09.16.08 - Only Way To Be Alone (Sargent House)

Good Old War blew everyone's mind at this year's SXSW when they were added at the last minute to play their third show ever to a packed room at Emo's Jr. for the Sargent House showcase. Good Old War was started during the downtime from touring of Keith Goodwin's former band Days Away. Keith began writing tunes with Dan Schwartz who was playing in a local favorite band of his called Unlikely Cowboy. The result of Keith & Dan merging their songwriting skills as well as their love for melody and harmonies really shined in the duo's new collaborations. Wanting to add some percussions and another vocal harmony to the mix they asked Tim Arnold also from Days Away to join in on percussion and backing vocals. Well, let's just stay these guys really know how to bring the three part harmonies. Reminiscent of Harry Nillson, Simon & Garfunkel type sensibility, Good Old War was now writing up a storm. By May of 2008 they left their homes in Philadelphia to record their debut full length in Los Angeles, titled 'Only Way To Be Alone,' with Producer Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Miranda Lee Richards) . The recording process became a family affair with longtime friends Anthony Green of Circa Survive and Dave Davison from Maps & Atlases joining Good Old War on the track Weak Man. This was not the first time Good Old War had shared a studio with Green. Keith, Dan and Tim recorded as Anthony's band for his upcoming solo album Avalon. But the real sweet last minute surprise came when Keith sent Sargent House a little love song he had written, and for fun, had recorded with the guys one night in his bathroom, along with friends and fellow musicians Claire and Allison Wadsworth doing vocals.  The track is called Stay By My Side and it's the best darn bathroom demo we have ever heard. It will be available as bonus track on the digital release of 'Only Way To Be Alone.'