by Heather Phares
The dreamy Portland, ME, quintet Seekonk features multi-instrumentalists Dave Noyes and Patrick Corrigan, drummer/percussionist Jason Ingalls, guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Todd Hutchisen, and vocalist Sara Raney. The band started in early 2002, when Noyes, who is also a sous chef, and Corrigan, who is also a painter and illustrator, were both dumped by their respective partners and began writing songs together. They recruited Shana Barry to sing them; the trio played their first show that March, performing all five of the original songs they had in their repertoire along with covers of Low and Neil Young (both of whom are major influences on Seekonk's sound). The band expanded to five members by that summer, and in fall 2002, Noyes, Corrigan, Ingalls, Hutchisen, and Barry began working on their debut album, For Barbara Lee. Kimchee released the album late in 2003, and Raney replaced Barry as Seekonk's vocalist that year.