Biography
"Deeply soulful and sincere, while still managing to rock. The Confessional makes me want to confess my darkest sins....and then commit them again..." -- Johanna Gohmann, Writer and Editor, MUZE Inc. New York City
All true stories! It’s a headline you’d expect to see on some trashy tabloid but yeah it’s a fact – all of the songs this Kentucky rock/grunge indie band does are based on a true story. Even the tales they tell between songs are bona fide. Ask drummer Jyn Yates and lead vocalist/guitarist Ashley Burchett about the time they saw the Grim Reaper headed toward them on a steamy May afternoon. With the addition of bassist Carla Wright and horn player Melanie Dillman, no angel of death could stop them from blasting their way into your consciousness. With raw Janis Joplin-like vocals, Pink Floyd creativity and the driving rhythms of classic rock a la Zeppelin and GNR, this band is no wimpy band.
Sharing songwriting duties they offer straight-ahead confessionals like “Alone,” a cut that could have come from an early Melissa Etheridge album, raw and earthy, centered on a rhythmic acoustic guitar. In contrast is the distinctive instrumental “Maney’s Song,” with Burchett’s innovative guitar leading the way like a soulful Duanne Eddy, with Jyn Yates laying a steady groove behind it.
“Chrysalis” is an instrumental that cranks up quickly with a myriad of guitar textures, from screaming distortion to a cleaner pensive sound. Strings weave in and out with a drum part that’s more than your usual two-four back beat. In the middle of this organized chaos is a theramin solo – that crazy ooooh sound you hear in old science fiction movies. This wild car chase of a song builds to an extended frenzy then winds down just as fast as it started. Catch your breath and hit replay.
“Gemini” begins like intimate singer-songwriter fare that looks back on a failed relationship where you want to go back and really say what you want to say. It’s got a laid back vibe with acoustic guitar until an electric slices in. And like a rerun, it lives there until the end, “Now I’m in your head.” It’s the ultimate revenge. Never piss off a songwriter.
The band has transformed into many different layers for the past few years. The group has performed all around Kentucky, including several stints at Headliners, the same place that’s hosted artists as varied as Radio Head to Parliament. In their short time together they’ve played many gigs, sharing the stage with everyone from Tiffany, to K's Choice lead singer Sarah Bettens, to singer-songwriter Jenn Foster, to banjo player Steve Cooley as well as snake charmers, fire spinners, roller derby girls and acrobats. The Grim Reaper hasn’t been available.
They all come from musical families -- front porch pickers, established bands and rock/country singers. Their inspiration ranges from everything as vast as Tool to Dolly Parton to The Beatles.
Jyn Yates first sat behind a set of drums at the tender age of three and made her stage debut at thirteen, opening for Tim McGraw and the Kentucky Headhunters. With a huge musical family including a grandma who played the banjo, dulcimer and more, music was a likely choice. The Clash and Red Hot Chili Peppers probably wasn’t what they had in mind but that’s what led Jyn to where she is today. Along the way she played drums for members of Steve Wariner’s band, for many other bands and as a studio musician on countless projects. When she’s not touring she teaches students every week at Mom’s Music in Louisville. Jyn also plays clarinet, saxophone, marimba, and all percussion instruments.
Ashley Burchett had an uncle who would strum country tunes on his guitar. She begged him to teach her and instead he showed up one day and casually dropped off a Mel Bay song book with instructions to teach herself. Many kids would have given up but Ashley locked herself in her room and plowed through the book, eventually steeping herself in the work of Guns n’ Roses, Pink Floyd and just about anything with a guitar. After playing music while in college, she headed to Louisville where she met Jyn. Ash is also responsible for The Confessional’s edgy vocals. She plays piano too and lists Slash, Tori Amos and Lindsey Buckingham as influences.
With the addition of CPA turned bassist, Carla Wright, and long-time horn player Melanie Dillman, the group has the total package to offer, the heart and soul of rock and roll.
Whether you’re the Grim Reaper or just look good in black you’ll love their straight-ahead stories, innovative instrumentals, tough guitars and gritty but melodic vocals.
"Picture Janis Joplin jammin' with John Bonham in heaven, reinvented. Their songs are melodic, yet absolutely rockin', mixed with thought-provoking lyrics about real life, love and loss. See this band." -- Leigh Ann Yost, Recording Artist
Instrumentation
Ashley Burchett - Lead vocals, guitar
Jyn Yates - Drums, Percussion
Carla Wright - Bass, vocals
Melanie Dillman -- Horns, vocals
Nick Peay - Guitar, vocals
Discography
The Confessional is set to release their debut album, Now I'm In Your Head, in the summer of 2009.
Singles from the album are currently streaming online.
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/confessionalmusic |
| The Confessional Official Music Site! |