On January 11th, Oakdale CA, band Built Like Alaska releases the remarkable Autumnland, their first album for California Central Valley spawned labels Future Farmer Recordings and Grandaddy's own Sweat Of The Alps Music Products (a collaboration which hopes to bear more musical fruit in the near future). Another milestone in the band's already illustrious career is the debut of the film "Ellie Parker" (the first feature from writer/director Scott Coffey) at The Sundance Film Festival. The film was scored by and features two tracks from Built Like Alaska. It stars Naomi Watts and Chevy Chase and promises to be BLA's first real break from the shadows of their home state.

The isolation of the Central Valley has provided Built Like Alaska (Neil Jackson-vocals/guitar, Matt Candelario-bass, David Burtch-drums, Susane Reis-keyboards/vocals, Sean Norman- guitars) with the physical and mental space to develop into a creative force. Their new album contains vivid pictures of rural life with all the beauty and struggle that comes with it. Autumnland was recorded in Oakdale CA, near Modesto, by band member Neil Jackson with additional help from friend Lucky Lew, who has also helped on many of Grandaddy's recordings in the past. Autumnland as Neil puts it, "is like smelling the air full of chimney smoke from the first fire of the year or making a homemade Halloween costume when you were a kid, comforting feelings a person hopes they never lose." From the airy keyboards of "Train Wreck" to themes of small-town ennui that permeate "Does Your Mother Feel Sick?" and "Happy Home", Built Like Alaska is able to transcend the open isolation of the central valley with majestic, melanch olic, music.

"During the alleged 'Modesto Music Scene' craze a few years ago, the central valley town that actually delivered the goods was Oakdale. The parties and numerous jam sessions that happened at the Tioga House where Built Like Alaska live and record are treasured moments for all of us lucky enough to be close to them" explains Aaron Burtch of Grandaddy. "Their new LP Autumnland is the summation of seven years plying their craft patiently, writing tiny epics that deliver you to their disturbingly beautiful world of mic stands draped in cobwebs, wind chimes hanging from cow skulls, and prosthetic limbs playing piano."

It seems inevitable that Autumnland found a home on Future Farmer/Sweat Of The Alps. Growing in Valley towns, going to road parties, dodging cops, and listening to great music are common themes that bond all the players together. With such strong ties to their California roots and close friends in Grandaddy there are certain to be unfair comparisons, but the band takes it all in stride. "People who think we actually sound like them aren't listening to the music very attentively" says Neil.

With Autumnland's release on January 11, 2005 Built Like Alaska is about to reach far beyond the central valley. It's about time this gem of a band got unearthed.

Website: www.builtlikealaska.com