Contributers:
Ramah Jihan: Nylon-string guitar, lead vocals, songwriter
Justin Rodig: Supporting vocal, clarinet, banjo, bells
Brett Bakshis: Electric bass
Marissa Deitz: Cello
Narrative:
Ramah Jihan wrote this music during long days of domestic construction and demolition in the summer of 2010. Often working in isolation for long periods, he had time to reflect and cope with the successes and failures of love. Having written this music in his head, the intricacies and inner logic of each piece had to be memorized by the end of the day only to be set to the guitar in the evenings, when he returned home. Perhaps this explains the nature of pastiche in the song cycle.
Sharing this music with long time friend and bass player Brett Bakshis established a dynamic, and sophisticated counterpoint. New found friend and composition major, Justin Rodig, provided important tone colors and subtitles to the work that uncovered the trapped doors behind every chord. His wife, Kayleigh Rodig was key in providing a safe space for the group to practice. Cellist, Ira Ochs began working with the group from the start and eventually Marissa Deitz took on this role.
This ambitious ensemble, composed of nylon string guitar, clarinet, cello, xylophone, electric bass, and harmonized tenor vocals, approaches the genre of acoustic chamber pop with a magazine of broken-hearted love songs that interrogate the space between monogamy and polyamory.
Discography:
Wooden Rings, Wooden Rings
released June 2, 2012
Stream/Purchase
This project is partially supported by a Community Arts Assistance Project grant from the city of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Wooden Rings
Ramah David Jihan Malebranche/ guitar, lead vocal, songwriter, producer
Justin Rodig / vocal, clarinet, banjo, bells, (wrote/ guitar Sky Blue)
Marissa Deitz / cello, vocal
Brett Bakshis / electric bass
Ben King/ graphics
Ben Rodig/ photographer
Joshua Miller / mixing engineer
James Auwarter / mastering engineer
(All mixing and matering done at Clybourn, Chicago)
Matt Livensparger / recording engineer, co-producer
Thank You:
Erve Malebranche
Kayleigh Rodig
Ira Ochs
Ryan Black
The Herbachs
Martine Theodore
