Come on Down to Montucky

Welcome to Montucky. Somewhere between North and South Dakota, the state of Montucky has been found. Artie Saldana, Ray Lombardi and Matthew Freeman claimed the new territory to form a progressive country band. “We play you dance. You dance we play,”said Saldana.

The three HSU students have played shows since early 2009. The group formed when bassist Freeman and drummer Saldana were working on a movie project for their religious studies class. The two were putting together a soundtrack for the project when Freeman brought guitarist Lombardi into the mix. From this project the band called Montucky emerged.

Lombardi and Freeman write most of the band’s songs. They have more than 30 original songs in their catalogue. “Matthew will bring up a song idea, and Ray will learn it and add his own flavor,” said Saldana. “I’m like the chocolate that covers the strawberries that makes them better than sex.”

Freeman said, “We try to be accessible without sacrificing individuality.” The band sees itself divided into three different categories: tradition, progression and freedom. Tradition are the country and folk elements, progression turns those country elements into something new and altered, and freedom brings the “out-there” jams from the band.

“We incorporate different music without making it obvious,” said Freeman of the band’s varied influences. The three different perspectives form a progressive country rock sound. Lombardi’s guitar playing shows hints of twang but can change into a spacey jam vibe that leaves the realm of country and enters the unknown.

Freeman’s deep voice trades off with the boyish tone of Lombardi’s voice throughout their set. Saldana’s beats make you want to grab your gal or guy and dance around. Of their live shows, Saldana said, “We definitely vibe off the audience.” Songs like “Murdercycles,” “Oh Brain” and “Gosh Darn Hard” are band and crowd favorites.
Lombardi and Freeman graduate this May. Freeman said the band’s upcoming summer tour will be bittersweet. The trio will pile into Freeman’s black Volvo station wagon and hit the road at the end of June for 12 days. They will play in Phoenix, San Diego and Monterey as they work their way back up to Arcata. They also plan to head north for shows in Portland and Seattle before the summer’s end. They will sell demos and t-shirts to spread the Montucky vibe around the west coast. Humboldt locals, Dreamgoatz, will join Montucky on tour.

Saldana said, “I want to keep the connection even after it’s over.” He will be the lone member left in Humboldt County once summer ends. Lombardi and Freeman plan to go back to their home states of Montana and Tennessee, respectively. For now, Montucky will play to anyone who will listen.

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