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From empty pockets and hopeful hearts comes the first full-length album from the piano-rock ensemble Thriving Ivory; an effort some would say is long overdue.
When vocalist Clayton Stroope met pianist, writer and composer Scott Jason in college at UC Santa Barbara he knew he had found his musical counterpoint. "I'm not a song writer, and Scott doesn't sing, but he has this creative force inside him and I just fit as an outlet for him," says Stroope. "It was just the perfect two pieces of the puzzle that came together."
Sharing the same musical vision, the duo set out to form their band. What they found was indie guitarist Drew Cribley. "Drew has just a really unique style of playing guitar," says Stroope. "He's the one who looks most like he should be in a rock band." For rhythm, drummer Paul Niedermier and bassist Bret Cohune seemed the perfect fit. "Bret and Paul together are just a real solid rhythm section, the backbone of the band," says Jason.
Five years of hard work and dedication has culminated in a sound that is really all their own. Thriving Ivory is an ever-developing ideal that strives to prove that genuine artistry need not be lost in modern music. Their first single, "Angels on the Moon," which was inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, is a compelling and intelligent rock song, communicating a message that pierces straight through to the heart.
One person heard this message loud and clear and decided to take a chance on an unsigned and relatively unknown band. When "Angels on the Moon" made its way into the hands of nationally influential and renowned supporter of local bands, Live 105 Music Director Aaron Axelsen, he immediately put the track into full rotation. The result was a top-five requested song and the break that the band had been waiting for. "I was blown away," admits Stroope. "All of the sudden we just got a call, and then the next day we just heard it on the air four or five times." "I have a great deal of appreciation for Aaron Axelsen," says Jason, "for his ability to understand our music and for taking the risk to put it on the air.”
With a fast-growing fan base and an ever-increasing collection of songs, it was finally time to head into the recording studio, but putting the album out on their own steam has certainly been a leap of faith. "There's always this underlying feeling of uncertainty," admits Jason. "Not in the music, but in the ability of the record industry to understand the music and take a risk on a relatively unknown band. You know, how long is a band willing to push and push without making any money, while at the same time you're impacting lives; it's so ironic.”
Taking the leap with the band was former Jellyfish bassist and veteran producer Chris Manning. Jason recalls the interview process with Manning as the moment he knew they had found their producer. "I remember our manager asking Chris some very specific business questions, and Chris' response had nothing to do with the question that was asked," says Jason. "All he said was 'all I do is make bad ass records.' That's when I knew I wanted to record with him."
What came out of tireless hours of writing, recording and mixing is a compilation of Thriving Ivory's finest work. New songs like the dynamic and uplifting "For Heaven's Sake" blend perfectly with seasoned songs like the haunting and provocative "Unhappy” and plaintive piano ballad "Overrated,” which KFOG put on their second annual Local Scene CD compilation.
Boasting the album’s most triumphant arrangements, “Day of Rain” and “Secret Life” are irresistible counterpoints to the energetic and heart-pounding “Runaway” and “Light Up Mississippi.”
"I've always liked the idea of keeping songs mysterious and leaving the listener to interpret it themselves because it means something different to everybody," says Jason on the exultant tracks “Long Hallway with a Broken Light” and “Flowers for a Ghost.”
No song on the album, however, expresses the beauty of Stroope's operatic vocals combined with the honesty and vulnerability in Jason's lyrics better than fan and industry favorite "Hey Lady.” “Stroope’s voice literally melts you away,” wrote breakingcustom.com, “With his ability to completely take control of the song and the listener.”
Emerging fan favorite, "Twilight" was chosen for a recent Live 105 contest which placed Thriving Ivory in the top five local acts in the bay area. Support from the station continued, when "Angels on The Moon" was listed in the top 105.3 songs of 2006 and the album made the top ten staff picks of the year.
With the completion of their first full-length album, the men of Thriving Ivory are on the brink, but have long been making waves. "When it comes to Thriving Ivory, it's not a matter of if...it's when," wrote the Owl Mag. "And like true rock stars, they exude the 'it-factor' setting them apart."
