This group has gone through so many group member changes since it formed.....that I feel like a bus driver in the city....hahahahahahah!!!!! Anyway...let's see..currently there is HOWIE MALL on various woodwinds,ALEX KATSARIS on acoustic and electronic perCUSSION , ALEX deANGELIS on keyboards and myself on guitar and vocals...we'd like to add some other elements into the group like more percussion, a bass,strings ,another keyboard perhaps and they need to sing harmonies..that is a big part of this music and it's been missing for quite awhile
Influences
WOW ...where to begin...so many....hhhmmm well at the top needs to be GOD ,YESHUAH ANd My FAMILY, DEAD CAN DANCE,YES,
COcTEAU TWINS,RADIOHEAD,PETER GABRIEL,PAT METHENY, The BEATLES,THe CHIEFTAINS,JONI MITCHELL,SUZANNE VEGA,KING CRIMSON,WEATHER REPORT,TOAD THE WET SPROCKET,DAVe MATTHEWS BAND,MOODY BLUES,PINK FLOYD, THE PRETENDERS....CELTIC MUSIC, THE IMPRESSIONIST PERIOD,JAZZ,WORLD MUSIC...THE UNIVERSE...NATURE...LIVE IN GENERAL
Sounds Like
WELL..... WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT INFLUENCES ...IT SOUNDS LIKE A DELICIOUS MULTIFLAVOURED STEW THAT INNERWEAVES MELODY ,HARMONY AND RHYTHM INTO A PLEASANT BLEND...LET THE PEOPLE HEAR WHAT THEY WILL IN IT...IF THEY ARE MOVED BY THE LYRICS AND MUSIC...THEN WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB...HOW'S THAT? ...YEAH ...VERY COOL...
The group was formed in 2001 as a means to explore different musical flavours then what I had been envolved in up to this a point...Before STRANGER tHan FICTION I had been in a group called MARBLE FEATHER playing bass and singing harmonies..it was kind of folky with some celtic flavourings..some guitars, a bit of cello,bass and percussion...before that I was in a group called PHiLOSOPHy of CHANCE....hhhmm how to describe it ...rather poppy with a U2 flavour...yeAH...so now it was time to take on the challenge of forming something new..... this group needed to be different ...pulling from elements from different genres from all over the world...thus the evolution of alterjazzicalworldfolkfusion...the lyrics have a strong spiritual and social consciousness at their core...Our gifts ARE GOD given and so that is an important aspect of this music...
I had come from a classical background( studying voice and composition)and jazz besides playing in a myriad of different bands growing up...we do a majority of original music with some tasteful covers pulled from such diverse groups as YES,the BEATLES,DEAD CAN DANCE the CHIEFTAINS....to name a few....the composition process comes in different ways...sometimes we might be jamming and certains cells of ideas come out of that and then they're added upon...other times...I 'll come in with a more structured song idea with lyrics...and then everyone in the group adds their own elements into the mix...it's a very organic process..and leaving room for that is very important....
Check the song I have on my profile. I helped Andy.....I guess I was the "grip", since I held the mic for him (???)......It was all done in one day on a four-track. Tight work.
No my friend didn't get lost, car broke down on the east west trying to get to your show, my life sucks right now. So sorry about not showing up, I hate when I tell someone something and it doesn't happen, makes me look like a lier. I had good intentions really old friend, next one I hope to be there. Is the union calling you to work or whats the haps, it slow right now right? Keifus~ SORRY PAULIE!!!!
As many of you know, one of my greatest passions is the issue of homelessness among kids and teenagers... and that I speak about my experiences at my shows and in introducing the song "Second Street." This year, I am asking for your help in getting involved with raising awareness about the issue of homelessness among kids.....
Imagine if…
22 million individuals reached out to a million homeless kids.
You have the power to save lives!
The Covenant House Candle Light Vigil is a beacon of hope for thousands of kids living on the streets.
This year we are calling you-- and community members all across the country-- to help make this beacon of hope shine more brightly.
Help guide homeless kids-- kids who often seek shelter in abandoned buildings and other unsafe circumstances-- to a place where they can find immediate help and a second chance at life.
How will you make a difference? *Host a satellite vigil at your home, at your facility, or within the community. *Take part in the Virtual Candlelight Vigil, and encourage your friends and coworkers to light a and send a message of hope to all homeless kids. *Join us for the Covenant House Florida Candle Light Vigil, Thursday, November 15th 2007 on Lake Eola in Orlando.
Please join us in raising awareness about the plight of homeless and runaway youth!
For more information, please contact Maria E. Mayola at: mmayola@covenanthousefl.org
