With a sound all their own and a stage show to match, Bombadil is, if nothing else, one of the freshest bands to emerge in a long time. Formed by Daniel Michalak, Bryan Rahija and Stuart Robinson, this band draws on a unique mélange of influences to create a sound that is unclassifiable. The group Magnet Magazine deemed “a drunker, circus-reared version of The Band,” was born in Bolivia, where Michalak and Rahija first met. The folk music indigenous to the region lit a creative spark and inspired the two to begin writing songs that incorporated international instruments and styles. That influence, paired with their collective backgrounds in Piedmont blues, psychedelic rock and Robinson’s background as a classical pianist, stands as the driving force behind the band’s unique sound.
Their songs range from straightforward rock to Bolivian waltzes; from heartbreaking, piano-driven laments on loss of life to swashbuckling, raucus marches; and the appeal of their live show is undeniable. With a core of electric / acoustic guitars, bass, piano and drums and appearances by harmonica, xylophone, organ, synth, saxophone, trumpet, viola, charango, glockenspiel, accordion, recorder and even zampona, the show is unlike anything else. When even half of the instruments on stage are sounding at once, it creates a wall of sound that seems to transport the room to another place.
All of the instrumentation, however, does not detract at all from the core of Bombadil—anthemic, concrete songwriting. Much like Ramseur Records labelmates The Avett Brothers and the everybodyfields, the complicated, endearing character of their songs keeps Bombadil grounded and guides the show seamlessly along. It is what allows them to carry a room, whether there are one hundred instruments on stage or just a single guitar and voice. It is what people connect to—and why they keep coming back.
1. Trip Out West
2. Julian of Norwich
3. Smile When You Kiss
4. Rosetta Stone
5. Three Saddest Words
6. Buzz, a Buzz
7. One Two Three
8. Cavaliers (har hum)
9. Caterpillar Tree (for old time's sake)
10. Johnny
11. Get to Gettin On
1. jellybean wine
2. sinister side
3. johnny
4. tall grass
5. la paz
"a drunker, circus-reared version of The Band. The xylophones, trombones and accordions are mighty fancy and the three-part harmonies put these guys over the top." -- Magnet Magazine
"A determined band goes far, and with tunes this well-crafted, honed, and polished, these four deserve it all" -- 30music | 8 out of 10
"folksy and catchy...a sound as thick as southern preserves and lyrics that will either make you laugh or ponder their meaning" -- Performer
that's a really tough question. with physical anthro, i like to study forensics-- mostly bones. with cultural anthro, almost any book can fall into that category. as far as boring textbook anthro, maybe stuff about southeastern asia...tsukiji or stuff about commodity fetishism. yours?
Hey boys you got played on the Cool As Folk show this week. Follow the link to the playlist and hear the archive. I sure love everything Ramseur has been releasing over the last couple years. See you at Amnesia in SF! http://kdvs. org/shows/view/show_id/407/
BOMBADIL :) I can't wait to see you at Floyd Fest! Expect big big hugs because it's been since April since I saw you last! I hope youre 4th is amazing, I'm sorry I can't come out to that show but I have plans. <3
Yes I found you through Ramsuer -- we are huge Avett Fans and we are now fans of you -- we tried to catch you in Winston Salem but weren't able -- we will be at Finnigan's to see you in a few weeks, so I'm looking forward to hearing you live. You have an awesome sound!! Thanks for writing :-)
Yes sir- Phoenix and Tempe border each other, so looks like I'll be seeing you on August 13th. As for the find... I think maybe through Kimya Dawson's page, or the likes there of.
