ONETHOUSAND PICTURES
(Columbia/Velvet Hammer)

Evan Robinson: vocals
Reid Curby: guitar
Abraham Jimenez: bass
Andy Villalobos: guitar/keyboards
Svend Lerche: drums

Sure, go ahead and label onethousand pictures as an alternative rock band. But if you ask vocalist Evan Robinson how he labels his band’s music, he sees it as not just alternative rock — but as an alternative to something. “I think of it as the alternative to so much negativity that’s out there,” he says. “I want our music to have a positive impact on people. I like to make people feel special, that they have worth, and to encourage them to follow their dreams.”

Evidence of the band’s positive thinking can be found throughout the eleven tracks of the San Diego-based act’s self-titled debut. Produced by Jeff Saltzman and mixed by Mark Needham (the team behind the Killers’ debut record), the album reveals a band that’s well beyond its two years of experience, caked with engaging melodies, image-defining atmospherics and an amazingly broad appeal.

Launched by Robinson and guitarist Reid Curby in 2004, onethousand pictures is a collaborative affair that stems back several years earlier. As co-workers waiting tables at a local restaurant, Curby and Robinson would often exchange demo tapes of each others’ projects, discussing songwriting and trading ideas.

“When we had a second between shifts, we’d ask, ‘So, how did you feel about that song?,’” Robinson says. “We’d swap constructive criticism. We were very honest with each other.”

Robinson and Curby decided to join forces, first moving in together as roommates and soon thereafter, opting to become bandmates. Using Curby’s student status as an arts major at California State University San Marcos, the pair enlisted fellow student and bassist Abraham Jimenez – who was originally a guitarist and picked up the bass specifically for the band. The final lineup was solidified with the addition of drummer Svend Lerche and second guitarist/keyboardist Andy Villalobos. onethousand pictures signed its record deal and immediately began work on its debut.

Initially onethousand pictures set a goal to write its first record within a year — but the act’s productive songwriting nature rendered the extra time unnecessary. They had become full-time musicians; Robinson and Curby were finally able to quit their day jobs. “I felt it was a huge step for me to not go and swipe my time card, but instead wake up and go make music,” Robinson says. “It was rewarding and exciting. It’s a step closer to being a successful band. It’s being able to put all day into it if you want to.”

In January 2006, the band entered the studio with Saltzman and began what was the first album recording experience for all members. Robinson notes that working with the famed producer was comforting. “He was so open and allowed us so much freedom, we thought ‘you can’t beat this’.”

onethousand pictures’ album begins with one of its newest songs, “Take My Everything,” which came about from the band simply not wanting to write anymore. “On the positive side, it proved me wrong,” says Robinson. “Just when I thought I couldn’t write any more songs, it came together. It’s about pushing yourself and giving it all for what you love, your everything.”

“Long Way,” the album’s first single, speaks of confusion and disorientation. “It’s about a person not knowing what’s reality and what’s a dream,” says Robinson. “There’s a confused type of vibe going on. The chorus is the realization that the beautiful stranger in his head is only a fantasy- she’s not real.”

Riding on the prevailing positive outlook, “Stare Into The Sea” features a string section and speaks of giving hope to those with lost loved ones – in this specific instance, it’s a re-connection via the ocean.

Robinson is also quick to point out that onethousand pictures’ material is built with an idea of longevity. “There’s no way you can sit down and say, ‘I’m going to write a timeless song today,’” he adds. “But I always keep it in my mind, that it would be great if this song is good today — and then good in 20 years.”