On November 6th, 2012, Mr. John H Brumley went in for wrist surgery. As most of you may know, this prompted a hiatus on our part, in which no new music would be made for the better part of 3 months. Sad, yes, but now….

The Gentle Shades are pleased to present our brand new *FREE* EP: End of Level One

Get it here: www.reverbnation.com/thegentleshades. In total appreciation for all of our fans, friends, family, and faithful who have shown such great support over these past three years, we thought it only fair to reciprocate. Representing the last full practice session at the end of a heavy October schedule, this album is what happens when The Gentle Shades blow off a little steam and get it all out. A solid 40-minute block of completely improvised music, presented for you warts and all, as a rare sneak-peek into both our creative process and musical athleticism. And trust us friends, this is precisely how most practice sessions begin: a quick warm up where the instruments begin and quickly orchestrate into something greater. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in “Wasted Youth”. The object of improvisational moments like this is to quickly establish distinct parts and melodies, which Matt is so effortlessly able to augment with melodic and lyrical motifs (this is why we pay him the Big Buck$, people!) that make it sound as if we had it all preplanned. This is how several of our existing originals started, and we’re pleased as punch to be able to share the process with you in its raw form. Ending the album is one of our favorite newer originals, presented here as “Meanwhile, In Scotland…” and in a less polished state. Continue looking for its more refined brother on future releases.

Also, as a further Holiday treat for you all, if you download the album now you will also get 2 bonus tracks!!! James is unashamedly holiday-crazy, and to celebrate the Season he rearranged and recorded two Christmas classics for your enjoyment. Get ‘em now, these tracks will only be available until 2012 runs out.

Get presents started early!

PS and in case anybody gets sad that the only “live” Shades you’ll get to see for a while is this allsome album, now would seem the appropriate time to tell you about our triumphant return! Sunday, February 10th, 2013, The Gentle Shades will be rocking The Video Saloon ‘til the wee hours of the morning immediately following Umphrey’s McGee across the street at The Bluebird. Absolutely free!!! (anybody sensing a pattern here?) So go see UM, and make sure you shake it across for the deeper Shades. In 2013, it’s all about taking it to the next Level.