Scarlett Drive

Whether you know them by name or not, Scarlett Drive’s gritty southern style has been getting them recognized in the music industry. They found success by having two of their songs featured on one of the most popular primetime shows “90210”.


Chris Martin – lead vocals/rhythm guitar
Josh Kleiner – vocals, lead guitar
Katie Ruzanski – vocals
Keith Sullivan – bass guitar
Tim Baumann – drums


How did Scarlett Drive come together?

Scarlett Drive was founded back in 2010 by lead singer, Chris Martin, & lead guitar player, Josh Kleiner. “We met while playing with another local artist, and instantly bonded over our love for live rock n’ roll with a southern and gritty twist. After a failed attempt to start a country cover band together, we realized that all we wanted to do was create original music and make some serious noise in the New England area. We wanted to focus on vocals and guitar hooks, and create music that people would rock to, drink to, and most importantly, relate to. From there, we were able to reach out, through our own musical networks, to any interested musicians that had the same passion for wanting to write/create original awesomeness. Lucky for us, we were able to bring in good friends and very accomplished musicians, Tim Baumann & Keith Sullivan, on drums & bass, respectively, to round out the rhythm section. We were then able to add that key ingredient of a female vocal presence through Katie Ruzanski to provide a simple yet very effective dynamic to the already impressive band lineup. From there, the foundation had been set for Scarlett Drive, and all we needed to do was start building our dream home.”

“I Blame the Whiskey” and “Get Outta My Way” were featured on “90210”; How did that all come about?

After electronically releasing our self-titled debut album in January 2012 to outlets such as Bandcamp, iTunes, & Amazon, we had received an email randomly in early February from an individual, who works with the music supervisor on 90210, saying that both songs had been “placed in a cut” for different episodes. We had assumed that this individual, who actually grew up in Boston, had found us on Bandcamp, where our album had reached top 10 new release popularity status under the keyword “country rock”. We found out later on down the road that someone, who graduated high school with our bass player, Keith, works as an editor on the show and recommended our music for the episodes. He had seen on Facebook that Keith’s band had released an album. He gave it a listen, liked what he heard, and forwarded it along to the powers that be without our knowledge. It was refreshing to know that he liked our music enough to forward it on to the network himself.

If I didn’t know you were from Boston, listening to your music I would never guess you guys were from Boston. Who are your influences?

CHRIS – My influences have always been vocal driven. Great singers/groups, who deliver great live performances day in and day out, are true professionals in my opinion, and all I strive to be in the music world. With that said, country groups like Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Alabama, Diamond Rio, & Restless Heart are all unique with tremendous & distinctive vocals/harmonies. I also love the showmanship side with individuals like Paul Rodgers (Bad Company) & Huey Lewis. Those guys really know how to deliver a live performance.

KEITH - As a band, we are influenced by music that is not from the Boston area. We’ve molded our approaches to rhythm around styles similar to the Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Bad Company, and ZZ-Top to create a blues influenced rock and roll sound. We then introduce southern, country-esque vocal harmonies to ultimately give us a very unique style and sound.

JOSH - My interests vary from pop, to rock, to blues, to country and everything in between. I try to bring a Black Crowes, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, and The Eagles feel to the music--Refined swagger with rocking guitar and a good vocal hook.

KATIE: I am influenced by music that is original and organic. I like lyrics that mean something and music that backs the lyrics up. I have always loved blues-rock and country, I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and the Allman Brothers, every song has emotion and you can actually hear it through the instruments as well as the vocals. I love true country music made by the legendary artists who built the foundation for the country artists of today as well. I also am inspired by strong female vocalists like Miranda Lambert. If it was not for them, I would not be where I am today. I love singing Scarlett Drive songs because I feel that they share strong emotions with our listeners, and are songs that people can relate to.

You won Bank of the West Celebrates America Contest to Open up for Huey Lewis. That had to be a great experience; tell us about it?

CHRIS – It was definitely an intense experience, and the best musical experience of my life thus far. To be able to share the stage with one of my musical idols was surreal, not to mention the fact that we were playing in front of 50,000 people in a place we’d never been. It was a great opportunity to see how our music would be received in a place where nobody had ever heard of us. We felt like rockstars, but were definitely humbled by the sheer confidence that Huey Lewis & the News brought to that stage.

KEITH - The experience was certainly one that we won’t forget. What I enjoyed most about it was the fact that we were part of such a large production. It was cool to see all the different groups needed to produce something of that size and what was required to make it run smoothly. The best part was that we didn’t have to do anything except play when it was time to rock.

