Solvents are a “folk art rock pop” group from the Olympic peninsula. They have been playing continuously in local and national venues since 2001 and have toured Europe. Local song-writer Jarrod Paul Bramson began Solvents as an “outlet for his prolific song-writing and thirst for homerecording knowledge.” The Solvents’ influences range from Gram Parsons, to Husker Du, from Nirvana, to The Beatles and everything in between. Bramson has managed to write, record and produce seven albums in about as many years. Now the group is set to release its eighth full-length album entitled Manresa Castle. This album marks a significant step in the band’s career for a number of reasons, not least of which is that for the first time Solvents have recorded as a real group. Previously Bramson recorded all the instruments himself, starting with the drums and building the songs track by track. It is a well-balanced album with quiet moments and loud passages, a perfect blend of rock and folk. With excellent recording quality and fully-realized arrangements Manresa Castle is by far the Solvents’ best work to date. Manresa Castle features a tight rhythm section, another first for the band. Provided by the well-rounded drumming of Port Townsend drummer Sasha Landis and the subtle yet smooth bass lines of local musician Steve Moffat. Defining the Solvents sound are the violin lines of local musician Emily Madden. Her intuitive playing is an essential element that works beautifully with Bramson’s vocals and words. Together they create the Solvents rich atmosphere, contrast, and memorable melodies.