Light In The Attic Docs Presents: The Rock-n-Roll Farmers: Donnie & Joe Emerson

"'Baby' has been a staple on just about every playlist/mixtape I've assembled in the past 3 years. It is nothing short of sublime." -- Ariel Pink

Pacific Northwest isolation mixed with wide-eyed ambition, a strong sense of family and the gift of music proved to be quite the combination for teenage brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson. Originally released in 1979, Dreamin' Wild is the sonic vision of the talented Emerson boys, recorded in a family built home studio in rural Washington State. Situated in the unlikely blink-and-you-missed-it town of Fruitland and far removed from the late 1970s punk movement and the larger disco boom, Donnie and Joe tilled their own musical soil, channeling bedroom pop jams, raw funk, and yacht rock.

Spurred on their high school's music program, Donnie and Joe received a further push from their lifelong farmer father, who drew up a contract stating that he'd support his sons lofty ambitions with their very own recording studio as long as they focused on original material, sage advice for a man with zero experience in the music business. After taking out a second mortgage to help cover costs, Don Sr. also built his children a 300-capacity concert hall (dubbed Camp Jammin') replete with ticket booth, stage, and fully functioning snack bar. The only problem was that the projected audience never quite materialized, despite a prime time TV profile entitled "The Rock And Roll Farmers" from nearby Spokane, Washington. Even the Emerson brother's school pals were nonplussed at their privately pressed long player; hand distributed to local music stores, but not as far as Seattle, five hours away from their rural home. Somewhat rejected by the muted response, but never surrendering, both Donnie and Joe continued down a musical path and are still active as performers today.

This rare slice of bedroom-funk gets the usual Light In The Attic treatment with newly remastered audio, detailed liner notes, and expanded original album art with loads of photos from the Emerson's collection. Available on CD, Digital, and 180-gram LP June 26, 2012. Audio samples, more info and to pre-order, visit http://lightintheattic.net/releases/7...

Directed by Matt Sullivan and Michelle M. Witten
Produced by Matt Sullivan
Cinematography and Sound by Ryan McMackin
Edited by Michelle M. Witten

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  Entertainment

[mistertai]

Hey LITA... can you tell us if the LP reissue has been cut from the master tapes?

[Light In The Attic Records]

Hi @mistertai - We spent the better half of a year going through hours of tapes the Emerson's had. It was a costly journey and unfortunately they had either lost or recorded over the original stereo 2-track master tapes for the album. So we were forced to go from a needle drop for the reissue. We had at our disposal multiple sealed copies so we had our most excellent mastering engineer source from best available copies. We think it came out amazing!

[LeslieAnnGrove]

Fine video. Thanks to Light in the Attic for the doing this job and doing it so well! Besdies, when really good musicians are also authentic, really good people, it makes their success look even sweeter. Cheers to all!

[Dallas McLean]

I grew up listening to everyone jamming at the Emerson studio and the Steele's place...those of you that grew up there know what I am talking about

[Donna French]

I want more of their Music.....



[babolofia]

Great stuff! Great family!

[Mike Contreras]

Best unearthed and rediscovered album of 2012! I spin this regularly at the record shop where I work.

[chuckbirth]

You're Johnny Gregg? Nice! I really like "Jazz Raga" and all of Gabor's music.

[chuckbirth]

Amazing record! Thank you Emersons and thank you LITA for reissuing it. Greetings from Portugal.

[Joseph B]

Way to go guys! Better late than never. Unlike my parents, at least your supported our musical endeavors.

[slide4180]

They don't mention a producer. Donnie did it. And wrote it. And played, and sang, what some are saying is a lost gem of blue-eyed soul. Was Donnie Emerson a genius?

[jackscruffy]

A very inspiring story. This is dedication and they were so fortunate to have their father's backing. Check out another Light In The Attic re-issue "Jazz Raga" by Gabor Szabo. Great guitar music and that's me playing bass in 1966.