Executive Overview
Earlier this year, the celebrated independent boutique label Gar Hole Records—home to a vibrant roster of distinct roots, folk, and Americana innovators including Creekbed Carter Hogan, Angela Autumn, Two Runner, and The Lostines—unveiled I Called It!. The debut full-length project from Tulsa-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger Ramsey Thornton earned critical acclaim for its intricate arrangements, introspective lyricism, and meticulous studio craftsmanship. Recorded predominantly in Brooklyn, New York, the album showcased Thornton’s rare ability to weave complex instrumentation with intimate, emotionally resonant storytelling.
Rather than resting on the momentum of that release, Thornton and Gar Hole Records have returned with a compelling companion piece: Meantime. Available now, the four-song EP features fresh, live-band interpretations of selected tracks from I Called It!. Accompanied by a visually striking full-session video directed and captured by Calebe Severo, Meantime bridges the gap between Thornton’s solitary studio methodologies and the kinetic energy of live performance.
Featuring an elite rhythm section comprising drummer Paddy Ryan, bassist Aaron Boehler, and guitarist Dak McDaniel (who regularly collaborates with Thornton in Ken Pomeroy’s touring ensemble), the EP breathes new life into Thornton’s catalog. It offers listeners a raw, organic perspective on compositions originally crafted in the isolation of a Northeastern studio.
To celebrate the release of Meantime, Thornton is taking these reimagined arrangements on the road. He has announced an extensive run of live dates scheduled through late 2024, sharing stages with prominent alt-country and roots artists Nick Shoulders and Angela Autumn. This comprehensive report explores the genesis of Meantime, details the collaborative efforts behind the live sessions, examines Gar Hole Records’ growing cultural footprint, and outlines Thornton’s touring itinerary as he brings his multifaceted musicianship to audiences across the United States.
Detailed Chronology: From Brooklyn Studio Sessions to Tulsa Live Stages
The Genesis of I Called It!
To understand the artistic necessity of Meantime, one must first examine the creation of Ramsey Thornton’s parent album, I Called It!. As a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma—a city with its own legendary musical lineage stretching from Leon Russell to J.J. Cale—Thornton possesses a deep fluency in American roots music. However, when the time came to record his formal introductory statement as a solo artist, Thornton packed his bags and traveled to Brooklyn, New York.
Working in the fast-paced, dense environment of the New York borough, Thornton immersed himself in studio production. He meticulously layered tracks, played multiple instruments, and sculpted a lush sonic landscape that prioritized studio polish and nuanced arrangements. Released earlier this year via Gar Hole Records, I Called It! established Thornton as a formidable voice in contemporary songwriting—someone capable of blending traditional folk structures with modern, avant-garde sensibilities.
The Problem of Geography
Yet, creating a studio album in Brooklyn while maintaining a home base in Tulsa presented a unique professional hurdle. Thornton found himself facing a geographic and logistical disconnect: none of his local Tulsa peers were intimately familiar with the complex arrangements of the new material. Consequently, performing the songs live in his hometown proved difficult without a dedicated ensemble rehearsed in the intricacies of the Brooklyn recordings.
This challenge planted the seed for what would eventually become the Meantime EP. Thornton realized he needed a bridge—a creative vehicle that would allow him to share his studio-born compositions with his local community while scratching his own itch for collaborative, real-time music-making.
Assembling the Tulsa Ensemble
To bring the project to life, Thornton enlisted a formidable lineup of Tulsa-based musicians, tapping into the tight-knit and fiercely talented Oklahoma underground scene:
- Paddy Ryan on Drums: Known for his dynamic pocket and intuitive sense of dynamic control, Ryan anchors the rhythm section with taste and power.
- Aaron Boehler on Bass: Providing a warm, foundational low-end, Boehler locks in seamlessly with Ryan to give the traditionally intricate songs a pulsing, organic heartbeat.
- Dak McDaniel on Guitar: A frequent collaborator who also plays alongside Thornton in the critically acclaimed band Ken Pomeroy, McDaniel brings a conversational, highly textural guitar style that complements Thornton’s own instrumental work.
The Studio-Live Hybrid Session
Rather than simply staging a standard live rehearsal, Thornton and his band entered a professional environment to capture a definitive live performance. Helmed behind the camera by filmmaker Calebe Severo, the session was recorded and filmed in its entirety. The resulting visual companion piece captures not just the audio performance, but the unspoken communication, eye contact, and collective synergy of four musicians discovering the live chemistry of the material in real time.
Released digitally alongside the four-track EP, Calebe Severo’s video work elevates Meantime from a mere contractual stop-gap release into an essential visual and auditory document of Oklahoma’s contemporary roots renaissance.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Gar Hole Records and the Tulsa Sound
The Gar Hole Records Ecosystem
To properly contextualize Ramsey Thornton’s upward trajectory, one must examine the label championing his work. Gar Hole Records has rapidly emerged as one of the most vital independent imprints in American roots, alt-country, and underground folk music. Operating out of the South, the label has built a reputation for championing uncompromising, genre-defying artists who operate outside the Nashville mainstream machinery.
