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Artist description
wonderlust is a powerful live act, with the pop hooks and technical artistry to keep audiences coming back for more |
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Music Style
alternative rock |
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Group Members
Keith Houghteling,
Danny Obler,
Sri Rao,
Oscar Sanchez |
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Albums
wonderlust |
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Press Reviews
Chicago Arts and Entertainment 10/24/02
Wonderlust grows with few growing pains along the way
By Max A. Herman
The South Side’s Wonderlust is a band that has been years in the making.
Having only been officially together for seven months, though, they are budding quickly.
Like most self-sufficient bands they must carry out respective day jobs leaving their love for music to be romanced only at night and on weekends.
As bassist Danny Obler said bluntly, “I’d love to play all the time if it was possible, but everybody has their own responsibilities.â€
Bassist Obler works in middle management, guitarist Sri Rao and drummer Keith Houghteling teach, while guitarist Oscar Sanchez is a computer software guy.
In spite of their respective careers and other daily duties, these four make it a point to come together at least three times a week to practice.
With their blue-collar ethic, they have already put out a self-released, self-titled, six-song EP with no record label support.
The members of Wonderlust, especially Rao, are pretty on-point with their agenda.
“Sri’s a very goal-oriented guy - he had dates in his mind,†said Obler. “Once we played our fist show, everything was starting to gel. We said, ‘Let’s have a release date.’ He booked a release party before we ever went into the studio,†he added, laughing.
From their first show at a St. Patrick’s Day party, Obler knows they have come a long way.
“Our sound has been evolving over the last seven months,†Obler said. “That’s for sure. We started definitely pop, pop/rock, pop/alternative and as we get to know each other better, as we play with each other better, we’re getting a little more edgy - definitely more powerful and tight. I think we’re heading for a more atmospheric sound.â€
How these fellas came together seems like it was bound to happen.
You see, Sri Rao, Danny Obler, and Oscar Sanchez all went to the same high school on the South Side. As time carried on, Rao and Sanchez formed an acoustic-only duo, while Obler and Keith Houghteling were playing in bands together for years.
When Rao called Obler this past February to get a band together, he complied and brought Houghteling along.
“It was like an instant rhythm section for Sri and Oscar’s songs - which they’ve been playing acoustically,†Obler said.
Throughout the seven months of Wonderlust’s existence, Obler admits that they haven’t actively been seeking a record deal. Obler doesn’t seem to be sweating it, though.
If the dotted line happens to fall in front of them, then they may pick up the pen to sign. Until that day, the guys from Wonderlust are peddling their EP on their Web site and at shows while building their fan base. Obler said they hope to hit the Midwest college circuit soon, so look out.
“People come out whatever night it is and see us, which I really appreciate,†said Obler. “A lot of people may not know how appreciated they are when they do come out and support local, live music, but they’re great. We’ve had good crowds in every show so far.â€
Wonderlust will play Saturday, Oct. 19, at The Backdoor Lounge, 816 Burnham Ave., Calumet City, in the “Battle of the Bands.†For more information, call 708-868-0260.
Wonderlust will also play Saturday, Nov. 2, at O’Malley’s, 11957 S. Pulaski Rd., Alsip. For more information, call 708-293-1837.
For more information on Wonderlust, log on at www.wonderlust.us.
Chicago Arts and Entertainment © 2002, Goss Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the publisher is prohibited. |
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Location
Chicago, IL - USA |
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