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- 3/26/11 - Apologies for the downtime. We've been hard at work making a new record. After spending a month or so fleshing out the music, we huddled for a few days into a basement and created our next full length entitled "Common Nature". We will be celebrating it with a weekend of shows in West Virginia, Atlantic City, and then ending it all with a big hometown show in Boston. We're very proud of this record and hope people enjoy it. Stay tuned for more details.1/27/11 - We'll be taking part in the first annual Big Bullet Fest presented by Big Bullet Records. Also performing will be our friends in The Demon Beat, Prison Book Club, Dandelion Snow, Greg Loftus, and more. It's going to be a blast.1/17/11 - It's A Dynamic is up for Best New Local Song on WZLX out of Boston this week. We're up against some really great bands and would appreciate your support. Click here (updated link) to vote!
Special thanks for Anngelle Wood of Boston Emissions. It's a really great program so everyone should check it out.
1/15/11 - We are back with a new website. Kinks are still being worked out but this is the place to come.
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News
- 4/1/12 - Hey everybody. Although it's been quiet here, things have been very busy for us. To make a long story short, we went into the studio last week for 2 days and recorded an EP. There is still some mixing and things to be done, but for the most part it is there. We will be releasing the EP, entitled Leveled, on Saturday, June 2nd with a show at the Lily Pad in Cambridge. Go to our shows page to get more info.The EP goes beyond just us though, and will include all of you. We're going to be collecting a bunch of fan art for this project and want everyone to contribute. To get a more detailed description, click on our Videos section and watch the video down at the bottom. I explain it fully there.In regards to that, yes, we have a youtube page now. We'll be posting updates and random things. Hopefully we can use it as another means of communication and break down the wall that builds up between bands and fans.Thanks for everything. Keep your eyes out for a special gift that will be coming soon.1/3/12 - Happy New Year to all. We wanted to thank each and every one of you for an incredibly rewarding and positive year. When 2011 started, the state of the band was kind of up in the air. We had a lineup change and were not quite sure where things would lead, but it ended up going better than we could have hoped for. We made a new record, played all around the Northeast, became even closer than we were before, were included in favorite songs of 2011 on WZLX, and played some of our biggest shows yet. It all feels like the beginning though. 2011 brought a new dynamic, and although we released a record pretty quickly, it felt like we were still really finding our groove as a 5 piece. Things are still evolving but it feels tighter than ever. We're ready to take 2012 to a different level. It begins this week. We start demoing for our next release. We're not sure what it will be exactly, and we want to keep it that way. No limits or parameters or pressures to put out a certain product. Full length, EP, something else. We have no idea. We're just going to create and then see where we are. Based off what we have so far though, we couldn't be more excited. This will be fun.9/4/11 - Summer is slowly fading and New England autumn is upon us. Things have been a bit quiet for us. Working, resting, and planning for our next move. We have some things in the works including some recording projects. Shows will be sparse and typically on short notice as our schedule is a bit tight right now. We will be playing on Saturday November 5th though, at the Somerville Armory in Somerville, MA. A beautiful space for what is sure to be a momentous event. A full on community event revolving around a ton of local Boston talent. Check out our tour dates page for more info and a link to buy tickets.7/19/11 - It's been a little bit since our last update on here. If you want to keep up with our daily happenings, be sure to follow us on twitter or facebook. The links are provided on the "links" tab of this website. Anyways, it's been a fun summer for us so far. We had a a really amazing time as we opened for the wonderful Wooden Birds last week. Next week we will be performing a special stripped down set at the Hedge House in Plymouth, MA. It is Friday 7/29. It's Free. It's outdoors and literally right on the water. It's going to be pretty ideal. In even bigger news, we got invited to be a part of this years Kahbang Festival in Bangor, ME. We are honored. Also performing throughout the weekend will be My Morning Jacket, Lupe Fiasco, Surfer Blood, Grace Potter, and more. We'll be back with more updates soon. Have a few things up our sleeves and some ideas are brewing. In the mean time, check out this video of a brand new song that we played last week. A random fan happened to catch it. We wrote this song the night before and decided to give it a try.http://youtu.be/gr2rJHD3EO05/11/11 - A belated and endless thank you to everyone who came and saw us during our CD Release weekend. It was a blurry but rewarding few days in West Virginia and New Jersey, capped off by one of the most amazing nights of our lives at The Middle East in Boston. The record, Common Nature, is out there for you all to enjoy or hate, whichever you prefer. We are getting our summer schedule together and hope to see you all this summer. We will be opening for the amazingly talented Wooden Birds at Great Scott in July. Talk to you soon!4/19/11 - Our new album entitled "Common Nature" is here! We're very proud of this and hope that you enjoy it. You can stream it for free by clicking on the "listen/download" link. You can also download it for $8 or purchase a physical copy for $10. We appreciate all of the support. Spread the word.4/14/11 - Just noticed that the link for news on this website magically disappeared. Not sure what happened. To recap, our new album entitled "Common Nature" comes on Tuesday! It will be available both digitally and physically. We also have our first T-shirts ever which will be available at our upcoming shows. It's going to be a busy but exciting week and a half.
