Artist description Passionate, intelligent, and skillfully performed rock music with very eclectic influences.

Music Style Emotive, lush, sophisticated, acoustic Alt.-Rock with Classical, Jazz, and prog-rock influences

Musical Influences Vigilantes of Love, Over the Rhine, Kansas, Phil Keaggy, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Cockburn, Fleetwood Mac, U2, Rich Mullins, Nick Drake, Arvo Part, King Crimson, Henryk Gorecki, Sixteen Horsepower, Jars of Clay, Poor Old Lu, the Beatles...

Similar Artists Over the Rhine, U2s influences evident. We've been told we sound like Third Day + Caedmon's Call + Spooky Tuesday. Others have said Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, & Kansas. Beats me. Take a listen...

Artist History Set on Edge, the roots of which lay in the meeting of Steve Rieske and Shannon Lewis at a retreat in '92, has been as much a concept as it is a band. Though maintaining a fairly solid line-up from '93 to '96 (including Randy Kinsey, and later, Dave McCall), one has been as likely to see Shannon Lewis performing Set on Edge songs as a trio, as a solo act, a 5 piece, an 9 piece rock-orchestra, or a reunion of the original line-up. The concept, however, remains the same; solidly written and passionately performed Rock music, with deeply personal lyrics, and a passion to communicate one's deep experience (and struggle) with faith to anyone who has ears to hear. Set on Edge is presently on an indefinite hiatus. A new c.d. is being finished, and a live c.d. and a possible compilation are all in the works, but presently Shannon Lewis is performing live as a solo artist until otherwise noted. Shannon Lewis is currently playing live with the Athens, GA, band Nye (pronounced Nye).

Group Members Set on Edge last was; Shannon Lewis (vocals, guitar), Patrick Strawser (bass, piano, B3, Fender Rhoades), Brittnye Norris (djemba, piano, backin vocals, organ, and assorted keys), Patrick Davis (guitar, backing vocals), Kevin Smith(guitar), Tim Carter (bass), Clint Knight(Drums) & Emily Beam (cello). Primary songwriters; Shannon Lewis, Steve Rieske, Brittnye Norris & Patrick Strawser. Former members (or people who have temporily performed with us in the past); Randy Kinsey (guitar), Dave McCall (drums), Tom Crea (drums, guitar, bgvox), Josh Antonuccio (guitar), Dave DeMarco (bass), Charlott Deri (violin), Wayne Hazelwood III (cello), Matt Black (bass), Bill Johnson (bass), Holly Bohanon (piano), Melanie Tullet (bgvox), Andy Womack (drums), Andrew Thurston (bass), Randy Chester (guitar & bgvox), Steve Grubbs (guitar), Bryan Martin (drums), Drew Lawson (bass), Joe Gum (didgerydoo) & Ryan Nuzum (mandolin). Other musicians you may hear with them in the studio; Kenny Hutson (mandolin, pedal steel guitar)

Instruments Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Bass, Piano, Fender Rhoades, Hammon B3 Organ with Leslie Cabinets, Drums, Cello, Viola, and sometimes mandolin, djemba, and didgerydoo...

Albums Autumn Song ('95), Sod Pottage ('98), & A Story to Cling To ('02)

Press Reviews "If A Story to Cling To is any measure of their potential, Set On Edge are growing up to become gentle giants. ...I must warn those of my psychologist colleagues who specialize in patients who suffer from anxiety-related conditions. If this EP ever reaches your neck of the woods, and your patients happen to get their hands on it, you may eventually lose them as steady customers...It contains more cushion than a Freudian couch, and more healing power than seven shrinkin' Sigmunds. ... [Shannon's] voice is pristine, passionate, powerful and peaceful. ...Each added member's touch reflects protean capabilities. These are obviously extraordinarily talented, hand-picked musicians. Each arrangement is well executed and extraordinarily orchestrated. ...Each song reveals an abiding intimacy between a devoted, if spiritually depleted, disciple and God, the divine source and open-armed recipient of his devotion. It has been said that every picture tells a story. Though this picture is still in the works, it foreshadows an auspicious, burgeoning tale of triumph." -- Bruce L. Thiessen (the Phantom Tollbooth); "The winning characteristic of Set on Edge is probably their gentle yet driving momentum, building intensity by pleasantly repetitious classical guitar and percussion. ...Another strong point, though, is frontman Shannon Lewis's smooth, emotional tenor voice that occasionally breaks with bluesy urgency... Anyone looking for something with the flavor of forgotten classic/prog folk-rock that shys from pop but is pleasant enough to listen to, check out Set on Edge. " --Josh Spencer(The Phantom Tollbooth); "Shannon has hit another one out of the park. ...Shannon's voice, as I've written before, is among the best I've heard online; or off for that matter. His range is great. His talent is obvious. His training comes thru in his phrasing and breath control. This man has a mastery of his voice that only comes with education, and relentless performances and practices. ...Shannon Lewis deserves to be recognized. Not only for his talent as a vocalist, but also for his talent as a songwriter. ...Following in the more folk rock era REM period and adding other Athens influences from bands like Vigilantes of Love, Set On Edge further defines its character by incorporating the western Christian influences of Rich Mullins, Phil Keaggy and Jars of Clay into its lyrical tapestries and then layering upon that the deeper spiritual humanism of Bruce Cockburn and U2. ...Not since Mark Heard's 'Dry Bones Dance' has something so affected me by its display of soothing poignancy. While Mark Heard displayed a greater austerity and desert quality to his work, Set On Edge brings an optimism that is neither shallow or stale from overused doctrine, though surely the doctrine is part of the struggle faced...Shannon Lewis has one of those rare and exceptional voices that demands attention. Clear and crisp, Shannon conveys a complete sincerity in what he sings, easily capable of the high ranges that were once demanded of male vocalists when rock was more theatrical than it has been more recently. Shannon is intent and competent with his vocal prowess, preferring to reach deeply into the emotive cycle rather than the hyperbole of rock's more illustrative clowns of passion." -- Chris K. (GODS OF MUSIC); "Have you ever known someone who suddenly and absolutely stuns you with a talent you previously never saw them exhibit? ...Shannon Lewis hit me like that. That guy can belt out a song. They opened with a cover of 'Carry On Wayward Son.' Try singing that one in your car one day. G'wan -- just try that high note. Guy has one powerful set of pipes." -- Folded Soup Journal; "Featuring a fluid line-up, tight performances, and an anything-can-go attitude, SoE shows are extremely fun evenings. The lyrics are positive and uplifting, and the music, hemmed in by..tight drumming, stretches out in all sorts of different avenues, from complicated keyboard flourishes to fierce acoustic strumming." -- Grant Goggins (GMS Legion)

Additional Info A STORY TO CLING TO E.P.

Location Athens, GA - USA

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