Bombadil (band)

Bombadil
Background information
Origin Durham, North Carolina, United States
Genres Folk, pop
Years active 2005–present
Labels Ramseur Records
Website www.bombadilmusic.com
Members Daniel Michalak
James Phillips

Bombadil is a two-piece band from Durham, North Carolina with guitar, bass, piano, and drums as their primary instruments. Their music is best described as folk-pop. The band are known for their creative and heartfelt lyrics, quirky and diverse sound, and engaging live show.

History

Bombadil began in early 2005 after guitarist Bryan Rahija and bassist Daniel Michalak decided to start a band while undergraduates at Duke University after meeting while studying abroad in Bolivia. They recorded several demos at a local elementary school during their spare time.

After returning to the United States, Michalak recruited his brother John to write drum parts for the songs and the three spent the holiday break pulling the songs together. Pianist and friend Stuart Robinson joined the band a few months later.

After a busy year of touring and writing music, Bombadil signed with Ramseur Records of Concord, NC after playing a show with The Avett Brothers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[1] The group immediately set out recording a debut EP, which was released in May 2006. John Michalak left the band to pursue medical school and was replaced by James Phillips in the fall of 2007.

The group released their first full length album entitled A Buzz, A Buzz on April 29, 2008. The band toured throughout the United States,playing festivals like Bonnaroo, FloydFest, Pickathon, and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion to support the album. Their second album, Tarpits and Canyonlands, was released on July 7, 2009.

From July 2009 to December 2010, the band was on hiatus due to Daniel suffering from nerve damage in his hands.[2][3] Stuart Robinson also briefly left the band during this time to pursue academic interests, but later returned.

The band gathered in Portland, OR to record a follow up to Tarpits and Canyonlands in November 2010. The album was recorded by drummer James Phillips in a barn on Pendarvis Farm (the same barn where The Decemberists recorded The King is Dead). The album, released on November 8, 2011, is named All That the Rain Promises. The title is a homage to the mushroom collecting book All That the Rain Promises and More.

In the summer of 2012, the four members moved back to Durham to record "Metrics of Affection," which was released on July 23, 2013.

After recording "Metrics of Affection", Bryan Rahija left the band to attend business school in Michigan. [4]

In Rahija's absence, the other members recorded "Hold on", their 5th full length album. The album will be released on March 24, 2015. [5]

On March 4, 2015 it was announced that Stuart Robinson would be leaving the band to pursue personal interests, and Daniel and James would continue writing and touring as Bombadil. [6]

Current members

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

  1. ↑ Parker, Chris (2006-08-09). "Independent Weekly: Music: Feature: Middle-earth mirth". Indyweek.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  2. ↑ "Bombadil - News - Sad news: canceling shows for a little while". Bombadil.squarespace.com. 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  3. ↑ "Bombadil - News - Bombadil show tomorrow, 12/29!". Bombadil.squarespace.com. 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  4. ↑ Mills, Fred. "MUSIC THAT HEALS THE SAVAGE… Bombadil". Blurt. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Armstrong, Chuck. "Bombadil Announce Plans for Fifth Studio LP, ‘Hold On,’ Set for 2015 Release". www.Diffuser.fm. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  6. ↑ http://bombadil.squarespace.com/news/2015/3/4/lineup-change.html
  7. ↑ "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2014-06-12.

External links

Bombadil in the media