Dress Rehearsal

this is a compilation of reviews - mostly from our two-song single, "the lazy river road". - Adam Bentley

The small town of St. Marys, Ontario helped spawn this four-piece ensemble, with twin brothers Sean and Kevin Graham forming "Tiger Zebra" in 2004. After years of song-writing, learning, sculpting and progressing, the Graham brothers released their debut album, "Greens & Honey" on July 9, 2009.

The songs, which are acoustic at their core, draw a sonic and atmospheric feel with their swirling guitars, layered vocal harmonies and versatile drumming. The band has always been proud to draw influence from the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Sun Kil Moon, Elliott Smith, Sunny Day Real Estate, Built to Spill, Blind Melon, and Doves. During the hectic months leading up to the release, the band was able to add new members in order to add substance to their live shows. Ryan Watson, also from St. Marys, took the reins playing lead guitar.

The three "Stonetowners" formed the creative back-bone needed to keep the band afloat while it saw a carousel of additional members come and go. After returning from a two year stint in Thailand, Joshua Dorhety joined the band as the bass player in June of 2010. The band has spent the past two years supporting Greens & Honey through relentless gigging, including a highly successful Eastern Canadian tour, and self-promotion. Dress Rehearsal released a two-song single titled "The Lazy River Road" in early November that sees the first recordings of all four members in studio together. Recorded in Hamilton by Michael Keire (Wildlife, Dark Mean), the band is certainly hoping to turn some heads. Keep your eyes and ears open.

They'll thank you for it later.

CR: I wanna thank you for taking time out of your schedule to talk with me and Rogue Magazine’s Hearing Aid . How Are You?

Dress Rehearsal: Fantastic, thank you.

CR:...iiight lets do this!!! Aside from music and what is written in your bio, tell us something about you that your fans don’t know.

Dress Rehearsal: We're all very good friends and would be happy to spend most of our days travelling in an RV together.

CR: So...At what point in your life did you know you wanted to pursue a musical career and realize that you had what it takes to succeed in the messed up industry.

Dress Rehearsal: Well we still don't know if we have what it takes to succeed, but the small success we've had are still successes nevertheless, so I guess we've gotten somewhere. We began recording our first album, "Greens & Honey" in March of 2009, and it was around that time that we decided to put our musical endeavours at the forefront, instead of on the back-burner. I was sick of re-recording demos in my bedroom and pretending that I was a songwriting musician. I remember thinking that I'd focus on the music for a year and see what happened....that was very naive. certainly I couldn't stop if I tried, that's what's most fascinating about this messed up industry. Your passion keeps you trying, and you learn to rewire your idea of what successes and failures are.

CR: What experience do you value more and in turn get more personal satisfaction from as an artist? The creative process of making a song from the thoughts, inspirations and and feelings to the writing, producing and/or recording of that song OR performing the the finished track at one of your live shows and feeling/ seeing the crowds positive reaction and love for your musical genius.

Dress Rehearsal: We'd have to say all of the above....every good song takes us through all of these journeys. I love the creative process as being both incredibly therapeutic and rewarding. Songs like "River Blue" and "Morning Grey" went through a lot of changes during their infancy and every time we added something right to them, it's exciting. Even in the studio we tweaked a few things and hearing them for the first time with proper production was amazing. As far as playing live, that's the best part for us, especially when the audience recognizes and appreciates the energy that's put into the how those songs are coming across.

CR: Who are the musical legends that influenced you growing up, and/or affected your musical career and who are the unsigned artist's you respect and love.

Dress Rehearsal: I just watched a DVD of a Smashing Pumpkins show from 1993 and it might be one of the most inspirational performances I've ever watched. I immediately was reminded of how much I used to worship that band and how they created the love affair I have for music. Our Pumpkins influence is undeniable, and Billy Corgan as a guitar player is about as legendary as they come in my opinion. Elliott Smith influenced me to begin writing music. It was kind of a gloomy place and time, and everything he did just seemed to make sense. I couldn't help but be inspired to put my own thoughts onto a piece of paper and alongside some of the instrumentals I had lying around.