JOSH - It was hot. Very very hot. But there is nothing like performing in front of a crowd of that size, and through a sound system of that caliber. Indescribable.

KATIE: Performing at the Bank of the West Celebrates America concert still feels like a dream. The whole thing felt surreal. It was an experience I will never forget and has only been motivation for us as a band to continue working as hard as we can so we might have more opportunities like that one.

Tell us about the New EP coming out “The Next Train”. What can fans expect?

CHRIS – Fans can expect an evolution. Our first album got our name out there. This next album (EP) will define us. The music is more evolved and we are finally figuring out who we are and who we want to be as an original artist. It’ll hit you hard, and hopefully, make you turn that volume knob to the right.

TIM - To have massive eargasms, obviously. I guess that best way to sum it up is a change in direction and our music starting to develop its own identity & its own sound. I feel that this album is really reflective of our growth as a band, not only musically, but lyrically.

KEITH - “The Next Train” EP will have a much different feel to it when compared to our full-length album, “Scarlett Drive”. “The Next Train” is a much more emotional collection of songs, and almost darker in a way. The first album contained a variety of songs that were based on growing up, falling in love, and simply having fun. While the new EP focuses on grown-up issues, it has a much grittier, hard-rock feel to the instruments and lead vocals. Our sound as a band is much more refined and heart-felt on this album. Listeners will get a sense that Scarlett Drive has done some serious growing up in the past year.

JOSH – (main songwriter for Next Train EP) Fans can expect a ride through my eclectic tastes and interests in music. I have been making an effort to write first, and then assess after. This has allowed me to really put myself into the music instead of being self-conscious about the way it is going to come out. Write it, hear it, then think about it. I believe the music becomes more real this way.

KATIE: Something new and different. I do not know of another band that has incorporated such intense blues and rock inspired music with 3 part harmonies. I think people will be excited to hear something unique- that they might not have heard on the radio before.

What is on your iphone/ipod right now for music?

CHRIS – I just downloaded a few tunes from country group Florida Georgia Line, specifically “Stay” which is an unreal jam. Most of the tunes on my iPhone are used as ideas for incorporating cover songs into our set, so I’m more of a Pandora guy. Some of my favorite Pandora stations, however, include Def Leoppard, Bad Company, Jason Aldean, Huey Lewis, & Restless Heart.

TIM - You name it, its on there. If I hit play right now, there would be anything from Earth Wind and Fire to Black Crowes

KEITH - The American Blues, The Black Crowes LIVE at the Filmore, American Minor, and The Joshua Panda Band.

KATIE: I have very eclectic taste in music - my most recent downloads have been Jason Aldean, Mockingbird Sun, and John Mayer - but there is music from Waylon Jennings to Jason Mraz to Kid Cudi on there.

Have you ever been booed, heckled on stage?

CHRIS – If I have, I never noticed it. Truth be told, I was a bit nervous about playing in Omaha because there was some backlash from the contest with some outspoken individuals thinking a local band deserved to play instead of us. When all was said and done, however, we had the crowd rockin’ and even signed a few autographs after the show.

TIM - Not that I can hear, I suppose that's the beauty of being behind the band drumming!

KEITH – No

KATIE: I do not think I have ever been boo-ed, that might be my worst nightmare though!

What is your pre-game ritual before a show?

CHRIS – I am a “warm-up shot” kind of guy. I warm-up my vocals for approximately 35-40 minutes, then I take a shot. I’ve been warming up to the same vocal exercises now for approximately 5 years, and it definitely helps my confidence and preparation for the show.

TIM - band shots of dr. mcgillicuddy's...best warm up ever.

KEITH - Screaming Nazis.

KATIE: My pre-game ritual? Try to remember to breathe and remain calm. But by the time I am halfway through the first song though, I feel at home on stage.

How has your music changed since you first started recording.

CHRIS – Our music is more “us” now. I know that seems a bit cliché, but the music we record now is more collaborative, and more refined to each members’ strengths as a musician.

KEITH - We’ve all discovered our instruments more and have learned how they work together. I don’t mean that Josh learned how to play guitar and Chris learned how to sing. I mean that we’ve uncovered the ways that our instruments will sound the best when we play them. This means style, tone, and emotion. Now that we are all better at writing and performing, our music is better and more captivating.

