Chase Out The Darkness is the first solo record from 17 year-old singer-songwriter, Preston Cochran. These songs were chosen from dozens of other equally strong songs written during the past 2 years and sound as though they belong on a soundtrack to a Jason Reitman film, (think Juno or Garden State). The Richmond Virginia-based songwriter writes with a level of maturity that belies his 17 years and stylistically channels the best elements of singer-songwriters from bygone era's without sounding the slightest bit derivative or dated. The title of the EP, Chase Out the Darkness comes from a line in the opening track, Shine. "...today's the day I call you mine, Chase Out the Darkness, turn on the shine...I've wanted you for so long." The life cycle of relationships provide the thematic basis for the EP. Shine, Wake Up and We're Beautiful express the innocence and optimism of new and hopeful love while Time and I Am Losing You depict the typical "bumps in the road" experienced in nearly all relationships. Fittingly, New Year's is the last track and concludes the EP by repeating the poignant phrase "...if I can't explain, then I won't explain it...if I can't explain, then I won't explain it..." The result is an EP that is at the same time fresh...but familiar...completely contemporary...yet timeless. This dichotomy of fresh, yet familiar songs is in part attributable to Micah Wilshire's tasteful and creative production, in addition to Grammy Award winner Chris Shaw's (Bob Dylan, Wilco, Fountains of Wayne) deft touch behind the mixing console. But the primary reason the EP sounds instantly familiar and classic is that Preston and Micah were of "one mind" in their insistence for using real instruments - real drums, real guitars, real Wurlitzer pianos and no auto-tuning on any part of the EP. They also refused to "follow the herd" and slam the record with massive amounts of compression (whatever happened to using the volume knob). Accordingly, they enlisted the services of Brian Lucey from Magic Garden Mastering to apply his "vintage kiss" mastering skills. Brian's contribution was essential in preserving the dynamics of songs. Write good songs, perform them well and make sure the production doesn't get in the way of the music. It was this ethos, combined with Preston's strong song writing and seductive harmonies that make Chase Out The Darkness such a special little EP. Enjoy... Released September 1st, 2011 Produced by Micah Wilshire Mixed by Chris Shaw Mastered by Brian Lucey at Magic Garden Mastering All songs written by Preston Cochran (c) BMI