CR: If I stole your iPod/iPhone/iPad or MP3 player...aside from my songs and Rogue Mag’s The Book Of Angels video podcasts what else would - Rogue Magazine

The small town of St. Marys, Ontario helped spawn this four-piece ensemble, with twin brothers Sean and Kevin Graham forming "Tiger Zebra" in 2004. After years of song-writing, learning, sculpting and progressing, the Graham brothers released their debut album, "Greens & Honey" on July 9, 2009.

The songs, which are acoustic at their core, draw a sonic and atmospheric feel with their swirling guitars, layered vocal harmonies and versatile drumming. The band has always been proud to draw influence from the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Sun Kil Moon, Elliott Smith, Sunny Day Real Estate, Built to Spill, Blind Melon, and Doves. During the hectic months leading up to the release, the band was able to add new members in order to add substance to their live shows. Ryan Watson, also from St. Marys, took the reins playing lead guitar.

The three "Stonetowners" formed the creative back-bone needed to keep the band afloat while it saw a carousel of additional members come and go. After returning from a two year stint in Thailand, Joshua Dorhety joined the band as the bass player in June of 2010. The band has spent the past two years supporting Greens & Honey through relentless gigging, including a highly successful Eastern Canadian tour, and self-promotion. Dress Rehearsal released a two-song single titled "The Lazy River Road" in early November that sees the first recordings of all four members in studio together. Recorded in Hamilton by Michael Keire (Wildlife, Dark Mean), the band is certainly hoping to turn some heads. Keep your eyes and ears open.

They'll thank you for it later.

CR: I wanna thank you for taking time out of your schedule to talk with me and Rogue Magazine’s Hearing Aid . How Are You?

Dress Rehearsal: Fantastic, thank you.

CR:...iiight lets do this!!! Aside from music and what is written in your bio, tell us something about you that your fans don’t know.

Dress Rehearsal: We're all very good friends and would be happy to spend most of our days travelling in an RV together.

CR: So...At what point in your life did you know you wanted to pursue a musical career and realize that you had what it takes to succeed in the messed up industry.

Dress Rehearsal: Well we still don't know if we have what it takes to succeed, but the small success we've had are still successes nevertheless, so I guess we've gotten somewhere. We began recording our first album, "Greens & Honey" in March of 2009, and it was around that time that we decided to put our musical endeavours at the forefront, instead of on the back-burner. I was sick of re-recording demos in my bedroom and pretending that I was a songwriting musician. I remember thinking that I'd focus on the music for a year and see what happened....that was very naive. certainly I couldn't stop if I tried, that's what's most fascinating about this messed up industry. Your passion keeps you trying, and you learn to rewire your idea of what successes and failures are.

CR: What experience do you value more and in turn get more personal satisfaction from as an artist? The creative process of making a song from the thoughts, inspirations and and feelings to the writing, producing and/or recording of that song OR performing the the finished track at one of your live shows and feeling/ seeing the crowds positive reaction and love for your musical genius.

Dress Rehearsal: We'd have to say all of the above....every good song takes us through all of these journeys. I love the creative process as being both incredibly therapeutic and rewarding. Songs like "River Blue" and "Morning Grey" went through a lot of changes during their infancy and every time we added something right to them, it's exciting. Even in the studio we tweaked a few things and hearing them for the first time with proper production was amazing. As far as playing live, that's the best part for us, especially when the audience recognizes and appreciates the energy that's put into the how those songs are coming across.

CR: Who are the musical legends that influenced you growing up, and/or affected your musical career and who are the unsigned artist's you respect and love.

Dress Rehearsal: I just watched a DVD of a Smashing Pumpkins show from 1993 and it might be one of the most inspirational performances I've ever watched. I immediately was reminded of how much I used to worship that band and how they created the love affair I have for music. Our Pumpkins influence is undeniable, and Billy Corgan as a guitar player is about as legendary as they come in my opinion. Elliott Smith influenced me to begin writing music. It was kind of a gloomy place and time, and everything he did just seemed to make sense. I couldn't help but be inspired to put my own thoughts onto a piece of paper and alongside some of the instrumentals I had lying around.

