Ships to Roam formed as a solo project by Portland native, Jerome Blankenship in 2005. Their first album, Funeral Songs & Lullabies debuted in 2006 with raving reviews from local critics. Ships grew in local notability playing alongside bands Horse Feathers, Kind of Like Spitting and Freedy Johnston while composing their own flare of Northwest Indie Folk. 

 

2013 brought growth to the band, as Jerome formed a full quartet for Ships sophomore album, Carried by Broken Boats. Newly relocated to McMinnville, Oregon, the band grew emotionally through life altering changes that can be felt within their music. 

 

Boxing the Compass, the third album and first recorded with a full band, resulted in a broader blend of instrumentation, including upright bass and banjo to mandolin and keys. The album also features Oregon Music Hall of Fame musician Paul Brainard (Decemberists, M.Ward, She & Him, Fernando, Richmond Fontaine) who plays pedal steel and trumpet on the album.

 

2018 brough the band you see today. Jerome continues to steer the ship on vocals and songwriting. Mike Brown weaves soulful soundscapes on lead guitar. Backing vocalist and emotive bass lines are formed by Liam Stary. Ryan Hales rounds out the band with solid rhythm and pulse on drums. 

While navigating families and careers through a pandemic, Ships to Roam managed to record a 4th album, Temporary Gift, scheduled for release later this year.