Music
Press
"The Raven Society is the main reason I went to this show, they were incredible... actually beat my expectations and they were high. I cant wait till the CD comes out later this summer." (April 2005) - fan review
“The drummers no nonsense approach was nice, nice, nice. She hits her kit as if she’s intending to beat them into the ground. As a matter of fact the rhythm section of this band does not f*&# around. They were tied together perfectly and I would NOT mess with these two ladies they were all business up there. Justin’s guitar playing was of course fantastic. His lead playing was extremely powerful and sometimes spastic (in a good way) and the girls laid a real nice groove for him to flow in and out of during his solos. I enjoyed their set a lot and look forward to hearing more. The last song blew me away." (April 2005) - wnymusic.com
It's impressive enough when a band who's been at it for a while can pull together a national tour. So it's even more impressive when a band that has only been together for a few months can do it. Enter The Raven Society, who managed to book a cross country string of dates despite their brand new status. Formed earlier this year, the winning rhythm section from the late indie outfit The Wintersleepers hooked up with notable guitarist/psychedelic songwriter Justin Guerin and it was clearly a match meant to be. The trio is currently one of the Queen City's most touted bands drawing on heavy psych, prog and driving rock. -M. Norris (July 2005) - Artvoice
This Buffalo-based trio hit the ground running, playing shows just a few months after forming last February and releasing an EP, Open Letters to No One (Helioperos), earlier this month. Their deft and sinuous heavy prog lurks in the depths of Bardo Pond's pool but occasionally sounds as if it's being tempted out and down the primrose path of the, er, space jazz odyssey. --Monica Kendrick - Chicago Reader
"More proof that a Y chromosome is pretty close to useless, Liz Holland throws down heavy grooves that even the big boys could have trouble lifting. The New York-native started making music by tickling the ivories, but at ten years old, she switched to beating skins. Seventeen years and some serious woodshedding later, she can embarass you if you're asking for it. Holland cites Buddy Rich as a major influence (and even swings his signature sticks), but she channels John Bonham on Open Letters To No One, the debut disc from her moody and delicious trio, The Raven Society. Stand-out drum tracks include "Be Done Already," which pumps along with loud, open hats, a cranked snare, and a thick bass drum. Holland makes it sound easy, though, as she drives the band through subtle odd-time changes and clever hooks." (December 2005) - Drum! Magazine
Discography
Open Letters to No One (Helioperos, 2005)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
October 2005 - XM Radio Featured Artist (channel 52)
November 2005 - WEDG Interactive 8@8 DJ's Choice
The Raven Society was formed from the ashes of touring indie band, The Wintersleepers, and heavy rock Buffalo locals, Dai Atlas. The result is a powerful psychadelic and progressive trio with undertones of jazz and middle eastern flavors. Comparisons have been made to Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, The Mars Volta, Jeff Buckley, Stone Temple Pilots, Chris Cornell and Lenny Kravitz - none of which the group is ashamed to admit.
Just 5 months into the lifespan of the group, The Raven Society wasted no time getting an EP out and embarking on a 2 week almost-nationwide tour. The group has also formed a new collective of recording and music publishing called Helioperos. With the assistance of Buffalo audio-guru Fred Betschen, the group self-recorded and released "Open Letters to No One" under the Helioperos name.
With such a huge buzz in such a little amount of time, what else could the group do but enter a hiatus? Re-emerging in April of 2006 after fan demand, the group plans once again to conquer the road this summer.
Links
