POAC presents acclaimed indie rockers The Sweet Remains

By Reader Staff

The Pend Oreille Arts Council presents indie folk-rock band The Sweet Remains on Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. at the Panida Theater.

The Sweet Remains is a rare, all-independent band with nearly 60 million Spotify streams (and counting) and also unusual for being helmed by three singer-songwriters — each contributing to three-part harmonies, which define the band’s sound. 

Driven by strong lyrical and melodic writing, The Sweet Remains’ songs appeal to fans of modern folk-rockers like Jason Mraz, Ray Lamontagne and John Mayer. However, it is the harmonies that distinguish this trio and harken to supergroups of the ’60s and ’70s like theCrosby, Stills & Nash; the Eagles; and Simon & Garfunkel.  The band released its fifth major release in February 2020, the studio album, Music Fills the Spaces.

Courtesy photo.

“We are so excited to fill the Panida Theater with the beautiful music of this trio of accomplished singer-songwriters who have come together with an amazing synergy,” stated POAC Executive Director Tone Stolz. “All fans of meaningful song writing and lush harmonies should not miss this gem of a performance!”

When Rich Price, Greg Naughton and Brian Chartrand (of Vermont, New York and Arizona, respectively) met for a chance jam session in a Rhode Island hotel room in 2007, the three instantly recognized a musical blend and kinship that would eventually overcome geography and solo careers to form The Sweet Remains. 

Price and Naughton started out writing songs for Price’s 2004 Geffen Records debut — a CD that spawned his single, “I’m on My Way,” featured on the multi-platinum Shrek 2 soundtrack. Price has released four solo albums and written music for many high-profile film and television projects. 

Hailed by Performing Songwriter Magazine as, “a magnetic writer and performer,” Naughton’s debut indie release, Demagogue & the Sun Songs, was co-produced by late Grammy-winning recording artist Phoebe Snow. Also an accomplished actor and director, Naughton wrote and directed the soon-to-be-released feature film The Independents, inspired by his experiences with Price and Chartrand in the music business.  

Chartrand grew up in Massachusetts, but has called Phoenix home since 2003. In addition to his work with The Sweet Remains, Chartrand has independently released numerous albums as a solo artist and with his Arizona-based band The Project, and regularly tours in Europe. He is the creator and co-front man of the touring musical review Live From Laurel Canyon, which celebrates the songs and legendary stories of artists who lived in Laurel Canyon, Calif. — a rock ’n’ roll neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills — between 1965 and 1976.

After that first jam session in 2007, Price, Naughton and Chartrand began writing and recording together during breaks in each of their solo touring. They eventually played these new songs for Grammy-winning producer Andy Zulla, and together set about recording The Sweet Remains’ debut CD, Laurel & Sunset.

Four studio albums, one live album/DVD and a feature film later, The Sweet Remains has won fans all over the globe and been featured in commercials, feature films, television, as well as having their songs covered by numerous artists.