Mike Coykendall and Carlos Forster take over Lost Church 7/31

Photo of Mike Coykendall by Michael Bordelon

A pair of longtime music veterans (and pals), Portland’s Mike Coykendall and SF’s Carlos Forster, each released outstanding records this year, and they’re celebrating with a tour up and down the coast that includes a stop at The Lost Church July 31. Coykendall and Forster’s Bay Area connection goes way back: after Coykendall, (who was living in SF at the time), heard some of Forster’s work at The Wally Sound, where both were recording, he went to a Forster show at a Brainwash Cafe. They met at the show and became fast friends. Carlos actually introduced Mike to his college buddy M. Ward, leading to Mike recording and producing Ward’s records and becoming part of his touring band, (including tours with the She & Him project). Coykendall and Ward also recorded and produced Forster’s 2011 release, Family Trees.

Coykendall’s latest album, Half Present, Half Pending, is a somewhat stripped-down collection of new originals, old originals, and covers, that was recorded with his one-man-band touring “rig” in mind. Despite the basic foundation, Coykendall manages to employ plenty of sonic and emotional variety across the album. Stream it below, and purchase from Fluff & Gravy Records.

<a href="http://mikecoykendall.bandcamp.com/album/half-past-present-pending">Half Past, Present Pending by Mike Coykendall</a>

In contrast to Coykendall’s latest, much of Forster’s Disasters, which we told you about a couple months ago, IS NOT a stripped down version of anything. So who knows what it will sound like live? Odds are it will be pretty good, (especially judging by his solo performance below), but you should see for yourself Friday night. Seattle’s Virgin of the Birds also performs.