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Bio
- Stephen MacDonald - Guitar/Vocals
Ryan Ward - Bass
JM Craven - Guitar/Background vocals
Adam McElreath - Guitar/Vocals/Etc.
Dave Chardo - Drums
The Okay Win ride the line between energy and intimacy all while remaining completely earnest.Based out of Boston, MA, the band has consistently grown since it began playing shows in 2009. In that span, they have released 3 albums, performed at a rapid pace around the northeast, and cemented themselves as one of the up and coming band in Massachusetts.
They have shared the stage with such acts as Kevin Devine, Colour Revolt, Wooden Birds, Brian Bonz, Atlantic/Pacific, White Wives, The Demon Beat, and more; and continue to further their reputation as a band you need to see live.
After a successful 2011, which saw them settle in as a strong 5 piece, self release their latest album entitled “Common Nature”, and have their song “Buzz Armstrong” named one of the top local songs of the year by Boston Emissions, The Okay Win are ready to make 2012 theirs.
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Tour Dates
- Saturday June 2nd - Lily Pad - Cambridge, MA - 7pm - $10 - EP Release Party - Facebook Event - Tickets
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Albums
- 12 tracks (00:00)
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- Filming a video in the morning! 2 weeks until the release of "Leveled"! You get your tickets yet? All information, including a sneak preview of one of the tracks can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/events/210414559064542/?ref=ts
- A sad day for Boston music. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150979015878408
- Tickets are still available for our release show. It's just over 2 weeks away! Saturday, June 2nd at The Lily Pad. Don't miss out. http://www.facebook.com/events/210414559064542/?ref=ts
- Thanks to Boston Accents for playing our new song "Cliff"! You can hear the song here. "Leveled" comes out on June 2nd. Don't miss out. http://www.bbrwv.com/2012/05/14/the-okay-win-cliff/
- Boston Accents will be playing a song off of "Leveled" tonight! Not sure which one. Tune into WFNX to find out! Show starts at 8pm.
- We love our Mom's. Happy Mother's Day!
- New Song!! Since we're only 3 weeks away from the release of "Leveled" we wanted to give every a sneak peek at the album. This is a new song, entitled "Cliff", and it's up in the WZLX Music Poll this week, if you feel like voting. Either way, check it out! http://theokaywin.bandcamp.com/track/cliff
- An update of sorts. http://youtu.be/T07kQZyL8as
- Are you coming to celebrate the release of our new EP on June 2nd? We're hard at work preparing for it. New T-Shirts, posters, etc. This will be a special night. Invite your friends. Still some tickets left. http://www.facebook.com/events/210414559064542/?ref=ts
- Thanks to Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood for debuting our new song "Cliff" tonight. If you missed it, the show will be up tomorrow for people to stream. We'll post the link once it's there. Exciting times. Get on board!
- Tune in to Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood tonight on WZLX to hear the debut of a song off of "Leveled". It comes out on June 2nd. Don't forget to order tickets to the release show. It's going to be a good one. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/240107
- It's going to be an exciting month while we prep for the release of "Leveled". Invite your friends along for the ride. Suggest this page.
- The mastered version of "Leveled" has arrived.
- Beyond being in this band, Adam creates some amazing music under the name Big Big Buildings. He released a new single today! Check it out. http://bigbigbuildings.bandcamp.com/album/what-my-hands-are-for
- 1 month from today we release our new album entitled "Leveled". Here's a preview of the album cover, which was done by our own Adam McElreath. There are still some tickets left so make sure you get yours. You won't want to miss this. All information is at this link. http://www.facebook.com/events/210414559064542/?ref=ts
- We're bad parents. Completely missed the 1st birthday of our record "Common Nature". Go give it a listen and check out our other couple of albums too! http://theokaywin.bandcamp.com/
- Well now that the madness of last week has settled down, it's time to focus. Don't forget our release show on Saturday 6/2. Still some tickets left but get them quick. Do you want to be a part of the record? Let us know and we'll discuss. http://www.facebook.com/events/210414559064542/
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Tweets
- WFNX. http://t.co/xnFHidePMay 16, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- New Song! We're 3 weeks from the release of our new album, so here's a little preview. http://t.co/byjF5U34May 12, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Listen to @bostonemissions on WZLX tonight for the debut of a new song by us, off of our new ep, "Leveled".May 06, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Our new album, "Leveled", comes out 1 month from today. Check the cover art. Make sure you grab a ticket. http://t.co/Ii7jaLBTMay 02, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @MJ_DiBona Ha, we have not got that comparison but I love them. We actually played with them at the Mid East a bit over a year ago.
