theory 8 Records(2001)
Academy Fight Song
Associated acts Anchor & Braille, States
Website www.thecopelandsite.com
Past members
Aaron Marsh
Bryan Laurenson
Jonathan Bucklew
Stephen Laurenson
James Likeness
Rusty Fuller
Thomas Blair
Jarrett Smith

Copeland was an indie rock band, originally formed in 2001 by singer Aaron Marsh (who also plays the guitar, mellotron, organ, and piano) with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness, in the city of Lakeland, Florida.

Contents

History

Inception

Aaron Marsh attended a performing arts high school, Harrison Arts Center. Bryan Laurenson, guitarist, and Jonathan Bucklew, drummer (who took the place of Rusty, ex-drummer of Copeland and drummer on 'Beneath Medicine Tree'), gave the band an original sound. In 2002, they signed a record deal with independent label The Militia Group and released their debut album, 'Beneath Medicine Tree', a year later. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 they performed at the annual Cornerstone Florida Festival in Orlando, Florida. 'In Motion', Copeland's second full length CD, was released on March 22, 2005—it was produced by Matt Goldman and Aaron Marsh, and mixed by Ken Andrews. The early copies of In Motion that were issued included a four-song acoustic ep (a compilation of lo-fi versions of songs from 'In Motion' itself), as well as 'Beneath Medicine Tree'.

2006 to 2008

Columbia Records announced their signing of Copeland in a press release dated November 14, 2006.[1]

Beneath Medicine Tree features a heavy medical theme. Aaron Marsh admits that the lyrics in this album were inspired by the hospitalization of his girlfriend and the death of his grandmother. The album booklet includes photographs by then-bassist James Likeness of hospital scenes.[2] Marsh cites that, "With Beneath Medicine Tree, I wanted to make a record that moves people," while "With In Motion, I wanted to make a record that makes people move."[3]

Lead singer Aaron Marsh has also been featured with other bands such as Underoath on their album They're Only Chasing Safety, Anberlin on their album Cities and Lydia on their album Illuminate.

On July 18, 2007 James made public his decision to no longer be a part of Copeland. He cited pursuing a career as a graphic designer (a field in which he has a college degree) as a chief reason in his decision to leave the band.[4]

As of September 6, 2007, Copeland announced that they had officially split ways with Columbia Records.

About a year after ESR they released a B-side album entitled Dressed Up & In Line. It was released on November 20, 2007 and is composed of B-sides, remixes, and a few new songs as well.

Although stated by some to be a Christian band, Aaron Marsh has said that they are not. [5]"I think that's kind of a defective term," Marsh says. "It's not our nature to have religious connotations. We are not a ministry band. We have some people in the band that are Christian, but that is not the focus of our band" and [6]"We have no agenda in our band other than art." Copeland are signed with Tooth & Nail Records, which signs almost exclusively with Christian bands.

2009 to disbanding

On October 29, 2009, Copeland released an official statement that after a farewell tour in the spring, they would be ending Copeland. They made it clear that it was not a bitter break up, they had just run their course as Copeland. They did say that there could possibly be one last studio album, but the spring tour would be their last.[7] As part of their final tour, the band toured Asia, including countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Members

Other projects

Discography

Albums

EPs

=

Instant Live

Copeland teamed up with Instant Live to create a series of 21 limited edition CDs of many of the band's shows during their tour with Daphne Loves Derby, The Spill Canvas, and Melee, between October 13 and November 7, 2005.

Compilation Appearances

Covers

Punk Goes 90s:

Policia! A Tribute to the Police:

Know Nothing Stays the Same (EP):

Friends of P - Tribute to the Rentals:

The Mother of Invention:

Happy Christmas Vol. 4:

Happy Christmas Vol. 5:

Singles

From: Beneath Medicine Tree

From: In Motion

From: Eat, Sleep, Repeat

From: You Are My Sunshine

External links

References