HOIST THE COLORS

Hoist the Colors Los Angeles, CA Hailing from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, Hoist the Colors plays a blend of punk rock, traditional Irish music, Americana, and bluegrass that is as eclectic and original as the city they call home. Hoist the Colors began humbly, in lead singer and songwriter Josh Linden’s living room in 2007. “A few friends and I were bored and began learning Irish rebel songs and Pogues covers on these acoustic instruments that we really didn’t know how to play,” he recalls. Soon the friends recruited a drummer and fiddle player, began writing their own versions of rebel songs, and started playing at local bars under the name Hoist the Colors. Raucous and spirited performances attracted a loyal following and word quickly spread. While punk was the common bond that brought the group together, an appreciation for all types of music pushed them to hone their sound and write original material. “We all grew up playing punk rock, but we also had the benefit of being exposed to tons of other types of music,” explains lead singer and primary songwriter Josh Linden. “In addition to bands like Bad Brains, the Descendents, and NOFX, we all love traditional Irish and American folk music, as well as classic American songwriters like Springsteen and Dylan. The beauty of this band is that there is nothing we can’t do, no genre or style we won’t explore.” The band is currently recording their second studio album entitled Miles to go Before We Sleep at The Porch Studio in Hermosa Beach with Ken Seaton. The new album will be their first for Seaton’s Hardline Entertainment, and features Hoist’s signature arrangements and Americana-influenced sound. The first song from the album, “Sail on Sweet Soul,” was recently included on Hardline’s Music Comp Volume 2, a free, twelve-song compilation of tracks by Authority Zero, Death By Stereo, The Darlings, Versus the World, AllurA, and more. Hoist The Colors has shared their story with the likes of Ignite, Authority Zero, The Black Pacific, Versus the World, The Ramshackle Army (Australia), The Young Dubliners, Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds, and many more. Now with a solid lineup featuring Linden (mandolin and vocals), Ryan Sharp (tenor banjo), Camilo Barahona (fiddle), Sina Etesami (acoustic guitar, backing volcas), Jeff Murphy (electric guitar), Fabian de la Torre (bass, backing vocals), and Ivan de la Torre (drums), Hoist the Colors plans to tour non stop. Miles to go Before We Sleep is slated for a fall 2012 release. Hoist the Colors’ debut album, Second City, is currently available for purchase on iTunes and available for streaming on Rhapsody and Spotify.