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West
Coast Acoustic Rock from The Donnis Trio
 At
its most basic level, Americana is about singer-songwriters. In a
musical environment which often embraces style and sensationalism at
the expense of good old-fashioned songwriting, it is always
rewarding to discover independent artists who are focused on the
most basic element of the music industry - the song. While the major
labels are busy promoting personalities instead of well-crafted
songs, the San Diego band known as The Donnis Trio prove that the
art of songwriting is very much alive and well among indie artists.
"I
like to write songs that have a reason to be sung," observes
the band's frontman, Nate Donnis. "I have to actually picture
the person singing the song for a reason. And it has to be a strong
enough emotion for that person to sing."
Donnis,
a 29 year old New York native, moved to the West Coast in 2003.
After working in the corporate world for three years, Donnis joined
with percussionist Phil Woodring and bass player Denis Sluka to form
an acoustic trio blending folk, rock and pop musical styles.
Based in San Diego, the group has recently released their debut CD
entitled All Directions (Shady Tree Records).
The
CD features 14 original songs written and sung by Donnis.
Dominated by a laid-back groove and a willingness to incorporate a
variety of musical styles, the recording illustrates a maturity and
consistency not often associated with albums written, produced and
performed entirely in-house. The CD's origins began with a week-long
writing and recording session in a desert shack rented by the band
in early 2006. After returning to San Diego, the band spent the next
ten months putting the final touches on the project. Recorded in
closets, bedrooms, living rooms and any available recording space, All
Directions epitomizes the indie rock work ethic.
The
hard work is providing some early rewards for the band. The
stand-out track "No Other Place" was given
honorable mention in the International Music Awards in 2005.
Donnis explains that the "place" referred to in the song
has a literal meaning. "The song 'No Other Place' is
written about the healing powers of the beach. When I first moved
out to San Diego, it was my first time living on the beach. To be
able to have access to it and to go there whenever I wanted was a
new experience for me. Basically I was having problems finding
a job. And to be able to have the beach seemed to solve all the
problems."
For
now, the band spends most of its time in the clubs around San Diego
building up a following and spreading its musical message. From
there, the Donnis Trio will be working hard to bring their songs to
the masses along the West Coast - and 'all directions' beyond.
(August
28, 2007)
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