After the release of the grand and thematic Save the Swimmer, and the bitter sweet pop symphony of the subsequent Safe Distance EP, it was time for Portland, OR band Jonah to step back and take a look at where they wanted to go musically with their next offering. They had won over fans and critics alike with their adherence to the majestic side of what pop music could be; something resembling early U2 earnestness meets the hypnotic and dark beauty of Radiohead. Tracks from both records had made their way onto nationally syndicated TV hits and garnered radio rotation as well as landed spots on many compilation discs nationwide.

But the band was evolving and needed the experience of a seasoned producer to guide them. They chose Marshall Altman, a veteran from the world of A&R at both Columbia and Hollywood Records and a songwriter/producer with many notable artists in his resume (Marc Broussard, Zebrahead, Matt Nathenson). Altman’s friend and colleague, Joe Zook (Modest Mouse, Counting Crows, Remy Zero), was enlisted to engineer the recording. The result is the long awaited second full-length album from Jonah: Trust Everyone Before They Break Your Heart, a tightly wound pop testament that displays the breadth of the band’s talents.

From the frenzied and chaotic avalanche of Time’s Up to the cinematic dreampop of The Joy of Drowning, the songs are statements to the whole: portraits of love and loss, the betrayal of the heart and the elusive promise of happiness and success, all set against a backdrop of eternal optimism for the human condition. The centerpiece of Henry Curl’s bright and elegant tenor is echoed in the shimmering waves of Chris Hayes’ understated, less is more guitar playing, pinned down by the concise and seamless pulse of Matt Roger’s bass and Jake Endicott’s drums. It is the sound of a band evolving into something brand new, without loosing what made them so appealing in the first place.

..."this Portland quartet's new album, Trust Everyone Before They Break Your Heart, is a gorgeous, lush collection of Britpop tinged with classic Northwest melancholy." - SPIN MAGAZINE March 2007

"For a Pacific Northwest band to get favorable comparisons to Coldplay and Radiohead is no easy feat, and the good news in Jonah's case is that they're entirely deserved.

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Mark Radcliffe writes the kind of songs that get you through the tough stuff. With a heavy emphasis on melody and emotional content, his songs deal with heartbreak, loss, infatuation and the difficulty of finding your own path in life.

Mark grew up in Maine learning the hard rock styles of Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Though his music is primarily acoustic based with Pop/Rock roots, these early influences gave him a technical approach you don't hear in most singer/songwriters. He became a serious musician only after years of studying acting & film in NYC, writing TV commercials and spending time in Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, & Portland.

Influenced by the soulful approach of bands like U2, The Beatles & Crowded House as well as artists such as Marc Cohn & The Indigo Girls, Mark writes music centered around his passionate, expressive vocals, introspective lyrics and memorable melodies. His percussive guitar style employs a rhythmic approach with a fierce attack, expressive picking and intricate chords. Brimming with emotional lyrics and careful craftsmanship, each of Mark's songs is filled with peaks and valleys building to a crescendo. His first album "All I Can Remember" was recorded in early 2007.

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