“On their excellent debut, One Horse Shy deftly manages the delicate balance between intelligence and memorable melody, soul and song craft. Their heartfelt Americana is showcased on one of the finest CDs to come out of our local region. Given their charisma in live performance as well, they have quickly built a regional following and have clear potential for national recognition.”
Better Life, One Horse Shy’s latest release and follow-up to its 2008 self-titled debut album, is ripe with the same heartfelt lyrics and soulful harmonies that originally caught listeners’ attention. In songs like “Old Muddy River,” Manda Bryn’s silky-smooth voice carries us through musings on philosophical issues like where we go when life ends. The rich storytelling in these songs takes listeners through sagas rich with metaphor and iconography, from talk of revolution to conversations with a devil. Traditional themes give these songs a sense of old-time comfort, like a familiar lullaby or folk song. The wide array of musical instruments in these songs creates a country-like sound that explodes with surprise.
One Horse Shy is a Roots/Rock band that calls Ashland, Oregon home. Musically, the band mixes country rhythm, rock stance and bluegrass rambles pushed through classic Americana instruments such as mandolin, lap steel, Dobro, National guitars and accordion. Manda Bryn, with capable assistance from Cris Kelly, pours in vocals that are pure emotion and attitude. All of this would make for a great live show but what makes ‘Better Life’, their second effort, shine is the songwriting. Manda and Cris are singer/songwriters. They bring that style to the songs of One Horse Shy and channel their songs through a Roots/Rock sound. The results make for listening pleasure.
The story lines ride across haunting low end rumbles (“Ghostman”), bleed with plaintive confessions (“Monkeys’ Paw”), float over rhythms that move like mist (“Old Muddy River”) and sway on the front porch with the sound of a hot night singalongs (“Radio”). One Horse Shy creates feelings from sounds, emotion from words. ‘Better Life’ is given life by their songs. It is born on the belief that Manda Bryn has something to say and the vehicle to get the message across like a sage’s advice.
" country-rock gusto, string- band subtlety and pinpoint harmonies that sweep across the music like a rootsy rainbow.."
One Horse Shy
[COUNTRY] In these apocalyptic times, wherein the next big country musicians (read: pop stars) are plucked from shows like American Idol and Nashville Star, it's nice to know that good, real country music still exists in the form of Ashland's Americana folk band One Horse Shy. Frontwoman Manda Bryn's twangy voice is reminiscent of Gillian Welch and perhaps even a softer (OK, much softer) Reba. Bryn's bandmates complement her pipes nicely with simple arrangements of mandolin, guitar, gentle harmonies and a steady high-hat rhythm. The upbeat "Mandagrass" will make you long for lilac-covered fields, even if you haven't left the city in years. ANNIE BETHANCOURT. – Willamette Week
"...features gorgeous vocals of Manda Bryn backed by a gang of roots musicians, including the badass lap steel guitar licks of Bob Evoniuk. "
"...best of the best... clever roots country outfit"
"Manda Bryn sings as if she knows something the audience doesn’t - and her voice is the agent of insight. It is this communication that gives her such a demanding and artful presence on stage."
"One Horse Shy is very good at what they do--playing fun, high-energy country tunes..."
"Glistening female vocals."
"Your CD has been on repeat since your amazing show at Silver Moon in Bend. My room mate didn't even see you and she's in love with you too! Come Back!"
April 12, 2007 One Horse Shy By Mark A. Curci For the Tidings Watching Cris Kelly and Manda Bryn bicker about their music reminds one of the old June Carter, Johnny Cash days of singing "Jackson." The duo, the front singer/writers for budding alternative-country band "One Horse Shy," have a distinct passion for their trade. "I wish we could use the term 'country' in the old sense," said Kelly, citing a number of influences for the band's direction stretching across every spectrum of the last century of recorded music. "We are somewhat contemporary, yet pleasantly antiquated," said Bryn. The duo found one another roughly a year and a half ago after pursuing their own solo careers in various realms of folk, before settling upon the country track. "The challenge is to come up with a sound for people in their 50s, but also will still be considered 'cool' by people in their 20s," said Bryn. "Then we, with the band, come up with imagery that will resonate"; it can be quite a challenge, having a specific genre to work within." "Actually, I much prefer having a structure to work within," said Kelly. "A frame to work with, even if it's broad. I know when I'm getting it right and when I'm not." So far, the band's mainly been headlining local venues, particularly the Jefferson State Pub and the Standing Stone as well as Johnny B's in Medford. Just this month they've began spreading out to Portland, Eugene and a few places in-between. "There are too few opportunities for people to be excited about music around here," said Bryn. "But the audience reaction to us gives me a lot of hope." "There's a sort of dismal music scene (here)," said Kelly. "There's the music and the talent; they're here, but there's like three venues. I wish Ashland would raise its voice." Abandoning their solo liberties to merge has been an art unto itself for these fledgling would-be stars. "If our job was just to sit around all day, writing and playing, we'd be happy," said Kelly. "It's not just a financial goal, it's an emotional goal." "I guess, whereas most people dread the stage, since childhood, I felt I was 40 percent more attractive and intelligent when engaging with an audience," said Bryn. "I can let go of the crap in my life; I feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in life; like a cartoon character of myself in every positive way. I feel golden." "When I finish a song, I feel like I've made a good decision in life. I feel success," said Kelly. "But it doesn't last long. I almost immediately start writing again." This presents a dichotomy between the two, as Bryn takes much, much longer in the writing process and finds her shine under the spotlights. "I'm the opposite; I'm very selfish," said Bryn. "I write for closure. Connecting with the audience helps me relate. (Feeling) that my ridiculous, dramatic life is actually pretty normal. It helps me understand it." Helping facilitate these dreams are recent band addition Mysha Caruso, on bass, and Bryan Helfrich, on drums. Helfrich has a vast lexicon of music at his disposal, having toured with gothic metal industrial bands, and dabbling in Brazilian music as well. "He's an enigma, that Bryan," said Bryn. "With him on board, we took a quantum leap," said Kelly. "And we're lucky to have Mysha for sure." "He's a great singer/songwriter,' said Bryn. And so the band plays on, seeking attention and connection with the heads that bob across Rogue Valley venues. Finding inspiration along the way, and playing minstrel to their muses with voices sweet as the honey they're always singing about Kelly and Bryn may yet find that train stop along the country highway they seek. Just don't expect them to stop the bickering. "We had to switch sides (while performing) because I was always whacking her with my guitar," said Kelly. "Let's just say I was reluctant to switch sides." For more about the band, or CD information, check out www.onehorseshy.net.