The Lonely Forest

The Lonely Forest was an American indie rock band formed in Anacortes, Washington in 2005. The four piece ensemble, consisting of members John Van Deusen, Tony Ruland, Braydn Krueger, and Eric Sturgeon, has released two EP’s, four studio albums, and has placed songs on The CW’s popular television series The Vampire Diaries. Lead singer, John Van Deusen, won Seattle Weekly’s “Best Of Award” for “Best Vocalist, Male” (2011). The Band made their national television debut on August 2, 2011 on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Performing two songs off their album Arrows.

At its core, The Lonely Forest’s music features Van Deusen's soaring vocals and keyboard melodies wrapped tightly around Ruland's expansive guitar anchored by a heavy yet nimble rhythm section. The Lonely Forest got its start by winning the EMP's under-21 Sound Off! competition.

Chris Walla, guitarist and producer for Grammy-nominated rock band Death Cab for Cutie, made The Lonely Forest his first signing when he launched Trans with the support of Death Cab for Cutie’s major label home, Atlantic Records. Trans and The Lonely Forest released Arrows (2011) through ILG, Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group. In addition to Walla’s role as label head, Walla produced Arrows at Sound City studio in Los Angeles, Tiny Telephone in San Francisco, and in his own Portland-based studio, Alberta Court. He also mixed three tracks - "Be Everything," "Turn Off This Song," and "Live There." The rest of the Arrows was mixed by John Goodmanson (Girls, Nada Surf, Owl City).