FENCES PRESS (more to follow)

KEXP AUDIOASIS

if there is one thing the Northwest is not in short of supply of, it’s acoustic-based low-key songwriters. In the sea of all the music fit for sitting down and self-reflecting, having the right key elements will lead you to be noticed. Add to the acoustic roster new-comer Fences, aka Chris Mansfield. Already garnering attention from the music blogs and local magazines, this solo project holds all that is good about the genre: an ambiance conveying the right mood for a rainy Seattle afternoon or uplifting enough for a lazy sunny outing; catchy lyrics repetitive enough to sing along after only your first listen; a beat poppy enough to nod your head along; introspective and analytical lyrics. Mansfield’s influences are evident, yet I will spare the name-dropping; you will know who I would compare him to after taking a listen. The edge Mansfield adds to be outside the rest is the gentle percussion he adds, thanks to a person only listed on his MySpace page as “Matt.” There is also a breezy jazz feel mixed with a classic country sound throughout the songs. I was told Fences is based out of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood — this fact adds a new perspective to two lyrics in particular that caught my ear. In “My Girl the Horse”, he repeats, “Neither one of us/will make it down/this hill alive.” Sung from the perspective of a girl, “Boys Around Here” contains the observation: “Boys round here/ don’t respect a thing/ don’t respect a thing at all.” I am not aware of his intentions with these lyrics, but to some they could hold a truthfulness to his current locale; however, they could easily be related by the listener about many places or situations, which is another positive quality of his work. Even if you are feeling a bit burned out on the quietude of all the acoustic music flowing around the area, it is worth listening to one more project with Fences’ The Ultimate Puke. RACHEL LEBLANC

SEATTLE SOUND MAGAZINE

The solo project of one Chris Mansfield, Fences is a welcome addition of quiet folk to Seattle. While the man can mix a tender whisper with some urban grit (in this case, tattoos), he is no Elliott Smith rip-off. Mansfield simply has more uplift to his lyricism. Spare, stoic and beautiful, “The Same Tattoos” (and the rest of the demo it arrived on) signals a bright new talent MARK BAUMGARTEN


BAND OF THE WEEK

"Solo Act of the Week Sporting a Name Like a Band. We can’t say we’re totally wild about the tattooage (actually, it freaks us out a lot), but Seattle’s Fences, aka Chris Mansfield, is something we could see ourselves getting pretty darn wild about. Don’t let the skin décor fool you (like we clearly did), Fences is soulful, starkly intimate, and downright passionate in his delivery and songcraft. We’re reminded in moments of heroes like Rocky Votolato, and even, gulp gulp, coulditbetrue??, Elliott Smith. Is enamourment a word? Okay, we’re enamored. Fences will be playing the February installment (and return) of EERIE, at the Mars Bar with Blue Checkered Record Player and Neal Burton (of Patient Patient). Before then, check it: www.myspace.com/fencesvswolf." WIGFITSALLHEADS.COM


THREE IMAGINARY GIRLS REVIEW

"Art, home accouterments and dead people's furniture" is ex-Murder City Devils frontman Spencer Moody's (Now in Triumph of Lethargy) description of his store The Anne Bonny in Capitol Hill. The shop is a full of fun stuff to check out and currently is also home to a really impressive gallery of art done by Derek Erdman. Aside from all this, Spencer also throws occasional yet always special, intimate music shows in the space.

Previous nights have showcased several northwest musical legends including David Baazan and Ben Gibbard. Although younger than them, Fences fit right in the packed upstairs of the Anne Bonney. His songs tell a different story than you'd expect from first glance at the tattooed, and as he says he's sometimes perceived "sketchy" Chris Mansfield. Love, Temptation, Regrets, and Family are all sung about in the many stories told in his simple yet intriguing music.

Fences took the stage in great spirits, playing to a packed uppstairs area of the Anne Bonney. The room had a warmth that truely felt fitting on a crisp fall Seattle night. The crowd was attentive yet still fun during the personal set. Between songs Chris told some stories of his past in the Eastcoast and dedicated several songs to friends and family that have affected his music.

The performance was filmed for an upcoming DVD which should be a great look back at such a unique showcase with a songwriter who seems like truly promising talent in a city he has grown to love."- KYLE JOHNSON


DYNAMOMAG.BLOGSPOT

"Stumbled across them in Tegan and Sara's Top Friends (biased? just a little..) on Myspace. Disguised in a gorgeous mass of tattoos.. these tough looking guys have more up their sleeve than one would imagine.


Completely opposite from expected, their music is nice and relaxing. Surprisingly delicate, too, melody wise. Their lyrics are simple but well thought of. Metaphorical, literal and symbolic. It's all mixed up in a lovely way.


My personal favorite is The Knees, from their EP The Ultimate Puke (so says their Myspace). It sneaks up on you and catches you unexpectedly with its amazing lyrics. "Holding on to battle scars, and cuts below the knees I've got from you. These bruises are all my friends."


In short, it's a band to keep an eye on. I think lots of great things can be expected from them.

(and, seriously, the tattoos are amazing)"

SOUND AS LANGUAGE

"Every now and again, the hours spent clicking random Myspace links pays off in a big way. Seattle’s Chris Mansfield and Matt Beacham, collectively known as Fences, are easily my best accidental find of the year. An intimate, introspective brand of poppy acoustic folk music that isn’t just another drop in the bucket of Northwestern singer/songwriters. Everything about the four songs I’ve heard from the forthcoming The Ultimate Puke EP (due out in September - don’t let the name fool you) is instantly memorable and will have you singing right along after the first play. This is a beautiful collection of songs to say the least.

I haven’t been this excited about an acoustic songwriter since Mike Kinsella started recording as Owen — it’s that good. I suspect that you’ll be hearing a lot about Fences in the future, so you might as well hop on board now."