Builder of the House
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Builder of the House

Portland, ME | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | INDIE

Portland, ME | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2011
Duo Pop Folk

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Music

Press


"Builder of the House shares new single “There Is No Hourglass, Only Sand” via lyric video — watch"

Nearly 600 still images were used in all (for the stop-motion music video), and when played back at 3.17 frames per second, they create a undeniably charming and laudably complicated clip. - Pat Levy - Consequence of Sound


"PREMIER: Builder of the House - "A Plot in Falmouth" Video"

Today we have a special treat from Portand, Maine indie-folk group Builder Of The House. It’s the project of Robert Cimitile and Elliot Heeschen, who recently released their new EP Hourglass, their first release on Louisville record label, sonaBlast! Records.

Builder of the House have a brand new music video for “A Plot In Falmouth,” and they have given us the honor of premiering it to the world. It’s a smokey and mysterious track and its video features an all too perfect short film, that gets tied into footage of the band playing along. The video was directed by Derek R. Brigham, Rob Cimitile, and Will Porensky. - Will Oliver - We All Want Someone to Shout For


"Review: Builder of the House, “Hourglass” (indie folk, Portland)"

Intelligent, well-played, often irresistibly catchy indie folk, concealing a philosophical and spiritual moodiness and a certain dark narrative, like Jack Johnson and Sufjan Stevens were shut in a room together and told to write a song.

It’s nice to hear traditional storytelling in a song from a local songwriter; Cimitile knows how to weave a compelling lyrical and musical tale.

Heeschen's elegant percussion work is perfectly complimentary to Cimitile's playing; you can tell the two musicians have spent a lot of time working out a careful dynamic, each one holding back when the other moves ahead, building a uniquely eloquent sound and story. - Emily Burnham - Bangor Daily News


"BUILDER OF THE HOUSE CD RELEASE SHOW AND ARC IRIS RESIDENCY SERIES"

“This is the End of Our Correspondence” is a gorgeous song

The EP “Hourglass”.....houses four carefully crafted songs that scratch well beneath the surface of human emotions. - Aimsel Ponti - Maine Today


"Builder of the House - I am a Tidal Wave"

"This Portland, Maine (artist) delicately blend elements of folk, bluegrass, and Americana into a pleasingly fragile, jaunty, and harmonic whole, with the snappy tempos and jubilant beats creating a happy vibe that’s rousing and endearing in equal measure. Moreover, there’s a sweet and upbeat quality to this music that’s impossible to either dislike or resist." - Jersey beat


"Builder of the House - I am a Tidal Wave"

"This Portland, Maine (artist) delicately blend elements of folk, bluegrass, and Americana into a pleasingly fragile, jaunty, and harmonic whole, with the snappy tempos and jubilant beats creating a happy vibe that’s rousing and endearing in equal measure. Moreover, there’s a sweet and upbeat quality to this music that’s impossible to either dislike or resist." - Jersey beat


"Making Noise: Builder of the House inspired by spiritual construction"

By Aimsel Ponti

This interview can be read in full at the URL - Portland Press Herald


"Going Cold Turkey with The Builder of the House"

By Wil Whalen

This interview can be read in full at the URL - WCSH in Portland and DangerWilRobinson


"Going Cold Turkey with The Builder of the House"

By Wil Whalen

This interview can be read in full at the URL - WCSH in Portland and DangerWilRobinson


"CD review: 'Tidal Wave' marries carefree spirit with meaningful lyrics"

By Kristin DiCara-McClellan

"With some musical comparisons to Jack Johnson and Elliott Smith, Cimitile has that whispery-thin, "maybe I care, maybe I don't" style of singing that has become really popular in recent years. The difference here is that Cimitile's lyrics are so meaningful and deep that the contradiction of a carefree spirit within the music composition makes for an interesting ride." - Portland Press Herald


"SoundClouder of the Day - Builder of the House"

A project called Builder of the House, headed by guitarist/singer Rob Cimitile, is our SoundClouder of the Day today (March 22, 2012). Based in Portland, Maine, they like to blend a mix of bluegrass, folk, and Americana music with a little kick! Check ‘em out! - SoundCloud


"The soothing sounds of I am a Tidal Wave"

By Sam Pfeifle

....the six-song EP is a fairly restrained affair, full of breathy vocals and acoustic guitar and hummed backing vocals. There's very little bravado here at all, actually, and Rob Cimitile, the principal songwriter who started out as something of a one-man band before adding Elliot Heeschen (percussion) and Peter Himmer (bass, keys, etc.) for live performances, comes off as a modern-day bard more than anything else.

He's got this smirk in his voice, a subtle and knowing wink, that makes all of his playful and upbeat songs at least one level more interesting. - The Boston/Portland Phoenix


"The soothing sounds of I am a Tidal Wave"

By Sam Pfeifle

....the six-song EP is a fairly restrained affair, full of breathy vocals and acoustic guitar and hummed backing vocals. There's very little bravado here at all, actually, and Rob Cimitile, the principal songwriter who started out as something of a one-man band before adding Elliot Heeschen (percussion) and Peter Himmer (bass, keys, etc.) for live performances, comes off as a modern-day bard more than anything else.

He's got this smirk in his voice, a subtle and knowing wink, that makes all of his playful and upbeat songs at least one level more interesting. - The Boston/Portland Phoenix


"Facebook Music Promo Tip: Bring Social Media Marketing Into the Real World"

By Chris Robley

So, here’s what I think is brilliant about this whole thing, if it isn’t obvious already: Builder of the House brings their Facebook marketing into the real world in a relatively non-obtrusive way, silently broadcasts their band name to the entire crowd for the duration of the evening, and adds the extra human touch– a guy coming around introducing the band to each person at the show, inviting them to like ‘em on Facebook, and rewarding those who do with a free MP3.

