Artist description Two songwriters reside in the ranks of Waterloo, though it's Mark Ray's tunes that usually dominate the group's setlist. Ray sings and plays guitar in the group, alongsideguitarist/vocalist Marc Chechik (releasing a solo CD himself, sometimes early in 2000). The group is ably augmented by bassist Dave Melson and drummer John Baldus, with Nadine's Todd Schnitzer often adding to the group in the live context. Part of the Undertow music collective,the band creates a sound that woulddoubtless be welcomed by the readers of "No Depression," though you'd hate to simply pigeonhole them as an alt-country band following in the St. Louis tradition of that moniker. Instead, you get well-crafted, oft-melancholy tunes of reflection, as summed on the group's new CD, "Going to the Sun," which collects nine of the group's signature tracks. (Nadine's other multi-instrumentalist, Steve Rauner, has bits all over the disc.) It's heady stuff and the not the backing track of a nightclub full of young folks out for a night on the town. Instead, they play to people looking for a certain degree of headiness in the music, alongside the heart. Equally adept in an acoustic setting, that's when the group's shape really becomes beautiful.

Music Style atmospheric folk rock

Musical Influences Beatles, Yo La Tengo, Red House Painters, Badfinger, R.E.M., Uncle Tupelo, Velvet Underground, The Feelies

Similar Artists The Feelies, Yo la tengo, Dream Syndicate

Artist History Formed in 1997, the band has evolved its sound in their own studio/collective, called undertow (shared with the band Nadine), and the rare live appearance in St. Louis.

Group Members Mark Ray, Marc Chechik, John Baldus, Dave Melson

Albums Going to the Sun

Press Reviews Highly favorable reviews in Noisy Paper, The St. Louis Riverfront Times

Location Saint Louis, MO - USA

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