CR: If I stole your iPod/iPhone/iPad or MP3 player...aside from my songs and Rogue Mag’s The Book Of Angels video podcasts what else would - Rogue Magazine

Rarely do I ever find music that endears itself to me so completely and without cause that I fall short of words to describe it. Dress Rehearsal are a four-piece musical assemble from Toronto, and their two track effort 'The Lazy River Road' has I think, just done exactly that! Composed of 'Morning Grey' and 'River Blue', which you can stream up above, it's nothing short of truly and sincerely and inexplicably beautiful. 'River Blue's humble guitar strum a catchy melody with your heartstrings, lead vocals relaying lyricism of the utmost brilliance! The number swells and builds with subtle attenuation, without need of recognition. These four musicians feels so together you almost choke up, an honesty and unparalleled desire to watch them sit upon the bank of their Lazy River running into your mind. They play that almost overwhelmingly sad melody of 'Morning Grey' genuinely, with such innocence and faultlessly nostalgic elegance that you cannot fail to fall head over heels for it. Graciously emotional, Dress Rehearsal are so quietly content and stunningly unassuming, you wish for all the world that they would get all the praise they deserve. Part of me feels as though I haven't done 'The Lazy River Road' justice here, but another part tells me nobody could! Stream 'River Blue' above, and grab the rest of this acoustic perfection for free over here! - Music Dissection Blog

Rarely do I ever find music that endears itself to me so completely and without cause that I fall short of words to describe it. Dress Rehearsal are a four-piece musical assemble from Toronto, and their two track effort 'The Lazy River Road' has I think, just done exactly that! Composed of 'Morning Grey' and 'River Blue', which you can stream up above, it's nothing short of truly and sincerely and inexplicably beautiful. 'River Blue's humble guitar strum a catchy melody with your heartstrings, lead vocals relaying lyricism of the utmost brilliance! The number swells and builds with subtle attenuation, without need of recognition. These four musicians feels so together you almost choke up, an honesty and unparalleled desire to watch them sit upon the bank of their Lazy River running into your mind. They play that almost overwhelmingly sad melody of 'Morning Grey' genuinely, with such innocence and faultlessly nostalgic elegance that you cannot fail to fall head over heels for it. Graciously emotional, Dress Rehearsal are so quietly content and stunningly unassuming, you wish for all the world that they would get all the praise they deserve. Part of me feels as though I haven't done 'The Lazy River Road' justice here, but another part tells me nobody could! Stream 'River Blue' above, and grab the rest of this acoustic perfection for free over here! - Music Dissection Blog

Dress Rehearsal’s The Lazy River Road is pretty epic. It’s got these uplifting crescendos which take you along with it. It’s loud and strides with a swagger. It’s a very exhilarating track that portrays a band with ambition and sensitivity. If Dress Rehearsal keep up like this I can see them playing to huge crowds within a few months. - Stagedive Malta

Dress Rehearsal’s The Lazy River Road is pretty epic. It’s got these uplifting crescendos which take you along with it. It’s loud and strides with a swagger. It’s a very exhilarating track that portrays a band with ambition and sensitivity. If Dress Rehearsal keep up like this I can see them playing to huge crowds within a few months. - Stagedive Malta

Toronto-based Dress Rehearsal has released a great new 2-track single, The Lazy River Road. "River Blue" is the more upbeat of the two, with its layered guitars and propulsive drumming reminiscent of Local Natives or Maps & Atlases. "Morning Grey" starts out as an acoustic folk tune, before adding electric guitar and some nice vocal harmonies. Fans of the aforementioned Local Natives or Fleet Foxes should take notice.

