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Philosopher's Stone
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Usually, to get more than 20 or 30 people out to a show, a band needs a little time to grow into the scene. Play at least a few shows and work the promotional and networking end of the spectrum as much as possible and, if you're good, the audience will likely bulk up accordingly.
Build it, and they will come.
But Philosopher's Stone, an AltPop trio led by singer/songwriter Brad Denham made a pre-emptive strike. Thanks to band members ceaselessly spreading the word, the group's first show (at Newport's York Street Café on St. Patrick's Day this year) was packed to near capacity.
"We all have many friends and supporters who enjoy our music and the vibe we create," says Denham, who is joined in the band by drummer Joe Alig and bassist Chris Laile. "We do promote very much however, our focus is not just on promoting an upcoming show. We are promoting an idea, a feeling, a vibe, a scene. We enjoy meeting new people and making new friends -- you can never have too many -- so we tell everyone, everywhere we go. Hell, this is Cincinnati -- everybody knows just about everyone in some way by some connection through some friend. It is a circle."
Just prior to forming the Stone, Denham was between bands and, while waiting for the right musicians to come along, decided to give being a solo act a try. With studio musicians, he recorded what would become a two-song CD single featuring the wistful, subtle and highly melodic tracks "Soliloquy" and "Fig Leaf," credited to Philosopher's Stone (though Denham says it doesn't exactly reflect the band's current, more fleshed out sound). While recording, Denham met Alig, who was the cousin of the studio owner. Laile rounded out the line-up when Denham placed an ad in CityBeat looking for a bass player.
Denham says he has been developing his songwriting style over many years. While in fifth grade, he took on the trumpet and guitar. Denham also had a love of writing poetry and he says that, as his guitar playing got better, it merged with his writing and became the crux of his songwriting endeavors. Denham is extremely passionate about his music and, when he almost mystically talks about it, it makes sense that it's coming from a man who named his band "Philosopher's Stone."
"By creating my own music, I am making tangible the very feelings which inspire me," Denham explains. "My writing style is very free flowing. I feel I am painting vivid pictures, creating imagery and depth. I love songs that are journeys or dreams. I love songs to evoke the happiest of feelings, like smelling or seeing something that reminds you of childhood. I choose music as my art because -- unlike painting, which you can capture a moment of happiness in time -- music can actually bring happiness into being. As you can see, I love the positive vibe. I want to create music that moves people both physically and mentally. I want to create music that inspires."
To instigate the inspiration, another promotional tool the band has been using to spread the band's music is the Internet. Through the Internet, the group has found fans from all over the world: Russia, Japan, Sweden, Greece. Using instant messaging, the group actually communicates directly with the interested music lovers (an instant message friend of Alig's even came in from Scotland to catch one of the band's shows, according to Denham). By connecting directly with so many people on a relatively intimate level, Denham says the band is creating what he calls the "Road Network," which he hopes will help the band find people to assist them with booking shows, getting radio airplay and other facets.
"This is a perfect example of how our music can reach people one by one," Denham says. "This is how we intend to grow. We make friends around the world.
"For one example (of the Road Network) in America, we have made contacts with a person living near Atlanta. We sent our music and video, and he is helping us get on the air on a radio station. He has many friends who love to party, and he is putting the word out. When it comes time for us to book a show in that area, we know we are going to have many supporters there."
Denham confesses a former love for the controversial file-sharing system Napster ("Sucks now," he says), saying he enjoyed using it to find more obscure music and not the "hit" songs that the industry sought to block users from accessing. But, a little oddly (considering the band's success with Internet promotions), Denham hesitates to take sides on the copyright issues that the Napster controversy had brought about.
"At this time, that is not something we think about," Denham says. "At this stage we are just happy to be getting our music out there. We'll worry about any of those bigger business issues when they come along. Otherwise, music is a business and we are not at the level now to be affected in that way by it. Though it would be nice to have those business concerns one day. It is our full intention to make a living at performing our music."
PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, who are planning a full-length release later this year, play Saturday at the York Street Café with Perfecta.