- @MJ_DiBona Weird to see our name in that mix of bands. Hope you enjoyed the night.
- @klcoop0721 Thanks! We had a blast.
- @portugaltheman Greatly appreciated the chance to open for you guys in Boston. We had so much fun. Be well.Apr 24, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @thelonelyforest Thanks for letting us play with you guys in Boston. We had a blast and you guys sounded so great. Safe travels.Apr 24, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- A giant thank you to everyone who was a part of the last week for us. Played House of Blues and finished new record. Stay tuned.Apr 24, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Thank you to everyone that voted and told their friends. We won. We can't believe it. See you sunday at the House of Blues!Apr 20, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- One final plea! Voting ends tonight! Please spread the word. Watch Stephen Beg: http://t.co/ALHkHMH4Apr 18, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Another reminder to vote for us here. Once in a lifetime chance. One vote per IP address! http://t.co/mhUlTXUwApr 17, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Help us! Vote here. If we win we play House of Blues this weekend! http://t.co/mhUlTXUwApr 16, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Tix for our EP release show have gone on sale! Suggest you order some early to ensure a spot. https://t.co/mWHCeaeYApr 01, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Tonight! TT The Bears w/ Twin Atlantic. We go on first. 9pm.Mar 28, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- That's a wrap for Stephen's vocals.
- Day 1 is done. Filmed some footage on my phone. Check it. http://t.co/P8M5ac9hMar 22, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Links
- The Okay Win can be found on:
Facebook
Bandcamp
Muxtape
Tumblr
Twitter
MySpace
Sonicbids
Related Links/Friends
Big Bullet Records (Label)
Big Big Buildings (Adam McElreath's project)
The Hookups (Other band of Ryan Ward and Dave Chardo)
Spindlebell (Website of Katherine Cota, who has helped us with artwork in the past)
The Demon Beat
The Plesiosaurs
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Press
- “A seamless transition from solo to full band, combined with the poetic lyrics that gave MacDonald his own identity, make for an excellent record. 8.6/10″ – Take Me To Your Music review of “We Are Bound”
“The music is pure, without a lot of effects, and it’s like a breath of fresh air…It’s fresh, smart and eloquent…[and] one of the top albums I’ve heard all year.” – IndieShows.Net review of “We Are Bound”
“It’s a brilliant record – the songs are well put together and strangely affecting.” – Artrocker.com
“Plymouth, Massachusetts’ Stephen MacDonald recruited a backing band this time around for his follow up to his solo debut. The album is abundant with rich folk influenced melodies and the addition of a backing band allows Stephen to evolve his sound even further, making this album one of the most authentic releases of 2009!” – The Music Box
“‘Could Gamble’ is a great, antsy way to kick off Stephen MacDonald’s We Are Bound…when he decides to try and break the mold, it’ll be good and broken, for sure. I’m looking forward to his next album.” – Rock O’ Clock
“Stephen MacDonald’s debut album, Building Hands, reeks of optimistic honesty that’s as refreshing as it is contagious. Simple lyrics and chords are married together in peaceful harmony that touches the soul and pleases the ear.” – Brooke Brunetto for SouthCoast247.com
“This year, he self-released a completely mind-blowing CD. The lyrics, the music, the voice… all perfect…Stephen MacDonald is the complete singer-songwriter package, thus earning title of Best New Act of 2008.” – Ryan Wood for Wicked Local
“Rock, pop, and hip-hop rule the mainstream, but the turn of the century has brought the birth of a new crop of singer-songwriters — Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst), Iron and Wine (Samuel Beam), and recently Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) and Devendra Banhart. Plymouth singer-songwriter Stephen MacDonald is part of the reemergence.” – Old Colony Memorial
“I missed a couple acts, and all apologies to those I missed, but the singer who closed out the three-hour show first reminded me of Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes. He was Stephen MacDonald…Brilliant work from a rising singer/songwriter.” – Take Me To Your Music blog
