Artist description This four-piece from Minneapolis melds smart songcraft with top-notch musicianship, unleasing tightly woven pop-rock gems that are at the same time catchy and complex.

Music Style Pop Rock

Musical Influences Steely Dan, The Police, Peter Gabriel

Similar Artists Steely Dan, The Police, Peter Gabriel, Squeeze, Ben Folds

Artist History Formed in 1998 by singer/keyboardist Rob Meany, Terramara started off as a four piece centered around the rhythmic pop styled songwriting of Meany, with bass, drums and guitar adding a rock edge to the sound. The group quickly gained a reputation for str ong songwriting and top-notch musicianship in the local music scene. Teaming with local producer Ken Chastain (Greazy Meal, Beat the Clock), Terramara recorded a full-length CD in the spring of 2000 and released it independently in the fall. The album garnered good reviews and solid radio play, establishing the band as a unique sound on the local music scene. Local radio DJ Mei Young proclaimed Terramara "the best band in Minneapolis that no one has heard of." Other local critics drew parallels to such rock giants as Sting and Steely Dan. The band spent a good deal of 2001 promoting the CD throughout the midwest with a tight, high-energy live show. Highlights included high-profile concerts at the Festival of the Heart & Soul in Minneapolis and the Taste of Minnesota in St. Paul. Consistent live appearances throughout the year helped the group build a loyal fan base. Early 2002 found the band in transition. With two longtime members moving on, the band reformed with founding members Rob Meany (vocals/keyboards) and Dave Thomas (drums) joined by two new players: Karl Koopmann on guitar and Erik Pedersen on bass. With a fresh start, the group been reworking some of its old material and adding plenty of new songs to the play list as it moves to ward a second recording project. “¿

Group Members Rob Meany, keys and lead vocals; Karl Koopmann, guitar; Erik Pedersen, bass; Dave Thomas, drums and percussion;

Instruments Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Drums

Albums Terramara

Press Reviews "You're going to start hearing this name a lot--Terramara." --Robyne Robinson, KMSP-TV Channel 9, Minneapolis; "Terramara is the best band nobody's heard of in Minneapolis. We've aired at least four different tracks off their debut CD and can't wait for more!"" --Mei Young, DJ, KQRS, Minneapolis; "Wonderfully rich and layered tiramisu of sound. Lead vocalist Rob Meany possesses all the effortless poetry of Sting." --Heidi Fellner, Pulse of the Twin Cities; "Minneapolis/St Paul gave the world acts lik e P rince, Husker Du and the Replacements. Now they may be poised with their next gift, Terramara. You can feel elements as diverse as Steely Dan, Royal Crescent Mob and Sting's earlier solo stuff, but these guys keep their ownsignature on it with a live ly b ackground groove that permeates the songs and gives them a kick that keeps you happy through all ten tracks." --Mark E. Waterbury, Music Morsels; "I saw a band at a private party recently that really caught my ear, and I have a feeling they're going to st art popping up a lot in bars and conversations in the very near future. Terramara's sound has been described as jazz-infused rock. I hear "Can't Buy a Thrill"-era Steely Dan, but I also hear jagged power pop similar to Ben Folds Five and ex-Jellyfish gui tarist Jason Falkner, particularly his debut solo album "Presents Author Unknown." --Ann Wickstrom, reporter, Tourdates.com; "This group actually writes good songs, and their level of musicianship is top-notch. The guitar solos even go somewhere! Although I don't hear any instant hits, this disc grows on you with each listen." --Dylan Ritalyn, Toast Magazine Demorama; "Think Steely Dan with an edge. Great pop tunes with a flavor of jazz and rock. Good stuff. Look for these guys." --TwinCities.com ˜

Additional Info Contact Rob Meany at rmeany@terramara.com

Location Minneapolis, Minnesota - USA

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