Local Band Network Member Since: January 31, 2004
Last Update: February 27, 2004
Average rating:
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Music types:
Eclectic, Ethnic
Description:
The Ordinary Way is a Northern Virginia based septet blending and texturing the genres of rock, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, electronica, and improvisational mayhem. A lineup of patchwork lifestyles and scattered ethnicities has congealed randomly over the past five years. Though primarily centered on the northeast quadrant of the country, the band has completed numerous tours in all regions of the US. Having performed more than 400 shows in 30 states, they have gained extensive experience with life on the road and are fully focused on bringing something unique and inspiring to anyone who cares to listen. The group maintains a high level of activity in the music scene, rarely giving their van a week off from shows and never forgetting the importance of persistence in the hopes of success. Recently The Ordinary Way has incorporated a traveling sign language interpreter into their performances for the benefit of the Deaf community, bringing the lyrical side of their music to people who might want to participate in shows, but otherwise would not be so inclined. Musically, The Ordinary Way has its hands up every genre’s skirt. Typically named as a “jamband”, the group fits in vaguely and is commonly lumped together by critics with about everyone in the Jam scene. While the band acknowledges and appreciates the support and fanbase that the jamband commuity has brought them, they are constantly delving into new aural territory and trying to keep themselves on the creative fringes. With ever-changing influences pouring from Louis Armstrong to Slayer and everything in between, there is no shortage of inspiration and new ideas. The band’s last two albums- Death & Taxes (self-released, 2001) and Dojo (BOS Records, 2003)- show a stark difference over those years, and to hear the material written since Dojo was recorded, one might think they were listening to a completely different (or at least mentally mutated) clan of musicians. That is not to say that there are no constants in the mix, just that in the struggle for new expression and creative release, the band finds itself branching away from its roots. Roots are what they are, though, and it is safe to assume that the average show participant would experience a bit of everything- old and new. All vague attempts at definition aside, The Ordinary Way as an organization is completely devoted to the music and ideals it embodies, and is firmly determined to bring itself to success. Everyone involved with the band is aware that limitations arise as a result of growth, and they are all willing to look forward to a new phase as the group takes on the new management/booking entities that will be necessary to move up to the next level.
Band Members:
Robin Boldt (27)- drums Jesse Hooper (22)- keyboards/synths Fabienne Gustave (25)- vocals Ryan Leonardo (27)- percussion Austin Mendenhall (21)- guitar Gordon Sterling (26)- guitar, vocals Chris Stringfellow (27)- bass
plus Meghan Shannon (23) Sign Language Interpreter
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