Interviews with Bay Area up-and-coming bands
Interview with Rags and Ribbons, Breakdown Valentine and Jaunting Martyrs
March 7, 2013 8:00pm
Rags and Ribbons
ragsandribbonsmusic.com
Rags + Ribbons play melodic rock anthems driven by classically-inspired piano. Progressive and post-rock influences by way of Queen, Muse, MEW and Sigur Ros color these intricate pop songs, expressing desire, yearning, regret and joy like only pop can. This Portland, Oregon band’s debut album, “The Glass Masses” features elaborately structured songs with rich harmonies and dramatic hooks.
Pianist, Jonathan Hicks, and guitarist, Ben Weyerhaeuser, met and decided to form the band while singing together in school choirs. Their twinned vocals are a key element of the band’s sound, adding depth and showmanship to their songs. By a fortunate twist of fate, the band became complete when drummer, Chris Neff, responded to a Craigslist post from Jon and Ben. The band’s diverse backgrounds, ranging from the ghetto of Flint, Michigan to the suburbs of Portland, Oregon to the farmlands of rural Washington State, provide a broad scope of influences and musical styles. Rags + Ribbons strive to create unique music and live performances that communicate an exciting range of shared human experiences.
Breakdown Valentine
facebook.com/BreakdownValentine
Breakdown Valentine hails from San Francisco and consists of Allen Davis (formerly of Every Move a Picture) and Olivia Barchard. The duo diligently crafts dynamic songs, pulling inspiration from warm analog synth sounds to mindscapes of cinematic value. They strive to design emotive sonic experiences, but never steer too far from their natural pop-sensibilities. The music sits comfortably next to sounds by Chromatics, M83, Pheonix, The Naked and Famous, Goldfrapp…etc. Breakdown Valentine are currently recording and diving into the live circuit.
Jaunting Martyrs
thejauntingmartyrs.com
The Jaunting Martyrs is a San Francisco/Bay Area cross-genre band that combines elements of Rockabilly, Gypsy Swing, Surf, Blues, and good ol’ Rock ‘n’ Roll. The elements of story telling, poetry, references to folklore, literary history, and current events in the lyricism and the eclectic nature of this group produces music that is unique and yet relatable. From the cross-genre sound & tight musicianship, to the handmade custom designed costumes, to the DIY merch & posters of original art, to the surprise guest appearances of clown acts & sideshow freaks at shows, to the collaborative addition of varying local horn players… This band puts on a multi-dimensional show like no other.
ragsandribbonsmusic.com
Rags + Ribbons play melodic rock anthems driven by classically-inspired piano. Progressive and post-rock influences by way of Queen, Muse, MEW and Sigur Ros color these intricate pop songs, expressing desire, yearning, regret and joy like only pop can. This Portland, Oregon band’s debut album, “The Glass Masses” features elaborately structured songs with rich harmonies and dramatic hooks.
Pianist, Jonathan Hicks, and guitarist, Ben Weyerhaeuser, met and decided to form the band while singing together in school choirs. Their twinned vocals are a key element of the band’s sound, adding depth and showmanship to their songs. By a fortunate twist of fate, the band became complete when drummer, Chris Neff, responded to a Craigslist post from Jon and Ben. The band’s diverse backgrounds, ranging from the ghetto of Flint, Michigan to the suburbs of Portland, Oregon to the farmlands of rural Washington State, provide a broad scope of influences and musical styles. Rags + Ribbons strive to create unique music and live performances that communicate an exciting range of shared human experiences.
Breakdown Valentine
facebook.com/BreakdownValentine
Breakdown Valentine hails from San Francisco and consists of Allen Davis (formerly of Every Move a Picture) and Olivia Barchard. The duo diligently crafts dynamic songs, pulling inspiration from warm analog synth sounds to mindscapes of cinematic value. They strive to design emotive sonic experiences, but never steer too far from their natural pop-sensibilities. The music sits comfortably next to sounds by Chromatics, M83, Pheonix, The Naked and Famous, Goldfrapp…etc. Breakdown Valentine are currently recording and diving into the live circuit.
Jaunting Martyrs
thejauntingmartyrs.com
The Jaunting Martyrs is a San Francisco/Bay Area cross-genre band that combines elements of Rockabilly, Gypsy Swing, Surf, Blues, and good ol’ Rock ‘n’ Roll. The elements of story telling, poetry, references to folklore, literary history, and current events in the lyricism and the eclectic nature of this group produces music that is unique and yet relatable. From the cross-genre sound & tight musicianship, to the handmade custom designed costumes, to the DIY merch & posters of original art, to the surprise guest appearances of clown acts & sideshow freaks at shows, to the collaborative addition of varying local horn players… This band puts on a multi-dimensional show like no other.
