The musical blend of these two is such that whether they're going electric with drums and amps or with the stripped-down string band lineup, their music is always original and compelling with Hilton's sweet, soothing vocals and Kneebone's flawless guitar picking....

August 18, 2005
Flag’s psychedelic Americana ambassadors release Song in My Hand
by: Ryan Heinsius

There’s just something to the Porchlights. Maybe it’s the guitar virtuosity of Flag music veteran Wild Billy Kneebone. Maybe it’s the hippy mother guru aura to vocalist and guitarist Deb Hilton. Maybe it’s the comfortable, dreamy chemistry between the two that is exuded every time they take the stage. Whatever the intangible draw, the Porchlights have risen to become one of Flag’s most consistent and recognizable bands. With their newest record Song in My Hand, the duo, with their impressive cadre of music cohorts, has solidified their lazy, lackadaisical folk/bluegrass/blues into something that transcends mere bar band bravado. Song in My Hand is a collection of 11 songs written, save one tune, by Hilton and Kneebone, the core of the Porchlights, and features expert northern Arizona musicians like the ubiquitous, fleet-fingered mandolinist Aaron Tyler, drummer and rhythm master Andrew Lauher, and Jerome studio maestro Steve Botterweg, also on drums.

On Song in My Hand, Hilton’s vocals have a sweet, friendly and calming quality to them. Her lyrics and singing style always sound like a friend’s soothing voice. Likewise, Kneebone’s guitar playing is akin to someone leaning in close for a juicy secret. Known mostly for his electric picking, Kneebone’s acoustic playing on the record is clean and fast but not over-the-top, a common pitfall among electric players making an acoustic detour.

The first track on the record, “Hippy High Rise,” captures the quintessential Flagstaff experience describing the joyous, self-imposed poverty and squalor that many endure to remain in the town. “Chemtrails” is a Woody Guthrie-esque rant against the forces that reel in the human spirit. In the tune Hilton takes a stab at the dwindling Red Rock Pass program in Sedona as well as the nation’s drug laws. “Without a pass, without a Red Rock Pass, I like to live on my own,” sings Hilton. And later, “Don’t give me no hemp laws, don’t give me no hemp laws, I like to live on my own.” The tune is complemented by a couple of smokin’ mando solos by Aaron Tyler (standard for him) and some sweet acoustic flatpicking by Kneebone.

The sixth track on the album, “Song in My Hand,” can in many ways be viewed as the mission statement for the Porchlights. “Spread the love and not the fear, choose the way every day,” sings Hilton, with her sweet, suggestive but understated vocal delivery. Kneebone’s reverb-drenched vintage Stratocaster sound provides a perfect foil to Hilton’s sugary vixen-in-disguise persona.

The next track, the instrumental “It’s a Hoot,” takes quite a departure from the rest of the songs on Song in My Hand. With a Thompson Twins-type synth trippiness and an atmospherically adventurous “Revolution 9” collage feel, the song lets the listener in on a little more of the goings-on in Ms. Hilton’s and Mr. Kneebone’s minds.

The ninth track on Song in My Hand, “Song for Mista Hicks,” is a Kneebone-written instrumental ode to the keeper of the Lenny Bruce flame, comedian Bill Hicks. Kneebone and Hilton also dedicate the album to Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994.

The Porchlights will have an album release for Song in My Hand Sun, Aug. 21 at 4pm at the Mountainaire Tavern, 110 Mountainaire Road. For more info, see www.porchlights.20m.com or call 525-1137.

"The Porchlights mix earthy funk with bluegrass for a uniquely Northern Arizona sound"

"This band blends music of Old World America with modern folk and rock to produce a soulful sound."

"Some of Flagstaff's favorite musicians...always great lead guitar."

"...the backbone of the (Southwest) Hempfest..."

"On Friday, Nov. 18, at 7pm the Granite Peak Folk Sessions presents two Arizona acts representing Phoenix and Flagstaff. Songwriter and recording atrist Eddie Elliott comes up from the Valley while audience favorites The Porchlights, with duo Deb Hilton and Wild Billy Kneebone, venture down from the mountains.

Formed in 1999 on a back porch in the mountains of Northern Arizona, the Porchlights' music has major influences of rock, folk, bluegrass, and jamband, with hints of country, all blended together to create their "signature sound".

A local paper has dubbed the sound as Psychedelic Acousto-Billy Folk Rock and Roll Dance Music, and Kneebone is easily one of the best guitarists around. They have recently released their new album, Song In My Hand.