Noise & Rhythm

So, what exactly is Noise & Rhythm? There was a sort of set band for a while, with Ryan Schumann and Mike Schallau writing songs and playing guitars and other instruments, and Pat Atkins playing drums. Well, Mike went out to Chicago, Pat went out to San Francisco, and Ryan is now in the New York area. Those are about the three furthest away places from each other that one could possibly be in the United States, so the band has become much looser: Ryan generally writes the songs and plays many of the instruments, with a revolving door of other musicians coming in and helping (Ben Brennan of Borg Borgman and the Straight Up Alchemists frequently plays the trumpet). Ryan is the primary voice behind this at the moment, but really would rather it turn into something other than just himself.

Now, there is a new band being launched, with the drumming of J.D. Fetcho, the bass playing of Tony Mastrioanni, the crazy guitar skills of Zach Fischer, and the seductive violining of Ethan Joseph (as well as dummy bones Ryan). We'll be preparing to play live shows in New York City (and wherever else) very soon, so keep in touch.

The new album that just came out is hopefully a culmination of the non-professional albums that have come out beforehand. It attempts to combine catchy, poppy stuff with more complex song structures, musicality and instrumentation. We are currently working on a six song E.P. that aims to be out in August.

Some bands I'll throw in there that have influenced me (Ryan) greatly: The Kinks, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Dirty Projectors, The Beatles, Animal Collective.