Best of all, because I was given the details in-person during the opening band’s set, I had the rest of the night to get my smartphone out and press that one little button. With 2 more bands left to perform, set breaks, lulls in conversation, and lines at the bar– I definitely had a few empty moments to fill with a smartphone.

Builder of the House’s MP3-giveaway strategy didn’t just require planning on the front-end. The band had to then go to their Facebook Page’s admin panel the next day and personally contact every person who liked them during the show in order to get them the MP3. So if you plan on putting this kind of thing into practice, be sure to follow through– and in the promised timeframe. Builder of the House did, and I had a free track from them within 24 hours! - The DIY Musician - CD Baby


"Builder Of The House - I Am A Tidal Wave (Independently released CD EP, Soft pensive pop)"

Builder Of The House is the one man band created by Rob Cimitile along with a few friends offering support. I Am A Tidal Wave differs from the average twenty-first century solo project in that Rob's tunes are threaded with elements normally associated with folk and bluegrass. But the six songs on this EP are mainly pop songs...yet they have different intoxicating flavors. To our ears, these tracks sound something like a cross between Elliott Smith and Ray Davies (more the former than the latter). Rob writes great memorable tunes with super smart lyrics...and he has a nifty voice that is instantly warm and appealing. We particularly love the band name and web site. This guy's going to develop a sizable following fast... - babysue


"Builder Of The House – I Am A Tidal Wave Review"

“Fire Dawn Breaking” is probably my favorite due to how far out Cimitile lets himself go. With guitar, bass, electronic bells and multiple tracks of affected vocals, the tune builds a dense atmosphere to get lost in. “Schizophilia” closes things out on a much lighter note, filled to the brim with harmonies and held down by finger snaps and ukulele." - Dispatch Magazine


"Growing Pains"

"On I Am a Tidal Wave, Cimitile employs a host of local musicians, and impressively navigates many avenues in the folk neighborhood, from upbeat bluegrass to Jack Johnson-y melodrama, though at his most compelling, his songs fall adhere to patient, plaintive, wistful arrangements which recall the finer moments of Nick Drake, only less dead." - The Portland Phoenix


"Maine bands open 2012 with new albums"

"The soft, instantly-palatable folk instrumentation is perfectly accompanied by Cimitile’s warm, whispery voice." "The first track, “Niktricity,” has nearly the same vibe as Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche’s score of the 2007 film “Dan In Real Life.” The movie chronicles a family vacation at a cabin surrounded by woodsy views and loved ones, so that comparison is desirable." "The title track sounds like the type of music Jack Johnson would have made had he been from the South instead of constantly trying to catch the next big wave in Hawaii. The jaunty tune shares much of the whimsy prevalent in Johnson’s material, but the “lalala” chorus adds a slight sense of melancholy before picking the happy right back up. The contrast adds a nice dynamic, giving the song more dimensions and thus making it more enduring." - The Maine Campus


"Builder of the House Releases New Stop-Motion Video and It's Awesome"

Derek R. Brigham of Through the Door Productions lent his talents to cutting out lyrics while Cimitile and Heeschen together cut out every single visual you see themselves with just a plain old pair of scissors and some construction paper.

In a world where video effects are typically computer generated, this ‘throwback’ style of practical effects (though incredibly time consuming) emphasizes the fun and charming vibe of the new single from their latest album, Hourglass and definitely stands out. - Anna Gravél - 9.49 WHOM


Discography

Hourglass - 2015 - sonaBLAST! Records


I am a Tidal Wave - 2012

Photos

Bio

Utilizing various strains of folk music Builder of the House welcome their listeners in from the cold digital world to enjoy a warm potpourri of all-embracing indie pop.​

In 2011 Rob Cimitile moved to Portland, reignited a relationship with his Martin guitar and began experimenting with his baritone voice which he left dormant for over three years, dismissing it when it failed to complement the grunge music he loved as a teen. But now, after soaking in some serious life experience and obtaining a Master’s degree in music composition, its warm tone felt just right when applied to a more diverse musical palate.​

A year later Cimitile was releasing Builder of the House’s debut EP I Am a Tidal Wave and pushing forward as a solo act until a chance meeting with Elliot Heeschen. They had both joined a Zimbabwean marimba band and seemed to trust each other’s sensibilities implicitly from the get go. Heeschen began holding down the drums and percussive elements for Cimitile while the strong world music vibes they initially bonded over found their way into their music.​

Now functioning as a full-fledged collaboration, the band’s live act began to pick up steam with opening slots for Pearl and the Beard & Dylan Leblanc as they toured the Northeast while buzz from their second EP, 2015’s Hourglass (sonaBLAST! Records), resulted in features on Reverbnation, SoundCloud(er) of the day and CD Baby’s DIY Musician blog. Around this time Cimitile discovered a passion for adding visuals to the music of Builder of the House, something that has become a trademark of their evolving aesthetic. Their music videos have gone on to be written about by the likes of Paste Magazine, Consequence of Sound, and We All Want Someone to Shout For. Their music videos have also been venerated on the international festival circuit with several nominations and 1st place honors for Best Music Video at MOVE Music Festival and Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema.​

The band recently headed to Acadia Recording Company to work with engineer Todd Hutchisen on their first full length album, Ornaments. The detailed arrangements and production nuances were overseen by Cimitile who is prone to sweat the details in every aspect of the release. Ornaments already has a stellar music video to complement its release in “Look at the Man” which draws attention to gender identity issues while conjuring up the kindred vibes of Feist, Timber Timbre, Lumineers & Fleet Foxes.

Band Members