KATIE: I joined the band just over a year ago and have seen an immense change in the sound and feeling in our songs. I feel like I have been a part of the "growing up" phase of Scarlett Drive and cannot wait to see the effect this new EP will have on our fans.



Who would you love to play/sing with that is currently dead?

CHRIS – I love me some old 90s country. My first concert ever was at the BOA Pavilion (known as Harborlights back then) to see country group, Blackhawk. Their lead singer/songwriter, Van Wesley Stephenson, died of melanoma in 2001. It was only recently that I learned that he had been a co-writer on some of my favorite Restless Heart tunes.

TIM - Jon Bonham or Freddie Mercury.

KEITH - Stosh Adams. I learned so much about life/music from this kid in the limited time we shared. We rocked a few stages and a lot of basements, all without writing down a setlist.

KATIE: I would have loved to meet and sing with Johnny Cash. He was the man. - LATENIGHT Boston

Ever wonder what your teachers do on their summer vacations? Students at Blackstone Valley Regional High School in Upton, Massachusetts may be surprised to learn that their music teacher, Katie Ruzanski, will be rockin’ the stage at one of the largest, free outdoor concerts in the West.

Ruzanski is a member of Scarlett Drive, the Worcester-based country rock band that won the San Francisco-based Bank of the West Facebook contest edging out hundreds of entries coast to coast in a nationwide band competition. Scarlett Drive will kick off Fourth of July celebrations in Omaha, Nebraska by opening the Bank of the West Celebrates America concert that will feature Huey Lewis and the News. Last year’s concert drew an estimated 65,000 people.

“I think when my students see that I am actually doing what I have always wanted to do, it will add to the meaning of my profession,” said Ruzanski. “As a teacher, I help kids understand that they can follow their dreams and that they are capable of just about anything they put their minds to. Now I can use myself as a real-life example….and my hope is that they can learn from this and see that maybe their dreams can also become a reality!”

Ruzanski’s students will be able to view their teacher’s performance via the Bank of the West YouTube channel youtube.com/BankoftheWest, where it will be posted after the concert. - Reuters

2012 has been a defining year for country rock group Scarlett Drive.

First, they released their self-titled debut to much praise and enthusiasm, ultimately having two of the tracks featured on the television show “90210.” But their biggest break came when they won the coveted opening slot for Huey Lewis & The News at the Bank of the West Celebrates America music festival in Omaha, Nebraska.

“To open for such a popular band in front of that many people at this stage in our career was so hard for us to even quantify,” says singer Katie Ruzanski . “It was a huge break and it gives the band some serious confidence as we continue this journey.”

Too much success too early can sometimes put an unwarranted amount of pressure on a young band, but this group has a professional, centered outlook that has and will continue to serve them well.

“Having received that national exposure and winning such a huge contest did add a little bit of pressure,” admits drummer Tim Baumann. “We have set the bar at such a high level with these accomplishments; we need to continue to push ourselves to get to the next level. The way we look at it, pressure in this capacity is not a bad thing, simply the best motivator we could ask for.”

And with a new 4 song EP coming out soon to cap off their already successful and busy year, Scarlett Drive seems to have all the motivation they need to keep moving onward and upward. - Worcester Pulse

Scarlett Drive takes us on a quick trip through Boston's country music scene with their new single, IF YOU WANNA. If you're like me, you're probably saying to yourself, "Country music from Boston?" But, I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Scarlett Drive delivered a sound that one would assume was straight out of Nashville. A very authentic country rock record, IF YOU WANNA offers amazing songwriting, powerful vocal performances, and the kind of musical composition that is sure to satisfy the ears of anybody looking for a great new song to add to their playlist.

All about living life free of restrictions and enjoying the simple things in life like, having a beer with friends around a campfire and just shooting the breeze, IF YOU WANNA is very relatable and fun to listen to. As with most great country tunes, the song's message and purpose are clearly stated, and it's written in layman's terms so you don't have to try and decipher any "code" like some songs these days. The magic of this single is that it's also very easy to sing along to, which makes this a potential radio hit. Scarlett Drive's musical prowess is on full display too. Every instrument, from the strong rhythm guitar to the top notch drums and bass, this band brought the goods.

Overall, IF YOU WANNA is a very good country music song that will easily fit into any major country radio station's rotation. Great musicians make great music, and that is what Scarlett Drive has done with this song. I'd absolutely recommend this to fans of country music because, there's nothing like a great song and band to get you going when you need it - Shaine Freeman, I Am Entertainment Magazine