Founded by twin brothers Kevin and Sean Graham in St. Marys, Ontario, the band cites a diverse set of influences, including Smashing Pumpkins, Elliott Smith, Built to Spill, and Sun Kil Moon. Now based in Toronto, the Graham brothers are joined by Ryan Watson (lead guitar) and Joshua Doherty (bass). In 2009, Dress Rehearsal released its first full-length, Greens & Honey (check the links below). The band has been recording an ongoing series of living room covers, including a sweet re-interpretation of Bon Iver's "Beth/Rest," stripped of the 80s-style saxophones and keyboards in the original.
- GTI Music

Each of the members in Dress Rehearsal have experienced some degree of disappointment in recent months. Other projects they've been involved in have included situations in which people have been "mentally cut off" from one another. Coming together, though, times seemed to have changed. The four-piece group from Toronto have started to feel the click, and with this new found motivation released The Lazy River Road, which features "River Blue" and "Morning Grey", two songs debuting Dress Rehearsal's alternative folk-rock textures. The release was marked as an attempt "to bridge the emotional gaps between happy and sad, calm and boisterous, while building genuine cathartic moments", and between the two tracks, the goal was accomplished quite successfully. Included in their repertoire is Covers a Hillside, which has two acoustic covers written by band member Kevin Graham, one of which is a "Scenic World" cover by Beirut, one of my favorite songs. It's a wonderful take on the original with a way more chill and laid-back approach. Below I've posted "River Blue" and the cover for your listening pleasure, and if you've never heard the original, check it out. - Audio Splash

Toronto band Dress Rehearsal just released a new single that is the harbinger of the band's trancendence to the status of major players. The tracks River Blue and Morning Grey are some of the best new freak folk I've heard in a long while. Fans of Mumford and Sons and Fleet Foxes will find the best elements of both in Dress Rehearsal's music. The two tracks on The Lazy River Road are more melodic than the former and heavier than the latter.The songs are beautiful, driving and delicately intricate. ? This single is great and one can only hope that a full length is to follow not to far behind. - Ric Gordon

A feature that the good folks from Chicago's "My Indie Life" put together. They simply found us on Myspace, loved what they heard, and decided to tell their online community. They even put little video clips together for two of our songs. - Maybe Hip

A feature that the good folks from Chicago's "My Indie Life" put together. They simply found us on Myspace, loved what they heard, and decided to tell their online community. They even put little video clips together for two of our songs. - Maybe Hip

It's time for Dress Rehearsal to take the stage. The Toronto-based band is coming home to St. Marys on the wings of it's first album, Greens & Honey. Twins Sean and Kevin Graham, Ryan Watson and Tiffany Blom, all of St. Marys, as well as Paul Vergeer of London, will be debuting tracks from the album, which was released July 9, 2009. Sean and Kevin have shared a "life-long passion for music", says Kevin, including stints with local bands while in high school. Kevin says that he began writing his own songs in 2004 while the twins were attending the University of Guelph. "Sean was quick to provide percussion and within months, our new band was off and running". The twins played regularly in Guelph and Southwestern Ontario during their final two years of University, as well as writing and recording. "It's fantastic," Kevin says of playing with his brother. "We've always had a sort of musical kinship where we're rarely on different pages. It's almost effortless playing together, even if it's a song we've never played before." But it was only after traveling throughout Canada and South America after university - and returning to St. Marys - that "we had a stronger drive to write worthwhile music," Kevin explains. In the Summer of 2008, Kevin approached Tiffany Blom to sing back-up vocals on a few songs, and the trip played many small shows around the area. But the group was soon ready to go into the studio and make their music permanent. Starting this past March, 11 tracks were recorded in Toronto. The sound of Dress Rehearsal's debut album is fundamentally acoustic, with pretty, layered vocals and energetic, sparkling guitar work. Lyrics are very personal, but not inaccessible. Kevin says "(Some of the lyrics) justify that a lot of great music can come as a result of less-than-desirable experiences and situations."
While the twins and Blom are featured on the album, Vergeer bass and Watson plays lead guitar to add dimension to the live shows. While the twins have "day jobs" in Toronto, Kevin says that a music career is "worth a shot - we've barely scratched the surface, but it's already been very rewarding and I've learned so much more doing this than I would have had I kept working at something I had little passion in."
~ Andrea Macko, Staff Reporter - Journal Argus, St. Marys, ON

http://blaremagazine.com/2009/11/07/for-your-ears-only-dress-rehearsal/ - Blare Magazine