Donovan Rice and the Standing Cinema

Not to be confused with the skateboarder, this Donovan Rice makes soft, subtly complicated music that threads the accessible lilt of the singer/songwriter genre with a more difficult, experimental feel, like Baths or even Pattern Is Movement. Rice grew up in a family of musicians and learned his craft listening to 1960s icons like the Beatles and the Beach Boys, scrutinizing their classic albums in chronological order, gleaning everything he could from Revolver before moving onto Abbey Road. His EP, Sink This Ship, reflects all that exacting study, with songs that are exquisitely constructed on guitar and piano. -J.K.

9pm. $5. With Sean Branchfield + the Unnamed Band. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave. 215.739.5577. themanhattanroom.com



Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/events/Donovan-Rice-101993943.html#ixzz17d0kzKIv - Philadelphia Weekly

Revolution #5

With McNabb now in Washington, there’s room in town for another Donovan to cheer for…

Performing folk-rock with original songs in the style of Lennon and McCartney, and with the vocal warmth of They Might Be Giants, Donovan Rice is an up and coming singer-songwriter to watch in the Philadelphia arena.

Donovan comes from a musical family as his mother and father are both musicians; his father, Denny, still regularly performs with various bands in Youngstown, OH. This influence has been a huge factor on Donovan’s song writing throughout his life. The first part of his musical education was the steady diet of the Beatles and Beach Boys when he was young. To make sure that he understood it correctly, he had to experience them in order—he couldn’t listen to Abbey Road without first knowing Revolver. The second piece was the house full of musical equipment. Not only does this help an adolescent boy become one of the coolest kids in school, but also allowed him to explore the different elements of music and layering the sound within the various bands he’s played with throughout the years.

These days, he’s focused on his solo act and finding his space into the Philadelphia music scene. He’s a regular at open mics in the city, and will be the featured performer at Lickety Split‘s Tuesday night open mic on April 27 performing with his friend (and recording engineer) Jeff Wuollet. The early influences are easy to notice, but shown in modern convention. His songwriting combines 1960's song structures with Common Era sensibilities. His songs are crafted carefully so that the finished product is something of substance. They are built around a hook or phrase, and the lyrics are far from disposable. The results are catchy songs that stick in your head and resonate.

One such example is his song “Stones in the Boat”. Written one night when Donovan was alone and pondering his upcoming wedding. He penned this song starting with the idea of “although you brought these stones in the boat, I keep it afloat” as the central metaphor for working together with his fiancée, Michelle. The song is beautiful and fitting, and will be played as Donovan and Michelle’s wedding song in May (without coincidence to take place upon a ship). It has also been sold to a outfit in the Bahamas to be featured on a wedding dvd so future lovebirds can share these same sentiments.

In the midst of all of these plans, he’s also working on an album with Jeff at Smashed Cat Recordings in Olde City and a new website (www.donovanrice.com); both to be released post-honeymoon in June. For now, you can catch him most Tuesdays at Lickety Split (be sure to check out the extended set 4/27) and at www.myspace.com/standingcinema.

- Daniel Scholl - The City Folk

There was no Revolver without Help nor Help without a Hard Day’s Night. Influenced by talented musician parents, understanding and listening to each Beatles album in order was a life lesson that undeniably shaped the song writing of this respectable musician based out of Philadelphia. One could argue that Rice’s unique melodies are not your run of the mill. In fact, the unpredictability of his sculpted melodies coupled with inspirational and heartfelt lyrics revivify with each listen. Each song walks the line of persona straddling ambition and every part labored until the striking result is presented so naturally you’d believe it was crafted effortlessly.
- LPM Voice