Fences Goes For Adds With “Pale Paper”

As Fences, Chris Mansfield pours his everything into writing musical missives that hold a mirror to his foibles, his heart, his hurt, and his confusion. While studying experimental jazz at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, his roommate turned him on to Elliott Smith, which led to what Mansfield calls a “super crazy awakening.” The fragility of Smith’s music and delivery spoke to him as the son of a single mother who spent his childhood traveling across the country, and hearing it inspired him to drop out of school and begin channeling his emotions into songwriting. The raw yet poetic quality of his music – built largely on Mansfield’s strumming and sweetly torn vocals – piqued the ears of Sara Quin (of Tegan & Sara), who produced his 2010 self-titled debut. He followed that in 2015 with Lesser Oceans, which offered bolder hooks and a broader sonic palette to supplement his sparkling confessionals.

“Pale Paper,” the second single released from To The Tall Trembling Trees, demonstrates Mansfield’s ability to use hooks to elevate difficult subject matter – in this case, about wasted time, a wasted life, being “owned” by a significant other, and feeling abandoned by God. Brief and anthemic, “Pale Paper” makes use of handclaps, a killer chorus, and well-placed background vocals from I Am Lightyear‘s Lauren Zettler to create a catchy and propulsive sound. The full EP, To The Tall Trembling Trees, is out September 9.

“The perfect balance of uplifting instrumentation and depth in lyrical content.” -Renowned for Sound

“Mansfield may be writing simpler songs than in his jazz days, but the years of study show in his spare, elegant arrangements and his easy way with a catchy chord progression or melody.” -The Stranger

Listen to the track “Pale Paper” right here down below!

RIYL: Rogue Wave, Tegan & Sara, Nada Surf, Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie

FCC CLEAN

Digital Servicing Only

Label: Votiv