The Rose City Band 's music is sun-kissed, timeless country rock whose seemingly effortless swing conveys the joy of its creation without the darkness that permeates our consciousness. Led by guitarist/vocalist Ripley Johnson, the Rose City Band's music is rooted in his love of mid-to-late '70s private press records. The band, in addition to Johnson, features pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg and drummer John Jeffrey, who combine a keen sense of rhythmic drive and melody with softer, lush atmospherics.
The latest album Sol Y Sombra digs into insatiable grooves, and the parade of catchy songs evokes a sunset drive through an open desert, a celebration of lingering and a longing for the warmth of home.

Throughout his successful career with Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo and now Rose City Band, Johnson's music has always centered on exploration and discovery. Sol Y Sombra infuses his penchant for space and radiant tonality with a denser amalgam of his influences. Johnson incorporates new elements tactfully and fluidly without neglecting the band's center.

"One of my realizations from this record is that I put a lot of energy into doing things a little differently, but in a lot of ways I ended up back where I started," Johnson notes. "And that's OK."

Striking a delicate balance between the somber and the serene, between subtle developments and familiar sounds, Sol Y Sombra is a holistic, joyful experience that finds comfort in both the sun and the shade.