B-Side Guys

Inside a Nashville home studio, Lee Trent’s harmonica sits next to orchestral scores for “The Dashboard Incident.” Probably. I wasn’t there, but this visual captures the musical range of “In Presence,” where blues-trained instincts meet formal composition studies across six tracks that document personal transformation through distinct sonic approaches.

“The Dashboard Incident” demonstrates how Trent’s scoring abilities extend beyond typical indie-folk string arrangements. The violins enter in counterpoint rather than simple harmony, creating melodic conversations that mirror the song’s narrative about internal dialogue during crisis. INNER VIEW’s vocal contributions weave through these string lines, adding rhythmic elements that push against the expected 4/4 time signature.

“Warm Winter Collision” reveals Trent’s blues background in unexpected ways. His guitar work incorporates subtle microtonal bends derived from years of harmonica playing, while the multitracked vocals employ intervals common in Delta blues but rarely heard in contemporary folk. The mix places these elements in specific frequency ranges that allow dissonant notes to create tension without clashing.

The EP’s engineering choices reflect time spent in Nashville’s professional studios. “Moonbeams” employs specialized microphone techniques on acoustic guitars – close-miking the neck for percussive elements while capturing body resonance with room microphones. This approach creates rhythmic drive without percussion while maintaining natural dynamics that commercial compression would typically eliminate.

“Abrupt” showcases Trent’s evolution as a string arranger. Rather than defaulting to typical whole-note pads, the score employs techniques from minimalist composition – overlapping phrases of different lengths that create evolving patterns. The production captures these strings through multiple microphone positions, allowing listeners to hear both the full ensemble and individual players’ nuances.

On “Hardd Abrill,” Trent’s multi-instrumental capabilities enable sophisticated layering decisions. Each new element enters at specific frequency ranges that fill sonic spaces rather than competing for attention. His experience as a session player informs these choices – knowing exactly where guitars can leave room for vocals, how harmonicas can cut through without dominating, when strings should support rather than lead.

“Subtle Waves” synthesizes these various approaches into the EP’s most technically ambitious track. The arrangement combines blues-influenced guitar work, chamber music string writing, and recording techniques learned from Nashville veterans. Trent’s mix creates distinct spaces for each element while maintaining natural room sound, demonstrating how professional engineering serves artistic vision.

Throughout these sixteen minutes, Trent’s technical decisions consistently serve specific narratives. The string arrangements on “Dashboard Incident” build tension through dissonant intervals that resolve as the story reaches acceptance. “Warm Winter Collision” uses microphone placement to capture performance dynamics that mirror its themes of rejection and growth. “Moonbeams” employs Nashville-style doubled vocals but places them in unconventional stereo positions that create movement through the mix.

The EP’s sequencing reveals sophisticated understanding of frequency relationships between tracks. Each song occupies distinct ranges that prevent listener fatigue while maintaining engagement. This attention to sonic detail reflects both formal study and years of live performance experience, understanding how different venues and contexts require different approaches to arrangement and mixing.

“In Presence” documents not just personal evolution but technical growth. Trent’s early experiences sitting in with blues bands inform how he approaches string arrangements. His session work teaches sophisticated microphone techniques. Time in Nashville studios provides engineering expertise. These elements combine into something distinct from both indie folk and professional country production while maintaining connection to both traditions.

These six tracks demonstrate how musical training serves artistic purpose when every technical decision enhances specific narratives. The result captures an artist drawing from multiple traditions to create something personal yet accessible, technically sophisticated yet immediately engaging.