Artist description The Ivy Wall offers a tasty blend of light acoustics and harder-rocking electric songs. Their songs put a lot of emphasis on catchy, simple chord progressions, and insightful and/or emotionally charged and confused lyrical content. They give an incredibley deep sound using very few instruments. Although the verse rhythms and refrain chord progressions usually consist of no more than 8 chords, they often like to jam on the basic riff by adding LeRose's complex soloing ability, and Lemense's melodic leads.

Music Style Rock

Musical Influences The Who, Van Morrison, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, The Beatles

Similar Artists Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, U2

Artist History The Ivy Wall formed in early 2002 when LeRose started jamming on Lemense's gutiar one night. When they finished recording the album The Rodent's Apprentice, Lemense had only been playing guitar for 4 months, but it didn't seem to matter as a wealth of songs mostly concerning identity searching and the importance and level of importance of different values in life came to life amidst a beautiful and usually light sound that the band dislayed on the album. Although mostly light acoustic, songs like the almost punk-rock "Justified by Beauty" and the blusey title track showed amazing versatility in what sounds the band could make work. The album, on at least to a very small audience, was well recieved. Songs like "Rain" and "The Rodent's Apprentice" fared very well on mp3.com charts, and word of the album spread quickly throughout Chicagoland. The band decided to re-record their first effort in late 2002, with the addition of the bass of Mitch Smith and the drums of Vince Smith. In late 2002, well re-recording the first album, Vince and Mike came together to create what is to this day considered by many (Claude, Mike, Vince, Mitch, Chris Wigfall), to be the greatest human creation the world has ever known, the Vike-Off.

Group Members Claude LeRose- Vocals, Guitar, Piano Mike Lemense- Guitar Mitch Smith- Bass Vince Smith- Drummer, Piano

Instruments Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Electric and Acoustic, Bass, Drums, and occasional Piano

Albums The Rodent's Apprentice(2002)

Press Reviews you have some good songwriting/lyrical ideas that show through despite the poor recording quality -Spiffy77 the tune flowed and the lyrical content was good. In my opinion the dirty recording sound is GREAT -mastermind Solid tunes. -Crackinsmoke RAIN Melody = 10 – Very easy to drift away into this melody Composition = 7 – I would have like to have heard a fuller sound after about 1:15 just after the first chorus. Technical Ability = 8 – Guitar player seems a little unsure at times. Sounds like a singer guitar player. Originality = 7 – Reminds me of some popular stuff. I’m thinking along the lines of Dave Mathews. Feel = 10 – Great feel on the vocals. Over all rating = 42 You have a good sense for writing emotional lyrics with melody. A combination that captures the listener in a good way. Very enjoyable tune !!!! a lot of nice songs! it sounds good! - Javanais [Rain] [The Ivy Wall] [Soft rock] Comment: Nice vibe in this tune, sad and very atmospheric. I think Claude's voice suits this kind of music very good. I really like the song. Keep it up! ------------------------------------------------ Regards, Daniel i listened to "You'll Get By"...this is a great song, i heard some of your stuff before... this is the best i've heard so far... as i think i said before, when you get these songs together with a full band and some good production you are going to have something really powerful.. and i want to hear it! -Spiffy77 Ya man!! It's got soul -Studio Player (On the Rodent's Apprentice) These guys from Elmhurst, Illinois, really have a great couple of songs. Man, with some improved production value, these guys will definitely have it made. You should check them out. -Marc Alex Ryan Hey...i already heard this stuff....i love it...i think i commented already a few days ago, i was aking you if you're a solo act or a band, and i think you had a link to a website, but a few links didn't work if i'm not mistaken...anyway, i really dig your tunes, i'm listening to "Rodent's Apprentice" as i type, very cool....we need more!!! -Skinny Mulligan Innocence here not easily or often captured. Like Jonathan Richman, without the tongue in the cheek. -Silencia (On Wandering) First of all I like the song just as it is, its a folk sounding tune that needs to have an audience in a big field on a sunny day. -Banker (Wandering) Nice tune -Studio Player (Wandering) 'you'll get by' which has a beautiful understated nick drake purity that's really touching..i could feel my eyes welling up-soppy git that i am -steve Ison Howdy ljm467 Welcome back You’ll Get By 1 = Melody 9 – Beautiful melody, good phrasing, flow is a little choppy 2 = Composition 10 – Very simple arrangement. And that’s all it needs. 3 = Technical Ability 7– Vocals are a bit out. Rhythm guitar needs to be tighter, lead guitar misses a few notes. 4 = Originality 5 – Clean it up and it’s ready to market. 5 = Feel 10 – Great feel. Over all rating = 41 Love that sound and feel you all have. I hear some great talent here, just needs some work. I think the singer was mixed too hot and trying to compensate with his voice. Turn him down some and find a good overall mix so he can push his voice a little more. Great feel on the guitars, just need to clean em up some. Good tune!!! Beer bomb for you - Grumpy Old Head Banger The Ivy Wall i listened to "Wandering"... i've heard your stuff before and liked it, this is another nice acoustic tune with some meaningful lyrics -spiffy I REALLY like the songwriting and the tune. I am the feeble zeeble. This song is right on. Vocals are the key to this song and story. You got sort of a 7 Mary 3 sound to your vocals. This is worth a double listen. Be back soon. -Banker Very simple acoustic song..Heartfelt and intimate with a lyrical stoicicism that totally draws you in as a listener.. Beautifully sung with a warm understated quality redolent of Nick Drake.. Theres a generosity and vulnerability here that puts you in touch with your own empathy for the human condition..I've seen some negative reviews criticising the lo-fi nature of this bands work but for this track i feel it fits perfectly.. The true spirit of the blues.'Its just life.... -steve ison

Location Elmhurst, Illinois - USA

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