downRising is a hip-hop rock band out of Los Angeles, CA. They continuously build upon their influences and past experiences to make the music that they do today.

Matt Bieler, one of downRising’s MCs, has this to say about the band: “To me there is no better live medium than rock music. Plus, the influence of hip-hop music and lyrics on today’s popular culture is undeniable. As long as crowds continue to have a great time, we’re happy and we will continue to do what it is we do to the best of our collective abilities.”

The foundation for the band began with Matt Bieler, Chris Newlin and Dane Leon. Things began to move along when MC and front man J.Ozonous joined forces with the three, followed shortly by bassist Will Birckhead and drummer Mark Baker, both were session players who moved from Baltimore to Los Angeles. In 2004 things started to take shape for the band when the group added keyboardist and hip-hop producer Habit, who had just recently produced a track on the new KRS-ONE album.

The band is detail oriented with regard to its music and marketing plans. Guitarists Chris Newlin and Dane Leon have both studied music at California State University, Northridge. Matt Bieler has a degree in film and cinematography from Long Beach State University and Habit has a degree in Graphic Design and Marketing from California State University, San Bernardino. The band members themselves design all of downRising’s logos, t-shirts and flyers.

Guitarist Dane Leon says, “Fundamentally, the band is influenced by rock as well as hip-hop. Strong influences come from bands such as The Roots and Incubus. Honestly, our influences come from everywhere; we are as influenced by Pink Floyd as we are by a Tribe Called Quest. We just love music and when we are motivated by something, we run with it.”

downRising’s calendar includes shows at House of Blues Sunset, the Key Club, the Roxy, the Whisky, the Viper Room, the Knitting Factory, Hard Rock Café Universal City, The Dragonfly, the Glass House, 14 Below, as well as local colleges including California Polytechnic State University, Pomona and California State University, Northridge. They have won numerous “battles of the bands” competitions and are currently in the studio cutting an album.

Front man/MC J. Ozonous has this to offer about their time in the studio and lyrical content: “Our main goal in the studio is to try to capture live energy and sound. The lyric content of the band has always been based on personal life experiences ––what we each see and hear; whether it’s relationship problems or a bad day at work, it’s all on the album. It’s therapy to us. Matt and I need to get it all off our chests, and crowds seem to connect with that kind of honesty.”