James Shumway Music
ELYSIAN FIELDS
EPK
"This album feels like a true masterpiece of genuine rock songwriting. The instrumentation is rich, authentic, and beautifully blended, with powerful drums, expressive vocals, and arrangements that give every song its own personality. Each track brings something different while maintaining a consistent artistic vision, creating a listening experience that feels complete and carefully crafted." --Obliq
"This record is an absolute joy to experience from start to finish." --Beach House Music Blog
"Definition is a compelling album that proves great songwriting never goes out of style. Elysian Fields combine engaging musicianship, expressive performances and thoughtful lyricism to create a record that still feels fresh decades after its original release." --FV Music Blog
"The album carries the true rock spirit and will get any music fan pumped with joy as they tune into this sonic odyssey that actually feels otherworldly." --Testing Melodies
"'Definition' strikes froth, a rocking release brimming with energy and uncompromising, unforgiving vitality. Whether it's the angelic vocals, the razor-sharp guitars, the relentless rhythm, or the ferocious percussion, the result is an intense 48-minute frenzy of pure passion.". —Carousel
PRESS RELEASE AND BIO
Press Release
Contact Info:
James Shumway Music
Email: sycamoreproductionsllc@gmail.com
Phone: 385-375-4412
Website: https://jamesshumwaymusic.com/epk-2
Utah Band Elysian Fields Re-releases their Album “Definition”
Note: This article is about the Utah-based band Elysian Fields, not to be confused with the band by the same name from Brooklyn, NY.
Utah pop-rock band Elysian Fields has re-released their critically acclaimed 1995 album “Definition,” featuring the songwriting talents of James Shumway and Mark Roos and the soaring vocals of Kerri Murray. Originally released on CD, the re-release will bring their music to a world-wide audience:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2YOJ3Vyl60BoR7Lr0In8Xf
“Definition” was recorded by renowned producer Cliff Maag, and received positive reviews on its original release. The Deseret News proclaimed it “a breath of fresh air” amidst the music scene of the time, adding it was “definitely one for the local band collector.”
The album is a blend of 80s/90s pop and rock influences, but at the heart of Elysian Fields’ music is a connection to the human experience—the pursuit of dreams, the joy of finding love, the tragedy of losing it, an emotional connection to nature, etc.
The band began recording “Definition” before they had played a single live show, defining in the studio what would later become their live sound. The album’s re-release now brings the sound of Elysian Fields to a whole new audience world-wide.
BIO
In 1993, Mark Roos and James Shumway, who had previously been in a band in high school, began songwriting together again. Their hunt for a lead singer led to them meeting Kerri, soon to be Kerri Murray, who had just moved to Utah from Arizona.
The band was officially formed in early 1994, and because the trio were so pleased with the music they were creating, a plan was made to record a full-length album before they had played a single live show.
The name chosen for the band was Elysian Fields, after the paradise for the blessed in Greek mythology, and the studio chosen for recording the album was the Record Lab run by renowned producer Cliff Maag, who had worked with a number of famous artists.
Jeff Francom, who lived near the studio, was hired as the studio drummer, and later became the band’s official drummer. Dale Sandberg, who worked as Cliff’s assistant at the Record Lab, later became the band’s official bass player.
Throughout 1995 Elysian Fields played live shows around the state of Utah, and the album “Definition” was released in November of that year to positive reviews. The Deseret News, one of Utah’s largest newspapers, hailed the album as "a breath of fresh air" amidst the music scene of the time and said it was "definitely one for the local band collector.”
“Staying with You,” a tender ballad about finding one’s soulmate, became an instant hit with fans. Other fan favorites included “Wings to Fly,” “My Fantasy,” “When the Days Get Hot,” and “Desert Sky.”
The band’s live show was a reflection of the album and included additional original songs, plus cover songs from other artists. James Shumway and Jeff Francom sung background vocals to Kerri Murray’s lead, and Francom was known for his remarkable ability to sing while playing drums at the same time.
Roos left the band in early 1996 and was replaced by guitarist Kevin Weiss, and the band continued to perform throughout the state until disbanding later that year. Even though Elysian Fields was together for a short time, their album “Definition” will stand as a musical achievement to be enjoyed by fans for generations to come.
