The Storrow Band

After less than a year, The Storrow Band is already gathering momentum due to powerful, jam-based live concerts and an innovative mix of acoustic rock, blues, and pop styles. While in the process of finishing college last year, the San Diego based band traveled throughout California and Arizona on weekends, played over 70 live shows, and released their debut album in May 2005. The band will follow the release of their album with a west coast tour this fall.

Martin Storrow and Jeff Riddle were on two different paths when they met. Martin was a junior in college pursuing a solo career in music, and Jeff was captain of the UC San Diego baseball team, heading toward a career in professional baseball. The two connected over their passion for music, and when Jeff suffered an injury that took him off the field, he offered to produce Martin’s solo album. Martin approached Ian Mac Manus, a childhood friend, to play bass on the album. The three also began playing together at Martin’s live shows around San Diego. “The thing I believe amazed all of us the most was how quickly we melded as a group,” Martin says. “I’d known both Jeff and Ian separately for years, but we hadn’t all been in the same room until the first time we played music together, and from that moment everything just fit.” The solo project soon became a band, and word of the group’s energetic live shows began to spread. The Storrow Band was soon receiving offers to play colleges all over California and out of state. “It was hectic sometimes,” Martin explains, “We would drive out to Tucson on a Thursday and play five or six shows in a weekend, and get back just in time to take a midterm that Monday. Sometimes we cut it close.” By the time the trio graduated from college in June, they had released a full-length album, played over 50 shows throughout California, and had a rapidly growing following both locally and regionally.

The Storrow Band is currently preparing for a steady touring schedule beginning in September 2005. “We’re spending the summer in San Diego- practicing, planning, and getting ready for adventure,” Martin explains. The band already has a heavy schedule lined up for fall 2005 and is constantly writing and performing, often packing local venues to capacity. “Our strongest point is our live show. We’re getting a lot of positive feedback on the album, but onstage we have an even greater opportunity to bring those songs to life, and we take advantage of that every time we play.”

A major priority for The Storrow Band is building lasting relationships with fans. “One of our favorite parts of this whole experience is the opportunity to connect with people, and that doesn’t stop at our music. We love meeting the people who are at our shows and learning what they’re all about,” Martin says. “Often that’s what inspires us more than anything else.” The band is relying on word of mouth and grassroots promotion to build a following. “Our ‘big break’ is when a new fan leaves a show energized, thinking ‘that was an experience’. That’s how we hope to be discovered- one person at a time.”