by Corey Apar
Singer/songwriter Greg Olin is at the head of the subtle indie pop/rock of Portland-based Graves. With Olin getting plenty of backing help over the years from a rotating cast of family and friends, Graves first issued Love Love Love in early 2003 through Film Guerrero before settling in comfortably over at Hush Records for August 2004's Yes Yes Okay Okay, the latter album featuring members of Norfolk & Western, Desert City Soundtrack, and Little Wings. Full of tracks that were recorded over a four-year period, the more diverse and slightly experimental To Sur w/ Love followed in early summer 2005. Graves continued to garner a loyal underground following with Olin's nearly stream-of-consciousness lyrics and earnest, melodic approach, as album number four, Easy Not Easy, appeared in October 2006.