Music Notes

An eclectic new sound is about to hit the streets of Milledgeville. Ben Rasmussen, Daniel Seibel, Chris Avirett, Noah Fouts and Paul Bryant make up the new band kaleo, meaning “the called.”

I went to one of their practices and was blown away by their talent. They were incredible and after each song ended, I wanted more. Their sound is unique and each instrument adds a different flavor to spice it up. They include a saxophone, which is a rare instrument for a rock band.

Seibel plays the saxophone and is a sophomore political science major at GC&SU.

“We try to pinpoint our sound and we don’t even know who we sound like, ’cause no one does this. It’s kind of like Dave Matthew’s ’cause we have a saxophone, but not really because we shred and we rock and we can chill,” explains Seibel. “So we have so many different faces, but the same core.”

Listening to their songs at practice, I heard a variety of styles throughout each song. Their music sounds complex and carefully thought out, but has a casual and comfortable nature.

Another unique aspect of the music is the lead singer’s voice. Avirett plays lead guitar and sings lead vocals. His voice is deep and rough which makes the music edgy.

Avirett is the informal leader of the group and said he hopes to bring together different crowds. He says that much of their music is Christian, but their band does not want to be labeled as Christian music.

“Although we are Christians, we still live lives and the only difference between us and someone who may not be a Christian is that we have help and we recognize that help and we want to thank that help through the talents that He’s given us- that help being God,” Avirett said.

Avirett, Seibel and Rasmussen write most of the lyrics, while the music is mostly written collectively in jam sessions. Each one of the musicians comes from totally different backgrounds ranging from Jazz to a Pantera cover band. Seibel says that when they come together to write, it just blows up. They practice twice a week and are preparing for Battle of the Bands.

“We are going to win Battle of the Bands,” said drummer Fouts. “I really do think we have the most talent out of any band around here and our music’s something new, a little different, a lot of blend. We have a lot of good stuff that a lot of people enjoy; it’s just kind of putting it together.”

Rasmussen plays electric guitar for the group and said that musically, things come together pretty well. However, the band members admit that it can be tough to get everyone together to practice every week.

“The biggest challenge is it’s so much work between school and whatever you’ve got going on and then coming here, but this is where I come to relax,” Rasmussen said.

The guys enjoy jamming together and their energy explodes off the stage. Avirett can’t stand still and Fouts can’t play anything without making intense facial expressions. Although their schedules can get busy with work and school, kaleo has made band practice a priority.

“Everybody’s pretty committed to it- you do what you can to help the band. I don’t think anybody’s here to just do it and leave,” said Bryant, the bassist.

Look for kaleo downtown later March, and around campus for Fools Day Out. You won’t be disappointed.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 24 2006. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry