Emerald City Council - Motion Carries (2024)

Emerald City Council is an American progressive rock band, formed in 2021 out of a recording project produced by saxophonist/keyboardist Brent BRISTOW. The band features vocalist Jake LIVGREN (PROTO-KAW, KERRY LIVGREN) and drummer Noah HUNGATE (THE BAND PERRY, son of TOTO's David HUNGATE), along with Jeremy NICHOLS (ERIN COBURN) on bass, and up and coming guitarist Seth HANKERSON. Brandon Goff, Associate Professor of Music Industry at Francis Marion University, has also contributed significant guitar work as special collaborator to the band.

Bristow, Professor of Music at Arkansas State University-Beebe, began the project to record some of his original material, in which he wanted to feature the saxophone in a non-jazz context to show the versatility of the instrument. The rhythm section of Hungate, Nichols, and Hankerson clicked very quickly with impeccable musicianship, and Livgren's range and versatility as a vocalist brought greater depth and meaning to the lyrics and melodies.

After hearing the early results of these sessions, Casey MCPHERSON (FLYING COLORS, ALPHA REV) suggested that they move beyond merely recording together and actually form a band. Adopting Livgren's suggested name of Emerald City Council, the band is eager to perform live shows in the near future!