ROSE CITY BAND, SOL Y SOMBRA

Five years and five albums in, guitarist and vocalist Ripley Johnson and his Rose City Band continue to impress. On their latest album, Sol y Sombra, the band maintains their signature laid-back vibe while exploring a fresh approach to production. Drawing inspiration from the raw, intimate essence of private press records from the early '70s, Johnson, along with pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg, and drummer John Jeffrey, embraced minimalist production to create a warm, organic sound. The result is an album that captures the timeless charm and emotional honesty often found in these rare, handcrafted recordings—a perfect match for Rose City Band's easygoing style.