Every week we feature a notable rising artist on the verge of success. Meet this week’s resident group, the catchy song makers that are Rhino House Band. We had a chance to talk to them and go On The Record with questions that let us view alternative culture from the eyes of the musician.
But I got feelings,
Thoughts too,
Words and music that’ll make you move
Based in Brooklyn, New York, rhinohouseband was formed in early 2013 after long-term collaborators Ricky Demetro and Steven Bartashev joined forces with bassist James Baglia. For the next five months, the band, later joined by Jared Loperfido, shared their songs with the town and campus of New Paltz, compelling crowds with songs of love, insecurity, revelation, and self-discovery.In Fall 2013, Joey Vergara joined the band as bassist.
The technical elements of their instrumentals are full of thought and are also quite genius, and those lyrics are as equally amazing. Everything is so perfectly arranged and pondered. These songs don’t sound like raw demos from unsigned artists.
I feel that Wallkill River Demos reveals a lot about these guys as technical musicians/artists. They have a unique sound that defies genres, which is most likely inspired from their very wide range of music taste (The Beatles to Ween to Kanye).
Read the news—the bystanders said they
heard a sound that made them shiver
Two shots—one in the clearing and
another one meant to deliver
me to the Wallkill river
What’s the use of always dreaming if
she don’t need the love that I give her?
Right now the guys only have two songs out, but they’re both pretty epic. I had a chance to relisten to them on Monday, and they have been stuck in my head ever since. New music is on the way though, the Golden Summer EP is set to come out early next month. I cannot wait for this new EP because they are the definition of an indie diamond in the unsigned rough. Music like this is the reason I love doing Alternative Rising Acts—discovering the worthy and talented music makers of our generation.
On the Record with Rhino House Band
The time that someone almost dropped a snare drum onto Steven’s head from a balcony we were playing under, and the time we first all jammed to “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin
Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener?
We like everything. Indie rock of course, but also some folk music, some prog, some electronic stuff. Steve’s been listening to “CAN” from the 70s.
What is Rhino House Band currently working on? Any new projects?
Our EP is just about mixed, we’re mastering it on the 22nd and releasing it on February 1st. It’s got 5 really good songs on it (If I do say so myself). It’s called “Golden Summer EP.” Here’s a nonsensical promo video:
What is your dream collaboration and why?
I think we would like to be the backing band for Lil Wayne’s next rock album.