Artist description Equal parts rock swagger and country stomp, Paging Raymond lie comfortably between Ryan Adams and Old 97's, casually inserting their Jayhawks-inspired harmonies into the mix for good measure. From the wounded urgency of "Numb" to the mid-tempo come-on of "Wake Up Caroline' to the stomping kiss-off of "Anchor," Bridges Left To Burn is the impressive sophmore release from Indianapolis' Paging Raymond.

Music Style Roots Rock

Musical Influences Whiskeytown, Jayhawks, Ryan Adams, Bodeans

Similar Artists Ryan Adams, Jayhawks, Whiskeytown

Artist History Paging Raymond spent the greater part of 2002 supporting their critically-acclaimed debut CD "Please.Quiet.Recording.", taking their thoughtful and infectious blend of pop, rock, and alt-country across three time zones and back. At home Paging Raymond scored several high-profile opening slots for national acts such as The Samples, Bob Schneider, Wayne, Graham Colton, and Bonepony. The band received national airplay for the single "Alibi" and were nominated for two awards by the music organization Just Plain Folks. Since December 2002, Paging Raymond has been hard at work on their second CD, "Bridges Left to Burn." The album reflects both increasingly mature songwriting and the loose, confident performance of a band that is beginning to hit it's stride. The album was kick started by the band winning a WIUS (Bloomington) sponsored songwriting contest. The winning song is the album’s second track “Wrote It Down”, (It’s also where the album gets its title. “I know you live and you learn/ Well, put on your best dress baby, we got bridges left to burn”) Paging Raymond won a day and a half in Echo Park’s studio A, recording between the gold-record-lined walls of Mellencamp’s guitarist-Mike Wanchic’s Bloomington studio. Following in the footsteps of SonVolt, The Why Store, and Ben Folds Paging Raymond recorded 11 tracks, including a the Johnny Cash cover “Folsom Prison Blues”. After the free time was up, the meter started running, and three months later this independent band, neck-deep in debt, is ready to release their definitive work.

Group Members Aaron Adelsperger-12 string, Vocals Stephen Fields-Drums, Percussion Chris Foster-Bass Tim Wilsbach-guitars, vocals Jim Borders-Mandolin, electric guitars

Instruments guitar, 12 string, mandolin, harmonica, banjo, B-3, piano, drums, bass, accordian, vocals

Albums Please. Quiet. Recording., Bridges Left to Burn

Press Reviews "Bridges Left to Burn" includes a lot of what an artist's second album should have. "Bridges" snaps with life and sugarcoated melodies. It's not an album of heavy sentiments from the roots-rock quintet, but rather a jangly manifesto of dirt-road dreams. "Wrote It Down" captures a restless outlook with the line, "Put your best dress on, we've got bridges left to burn." There's bittersweet misery in the radio-friendly "Wake Up Caroline": "Parcel out the liquor until I can't stand." The harmonies of vocalists Tim Wilsbach and Aaron Adelsperger might remind some listeners of the BoDeans' Sammy Llanas and Kurt Neumann. The players plug in for "Exiled," surely a nod to the Rolling Stones' beautifully fractured "Exile on Main Street." Paging Raymond explores the pop side of Americana, which can corral a range of fans spanning Tim McGraw to the Old 97s. -David Lindquist Indianapolis Star (April ‘03) There is more electric guitar and more amperage on "Bridges Left To Burn" as well, opposed to the soft acoustic tones of its predecessor. One thing that always remains strong and consistent, is the powerful vocal harmonies of Wilsbach and Adelsperger Today, bands such as Wilco, Train, Barenaked Ladies and Counting Crows serve to inspire and influence the Paging Raymond sound. "A lot of people call what we do 'alt-country' and while I personally don't have a problem with that, I don't think that is entirely an accurate description," Fields said. "I would describe us more as an acoustic-based rock 'n' roll band." Regardless of what it is called, the childhood pals are making some darn good music together. With luck, one day they will be burning up the charts instead of just bridges. -Tom Lounges The Hammond Times (April ‘03) Paging Raymond’s latest CD Bridges Left to Burn proves the band has learned some things since releasing their 2000 debut Please. Quiet. Recording. While their debut had some great songs, notably “23 Miles”, “Alibi”, and “Let it Out, there were some songs that were just a little skip-worthy. The boys have learned what they are good at and on their latest release stay away from the slower songs that held back their debut. Bridges Left to Burn is a commendable, commercially viable sophomore release from Paging Raymond. The boys have learned what they are best at and have obviously been focusing their energies. The tracks highlighting their alt-country roots share the stage equally with the tracks that depart for more rock. It’s perfect for the drive up I-65 to The Region, even if the sound seems like a drive to Nashville. -Kristen Leep Indianapolismusic.net (April ‘03) Paging Raymond is a mandolin and acoustic guitar-based pop group from Indianapolis that recalls the music of Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, and Hootie and the Blowfish. Throughout Please. Quiet. Recording., melodies, harmonies, and intelligent lyrics blend together to form a tasty, ear-candy treat. Be sure to check out the mature, introspective ballad Pine Street as evidence that this band could be the next big thing. -TJ Simon www.Musicbox-online.com Strong songwriting buoys this pleasant and primarily unplugged effort. Paging Raymond play a basic, but rarely bland, variety of roots music. Credit a slight rural twang for much of the character, but it's never overdone to the point where your average Dave Matthews fan would be scared off. -David Lindquist Indianapolis Star (Aug ‘01) Paging Raymond is an acoustic rock band. If you’re going to eschew electricity, you have to find other ways to rock. Paging Raymond does this by playing their guitars as fiercely and efficiently as possible. All in all, the group is very appealing, especially live. The fact is, that this is a band that knows how to write and play. -Steve Hammer, NUVO Newsweekly, Indianapolis, IN Paging Raymond have a very loose, feel good vibe. Their sound reminds me of Loggins and Messina, Billy Pilgrim, and even a little bit of the Indigo Girls-not quite country, not quite folk, not quite rock and roll. By the time I was done listening to Please. Quiet. Recording” I had come to realize that no fewer than five tracks off the album have radio hit potential -Michael Patterson Gary Post-Tribune (Paging Raymond) contains a selection of masterful musicians who have created a remarkable collection of intelligently written songs for their first full length album. The music has feel good vibe to it that presents somewhat of a different light on modern music as we know it. The songs are heartfelt and real. Most importantly, they are good. Great music from a remarkable band. This is music that anyone can enjoy. - Michael Allison - THEGLOBALMUSE.COM Paging Raymond has a very accessible, mainstream sound, without being boring or regular. This is a band that could be featured on top-40 radio but wouldn't make a good fit with Britney and Christina. Overall, the musicians are talented, and the album is well crafted. ...this is a quality band with a quality album worth your time -Angela Smith The Depauw Greencastle, IN Paging Raymond intertwines guitars, mandolins, harmonica, organ and piano to produce a full feel-good sound. Although the musical talent is obvious, the lyrics make this album (Please. Quiet. Recording.) complete. The vocals tell captivating stories, which produce several memorable songs. -Quinn Kirsch Purdue Exponent Layfayette, IN I’m hearing songs on this disk, “Please. Quite. Recording.” And thinking, “Damn, I wish I would’ve written that.... these songs are as honest as they get. There are no studio tricks, overdubs, or electronic wizardry, just great songs being played by great musicians on real instruments. ” -Brad Sprauer, www.indianapolismusic.net

Location Indianapolis, IN - USA

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