Callow is a Dream Doom duo based in the San Francisco Bay Area.callowmusic.com Its members are Gared Moses (vocals, guitar) and Sami Knowles (drums, keyboard, vocals). They are known for their dark and doom-y music, and evocative live shows."1078 Gallery Goes Deep Friday" Interview. Synthesis Weekly. 9 June 2014"Callow at DNA Lounge" SF Gate. 22 August 2014.
History
Gared ( Red) Moses was born in Vancouver, Washington, and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, with his family as a youth. He began writing and playing music at a young age, and in college he wrote scores for theater productions at Salt Lake Community College.Daily Utah Chronicle Interview. 17 April 2014. by Lynette Randall For several years he operated and co-owned Ruby Records (2000–2005), and wrote for the Indie Music Spotlight (a monthly column in Salt Lake Underground Magazine)."Old Mexico" 6 August 2004. by Gared Moses Sami Knowles was born and raised in Utah. She studied French and Dance at Southern Utah University. She danced professionally for ABD Productions and many others before becoming a musician. She traveled to Haiti in 2009 to study Haitian drum and dance with Rara Toulimen."Callow - Haunting and Beautiful" Interview. 9 April 2014. San Francisco Chronicle, by Tony Dushane
Former badapple frontman, Gared Moses, formed Callow while in Salt Lake City and enjoyed moderate success before moving to San Francisco, where he met Sami Knowles. They reformed Callow as a duo and began playing together in the fall of 2009."Callow Takes Salt Lake with Less Candy and More Howling" Interview. 17 April 2014. The Daily Utah Chronicle, by Lynette Randall
Their first album, Orb Weaver, was recorded and mixed by themselves and various friends while touring and travelling. www.callowmusic.com It was released on Portland-based indie label NXNW Records in May 2012. SLUG Magazine compared it to The Velvet Underground, saying, "what punk rock would have been had it evolved from The Velvet Underground's airy slowness rather than their minimalism.""Orb Weaver Album Review" 6 September 2012. Slug Magazine, by Alexander Ortiz The song "Old Horse" was voted "Best Song" by Noise Pop voters in the San Francisco Music Video Race 2013.Music Video Race
Their second album, Blue Spells, was recorded live to magnetic tape in their home studio, and was released on cassette by NXNW Records.NXNW Records The San Francisco Chronicle described it as "haunting and beautiful, with angst and tension balanced with primal minimalism."
Blues Spells was premiered by Surviving the Golden Age,"Blue Spells Album Premier" 12 November 2013. Surviving the Golden Age. and ranked in the top five in a Magnet (magazine) poll.Magnet Magazine Poll 15 November 2014 Moses' vocals were compared to a "tortured and slowcore-laden doppelganger of Adam Stephens of Two Gallants."Blue Spells Album Review. 4 December 2014. Slug Magazine, by Gregory Gerulat
The Single "Strange" was premiered by The Vinyl District,Strange Premier 30 August 2013. The Vinyl District. and was Song of the Day on KDHX radio.Song of the Day 5 November 2013. KDHX radio. The single "Philosophy" was premiered by Mad Mackerel, and described as "a sweetly sombre classic of pensive restraint and yearning melancholy that leaves palpable echoes hanging in the air long after the song has finished."Philosophy Premier 24 October 2013. Mad Mackerel Songs "Black" and "The Heavy Sermon" were mixed by Brandon Eggleston (sound engineer for Swans, The Mountain Goats, Tune-Yards). The rest of the album was mixed by Rob Bartleson and Yarn F Miners at Haywire Records in Portland.Fearless Radio Podcast 5 October 2013. Interview, by Kris Littman
Their 2013/2014 Blue Spells tour included official showcases at Sled Island and CMJ, and several shows at SXSW."Callow announces US tour dates" . 4 April 2014. The Bay Bridged
2018 saw the release of the third album, Mothdust, on vinyl. The Bay Bridged noted that: "all their previous releases have a certain degree of grit, but their confidence and chops are really on display here."
Members
Gared Moses - vocals, guitar Sami Knowles - drums, keyboard, vocals
Former Members
Tim Watson - bass Tony Esterbrooks - drums Branden Jenkins - drums Rob Goodson - guitar (Warm Soda, Thought Riot)
Collaborators
Brandon Eggleston - mixing, Blue Spells & Mothdust Sammy Fielding (Ancient Owl) - recording & mixing, Mothdust Pall Jenkins - musical saw (The Black Heart Procession, Three Mile Pilot) Joey Chang - cello (CelloJoe) David Conway - recording & mixing, Orb Weaver Alex Laipenieks - recording & mixing, EP Mike Stone - recording & mixing, Orb Weaver
Discography
Albums
Orb Weaver (May 3, 2012) - CD, Download Blue Spells (Nov 19, 2013) - CD, Cassette, Download Mothdust (Oct 19, 2018) - Vinyl, Download
EPs
Self-Titled (June, 2010) - out of print
Singles
"Always About The Ones Who Have It All" (Jan 20, 2017) "Go Down" (May 18, 2017) "Strange" (August 30, 2013) - Download "Philosophy" - (October 24, 2013) - Download
References
External links Callow official website