the aUdience (FL)
"
you are the artist...we are the_aUdience
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
While in the band Hybreed, Joe Duncan (bass) and Keli Swearingen (drums) never bought into the idea of being set apart as performers. They identified with the audience and set out to write solid rock grooves that the audience could in turn identify with.
After Hybreed disbanded, Keli and Joe went their separate ways. Then in the summer of 2004, with Joe's time in local band Red Light Tower ending and Keli returning from a two-year adventure in New Orleans, they once again joined as collaborative writers in Tallahassee.
Searching for another acoustical layer, Keli contacted Jeremy Ferris (guitar), formerly of the band Better Life. His musical depth and songwriting ability would contribute to the band's developing hard rock sound.
In seeking a singer, the group turned to the only place raw talent can be found-- karaoke. When Brandy Marder took the stage, the band knew that her strong voice and outgoing personality would make them complete.
After a month of venting and writing in an aluminum shed, the_aUdience performed together for the first time at Late Night Library's Battle of the Bands in November 2004.
Since then, they have played nearly every major music venue in Tallahassee, and the audience continues to grow...
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We have played several shows in Tallahassee. We love the Beta Bar because it's a good-sized space, Will (the sound guy) makes sure we sound great, and the owners are really cool guys who care about keeping the music industry real. We've also become almost like the house band at a bar called Down Below. It's a really small, laid-back place. Down Below is cozy and intimate, and it's where we can get up close and personal with our fans.
There was a special night at Down Below when we played two sets... After our first set (originals) the crowd started chanting, "No break! No break!" Then when the second set (covers) was over, the crowd chanted "One more song! One more song!" But we had already played every song we knew!
Your musical influences
*Brandy Marder* (the singer) is entirely self-trained. She loves pop music (especially from the 80s) and is influenced most by Debbie Harry and Gwen Stefani. Brandy has been writing her own lyrics for many years, but until now had not found the right music to complement her creativity. Did we mention that we first heard her singing in a karaoke bar? She happily ditched the band-in-a-can to strut her stuff in front of some real live rockers.
*Jeremy Ferris* (the guitarist) is classically trained. He likes a variety of music, from Sevendust and Tool to the bluegrass bands on PBS. Jeremy is a prolific songwriter who also enjoys singing, and he's always got a hook when we need one.
*Joe Duncan* (the bassist) used to be a drummer, before fortune intervened. He then became a bass player with a flair for funk and jazzy moving bass lines. Joe is heavily influenced by Flea and Jaco Pastorius. We like to call him Stompin' Joe-- if you see us live, you'll know why.
*Keli Swearingen* (the drummer) calls Danny Carey of Tool her Yoda, but she's also a fan of Matt Chamberlain (Soundgarden, Tori Amos), Buddy Rich, and 2Pac. She has played in concert bands, marching bands, and jazz bands, but she's a rocker at heart. Yes, a girl drummer.
Anything else?
you're our whoo!!
