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Perhaps it's ironically fitting that the nation's capital, where divisions often rage, has given birth to a musical act that promises to cross more than a few boundaries. Grounded by smart lyrics and creative instrumentation, Washington, DC-based sextet House of EchO, offers its listeners a mash-up of rock, funk, and soul. By melding rock guitar with funky drums and bass and gospel-inflected keys, what began as one man's solo project has emerged as an engaging musical hybrid.
The selections off the band's demo offer plenty of sonic punch. Singer-songwriter David Tauler (aka EchO) sounds like a cross between Dave Matthews and Toby Mac – gritty, yet soulful with a spiritual bent. First single "Can You See Me" ponders why the object of Tauler's affection ("a shooting star that shoots the other way") is blind to his devotion. Best of all, however, is the bittersweet good-bye "Fly Away". ("This is your time to be a star/I want to hold you tight/But I can't hold back the night," Tauler confesses in the chorus.) As the guitar solo crescendos into the heavens, you might find your own admiration for this up-and-coming band taking flight.
Find House of EchO at:
http://www.houseofecho.com or http://www.myspace.com/houseofecho - MusicFreedom.com
Washington, DC (May 5, 2008), House of Echo, a Soul infused Rock band has been awarded the 2007 Lennon Award in the R&B category, for its song, “Maybe It’s Love.”. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is the most prestigious of its kind in the music industry, currently celebrating its tenth anniversary of providing opportunities for amateur and professional songwriters.
The song “Maybe it’s Love,” is now eligible for the “Maxell Song of the Year” to be determined by an Executive Committee representing all musical genres, which includes such legendary talents as Carlos Santana, Tim McGraw, Robert Smith, Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Carole Bayer Sager, Enrique Iglesias, Wyclef Jean, Amy Grant, BeBe Winans, Pat Metheny, and many more.
House of Echo is a rock band that has crafted a sound by fusing Rock and Soul music. The band has drawn comparisons to super-groups like Maroon 5, Dave Mathews Band, Sting and Mint Condition. The band comprised of 4 members, is the brainchild of DC. Native and University of Maryland graduate, David Tauler, (aka EchO), a singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist. The rest of the band is comprised of Paul Eldridge- Lead guitar, Alphonso Chapman (aka Fonz)- Drums and keyboards and Teo Lee- Bass guitar.
Music Freedom, an online trade magazine discovered House of Echo on the web and reviewed their work. The following excerpt ran on the front page of the publication's website in 2007:
"Perhaps it's ironically fitting that the nation's capital, where divisions often rage, has given birth to a musical act that promises to cross more than a few boundaries. Grounded by smart lyrics and creative instrumentation, Washington, DC-based House of EchO, offers its listeners a mash-up of rock, funk, and soul. By melding rock guitar with funky drums and bass and gospel-inflected keys, what began as one man's solo project has emerged as an engaging musical hybrid." ---Music Freedom (www.musicfreedom.com)
House of Echo is in the studio finishing their debut album set for release in the fall of 2008, preparing for a live DVD, and are the subjects of a documentary being filmed by MHZ Entertainment. Samples of the material and a live television performance can be seen and heard at www.houseofecho.com.
For more information about House of Echo contact: Evan Stent at 917.519.1690 (email at evan.stent@meltingearth.com. For more information about the John Lennon Songwriting Contest go to www.jlsc.com). (END)
- J.L.C.S.
Discography
2005 "Dreamworld" EP realeased regionally and recieved local airplay
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Bio
In 2007 after 3 years of living in the shadows, Inde-rock band, House of Echo affectionately known by at least 10 people at the time, began to outgrow its loyal following on the Internet.
House OF Echo draws comparisons to super-groups like Maroon 5, Dave Mathews Band, Sting and The Police. The band comprised of 5 characters, is the brainchild of David Tauler, aka EchO, a distant but slightly cooler relative of Napolian Dynamite. Tauler, a singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, and YOYO enthusiast initially set out to record a solo project and built a colorful rock band along the way.
House of Echo endeavors to populate the playlist's of the cool and un-cool people worldwide, one Mp3 player at a time. The band is set to release their debut CD in 08', 4 years after Dave's first demo, "Echo Dreamworld" hit the streets and attracted the band members on the strength of the material.
THE SOUNDTRACK OF DAVID TAULER’S (A.K.A. ECHO) life began in a predominately black church, when at 15 years of age this colorblind white kid walked up the street to the closest church in his neighborhood and became a member. He found God and discovered a passion for soul music while grooving hard to the choir’s band each Sunday morning. Prior to his conversion, EchO was a skateboarding enthusiast with a CD player full of rock music. EchO was making a name for himself as the first-chair saxophonist in the high-school symphony when he got his first calling at age 16 and was asked to lead his own 30-part concert series at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He knew that music would be a permanent part of his future when he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Maryland where he studied composition, discovered jazz, Latin music and was well on his way to playing and mastering 15 instruments.
In 2002 EchO’s star was rising when he changed directions and answered a second calling. He found his voice as a singersongwriter and recorded his first demo: EchO Dreamworld, which debuted as a semi-finalist in the Unisong International Songwriting Contest. The band House of Echo came to life when the demo attracted bassist Teo Lee whose first band as a teen was called 20th-Century Funk. Lee and EchO searched to find Washington, DC musicians who understood rock and soul. They discovered guitar wizard Paul Eldridge over Craig’s List only 10 minutes after Eldridge placed the ad. Finally drummer Alfonso “The Fonz” Chapman, a national finalist in the Guitar Center Drum-Off jumped on board. This culminated one man’s solo project into the shared vision of a complete band.
In the footsteps of Prince and The Police, House of Echo set out to create a new-generation rock band that grooves with soul. The group succeeded with surgical precision resulting in a powerful sonic blend they describe as “rock meets soul.” Armed with this hybrid sound, House of Echo entered an international battle of the bands, competing against a field of 3,000. When the smoke cleared, they had placed in the top 30 overall, taking first place among DC-area bands. With this new momentum, the hard-working band entered the studio to record their first single Can You See Me?
It was not long before they gained the attention of record labels and industry insiders on the east and west coasts.
A buzz is growing swiftly about the band’s highpowered live performances; passion is clearly evident as they introduce original music to growing audiences. If House of Echo is DC’s best-kept secret it will not be for long. –MEPG
Visit us online at: www.myspace.com/houseofecho
Also, ...hear up to the minute new DEMOS here: www.myspace.com/houseofechodemos
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