By housing artists like Creekbed Carter Hogan, whose poignant queer Appalachian narratives are reshaping the folk canon; Angela Autumn, known for her poetic lyricism and deft flatpicking; Two Runner, who bring a fresh, dynamic fiddle-and-guitar synergy to traditional formats; and The Lostines, purveyors of sultry, vintage-soaked vocal harmony pop, Gar Hole has curated a community of kindred spirits.
Ramsey Thornton fits squarely within this ecosystem. His music defies easy categorization—sitting comfortably at the intersection of intricate singer-songwriter introspection, traditional folk instrumentation, and modern indie-rock arrangements. Gar Hole’s decision to support both I Called It! and its live-band companion Meantime underscores the label’s commitment to nurturing an artist’s complete creative vision.
The Modern Oklahoma Renaissance
Thornton’s work also contributes to the ongoing narrative of Tulsa as a perennial crucible for American songwriting. While cities like Austin, Nashville, and Los Angeles often dominate industry headlines, Tulsa maintains a quiet, enduring legacy as a sanctuary for musicians who prioritize songcraft over commercial trends. From the historic Church Studio to modern independent venues and labels, artists in Tulsa operate with a distinct sense of place—one that values grit, authenticity, and cross-genre experimentation.
Meantime serves as a textbook example of this local ethos. By taking songs written and recorded in the hyper-modern environment of a Brooklyn studio and retrofitting them for a live band in an Oklahoma rehearsal space, Thornton bridges two distinct musical worlds, proving that great songs can adapt to any environment.
Official Statements and Artistic Philosophy
To understand the core motivation behind Meantime, one need look no further than Ramsey Thornton’s own reflections on the project. In interviews accompanying the release, Thornton candidly discussed the limitations of his initial recording process and his enduring affection for unvarnished, live performances.
"Since I recorded the record in Brooklyn, I didn’t really have any Tulsa people that were familiar enough with any of the songs to be able to accompany me," Thornton explained, shedding light on the geographic hurdles of promoting a geographically dispersed album. "So partly I just wanted to have a reason to play a handful of the songs with a band here at home."
Beyond the practical desire to assemble a local live band, Thornton articulated a deeper philosophical belief in the power of live-in-the-room recording:
"I also just really love fully live recordings of songs. I feel like you can still enjoy a recording regardless of how it’s recorded as long as the songs are interesting. And hopefully these still are."
This statement cuts to the heart of what makes Meantime compelling. In an era dominated by digital quantization, grid-aligned editing, and infinite track-stacking, Thornton’s embrace of a fully live studio-performance video represents a refreshing counter-narrative. It places faith in human imperfection, acoustic interaction, and the irreplaceable energy generated when musicians play together in the same physical space.
Future Outlook: Live Itinerary and Touring Plans
With the digital release of Meantime secured, the EP streaming across all major platforms, and the complete session video available via YouTube, Ramsey Thornton’s focus shifts decisively to the stage. The momentum generated by I Called It! combined with the renewed energy of the Meantime live arrangements has translated into a robust slate of upcoming tour dates throughout the remainder of the year.
Thornton will embark on two distinct, high-profile touring runs alongside fellow roots innovators Nick Shoulders and Angela Autumn. These outings will place him in front of dedicated Americana and alt-country audiences across the American Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Supporting Nick Shoulders:
- November 17 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
- November 19 – Santa Fe, NM – Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery
- November 21 – Tulsa, OK – Vanguard
- November 22 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
Supporting Angela Autumn:
- December 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
- December 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool
- December 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
- December 13 – Somerville, MA – The Rockwell
These live performances will offer Thornton an ideal platform to showcase both the intricate solo craftsmanship found on I Called It! and the muscular, organic energy captured on Meantime. Fans attending these dates can expect a dynamic setlist that highlights Thornton’s virtuosic instrumental skill, poignant lyricism, and the undeniable chemistry he shares with his collaborators.
How to Support and Listen
For enthusiasts of independent roots music, collector-grade vinyl, and high-fidelity digital releases, Meantime is available now. Fans can purchase the 4-song EP directly through Ramsey Thornton’s official Bandcamp page or stream the audio across all major digital service providers. Additionally, the complete live-session video directed by Calebe Severo can be viewed on YouTube, offering a front-row seat to one of the most exciting creative partnerships in modern Oklahoma music.
- Bandcamp Purchase: ramseythornton.bandcamp.com/album/meantime
- Digital Streaming Links: found.ee/meantime/
- Tour Tickets & Info: www.ramseythorntonmusic.com/#tour
As Ramsey Thornton continues to navigate the intersection of studio composition and live performance, Meantime stands as a testament to artistic adaptability, community collaboration, and the timeless appeal of musicians playing real instruments in a room together.
