Meet the Band: Jesse Catania (drums), Zach Catania (guitar, vocals), Chris Rush (bass), Conor Standish (vocals), and Dave Young (keyboards).
Extra Cheese: The seeds for the Lakewood via Athens, Ohio, quintet were planted when Jesse delivered pizza to Standish at his Ohio University apartment. The rest of the group soon fell together.
Back to School: The band's self-titled 2011 debut was recorded in three days during a break from college. They're now working on a follow-up album. "We want a CD out there that really defines our sound now," says Standish. "We think it has changed a great deal since we started."
Why You Should Hear Them: The band's music epitomizes the carefree vibe of your early twenties. On "See Ya Soon," Standish channels Jason Mraz's wide-eyed optimism, while the band performs a country-cum-blues romp beneath Standish's rising vocals on "Two Guns." But the Burning River Ramblers aren't all easy-breezy: The plaintive "Redwood" was written in memory of a friend who took his life.
Where You Can Hear Them: reverbnation.com/theburningriverramblers
Where You Can See Them: At the Beachland Tavern on August 31, headlining LoveMuffinPalooza 2012. — Jeremy Willets
