Pleasant Grove so named for a Dallas, Texas suburb, was formed by co-vocalists / guitarists Bret Egner and Marcus Striplin. They were drawn together by a vision to write and play music that captured raw melancholy melodies laid out over slow spacious rhythmic harmonies. Pleasant Grove released their self-titled debut album on a regional label in 1999. It speaks to the down-and-out ache of classic Texas country, yet still flows with the sonic outbursts of an electric Neil Young, the Flaming Lips or an out of control Alex Chilton. The George Jones meets Pink Floyd sound grabbed the attention of German label Glitterhouse Records when they saw PG at a SXSW showcase in 2000. Glitterhouse did a European release of the self-titled record in 2001 and the critically acclaimed follow-up record Auscultations of the Heart the following year. Pleasant Grove toured off both Glitterhouse releases. In 2004, Pleasant Grove released The Art of Leaving in the states on Badman Recording Co. The extensive touring and work that followed its release took a toll on the band especially Marcus Striplin one of the founding members. While working on the follow up to The Art of Leaving, Striplin moved to New York and eventually settled in Austin, TX.
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