Tuesday, November 22, 2011

BURNING RIVER RAMBLERS WRAPPING UP STELLAR YEAR



Cleveland band Named One of Top 25 Bands to Watch by Plain Dealer

Cleveland, OHThe Burning River Ramblers (BRR), named one of the “Top 25 Bands to Watch” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer two months ago, are continuing to build on a strong 2011 and plan to take that momentum into 2012.  The band released its self-titled debut album on August 25, and has been touring regionally in and around Northeast Ohio, when they are not attending classes at Ohio University. 

Following the release of the album (recorded at the Analog Arcade in Cleveland), BRR continued to headline Around the Corner in Lakewood, and as they did, they kept drawing more fans.  Now, the band is graduating to larger venues such as Wilbert’s and Brothers Lounge, where they will be playing November 26 and December 11, respectively.

"We are all extremely excited to take our music to the next level,” says singer and songwriter Conor Standish, one of the group’s original members.  “We are constantly improving and forming what we think will be a style of music that will interest everyone."

That style is a breezy, funky, Jack Johnson-ish alterna-pop that, not surprisingly, is extremely popular with college age crowds.  And, as their manager, Kelly Standish, says, “Their music sticks in your head for days, and the band’s chemistry is electric.” 

Kelly has seen the band progress as they started out as The Trip C’s, and practiced above a pet shop in Lakewood, and grew their fan base organically.  That band, which consisted of Conor along with bassist Chris Rush and harmonica player Chris Walling, eventually grew into BRR when drummer Jesse Catania joined them after delivering a pizza to the band, with Jesse’s brother Zach rounding out the lineup on guitar and keys. 

And now BRR is making noise –literally -- and is excited about what may lie ahead in 2012 and beyond.  BRR has also teamed up with the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA) to help educate and increase awareness. Their song, “Redwood,” was written in memory of a friend who took his life.  As part of the alliance with the SPEA, a portion of the proceeds from CD sales, as well as 99 cents of every download of “Redwood” on iTunes, is being donated back to the charity. Since suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people in Ohio, BRR wants to spread that word of prevention as they tour regionally.

For the most part, the band wants to continue to garner new fans.  "Our goal at the moment is to get as many people in the Cleveland and Athens areas to hear our music,” said Conor.  “We also want to keep playing live and to keep improving, so when people who have heard our CD come to hear us live for the first time, they are blown away at the strides we have taken.” 

Of course, the band has some holiday season shows planned, but Jesse is looking a bit further ahead.  “Having a successful summer tour would be awesome,” he said.   

For more information, please visit www.reverbnation.com/theburningriverramblers

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