Ryan Karazija – Low Roar

To some, it’s unfair – even blasphemy – to compare anyone’s vocals to those of Thom Yorke. Back in 2008, multiple critics were doing just that when describing Audrye Sessions’ frontman Ryan Karazija’s singing style. When I interviewed him in 2008, he had this to say about the comparisons:

“I think about that a lot. And I don’t know what I think because it’s fucking Thom Yorke. That’s great. Cool. He’s fucking amazing. But there’s also a thing that stresses me out about it. He’s so different, and that’s why they are who they are. At the end of the day I would never compare us to them. If somebody says I sound like Thom Yorke, well then, Thank You.”

In 2010, Audrye Sessions broke up after eight years of playing together. Soon after, Ryan moved to Reykjavik, Iceland. The move proved difficult for Ryan: being away from his friends and family and dealing with starting anew in a foreign land. Karazija started writing about his struggles and recorded new songs as Low Roar. Ryan was nice enough to share two new Low Roar tracks with us. Look for the album to be released on November 1st, by LA-based Tonequake Records.

MP3: Low Roar – Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (Edit)
MP3: Low Roar – Just A Habit

A friend of mine emailed me today saying that I should check out the band Audrye Sessions. She said that they sound like “old Radiohead meets Muse meets Travis“.

I normally dismiss this kind of talk, but she was right. After listening to the Oakland quartet’s vocalist Ryan Karazija, I could see what she meant. His melodies reflect his admiration for Sigur Ros, his favorite band.

Audrye Sessions is releasing an EP on October 14th (Black Seal). Look for their self-titled debut in January 2009, recorded with Andrew Scheps (U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash) and Matt Radosevich (The Hives, Taking Back Sunday).

Tour Dates:
Sep 14 8:00P Tonic Bar Reno, Nevada
Sep 16 8:00P The Exit Fresno, California
Sep 18 8:00P Sidelines w/ What Laura Says Modesto, California
Sep 19 8:00P Chain Reaction (w/ Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head) Anaheim, California
Sep 20 8:00P Spaceleand w/ Heavenly States & What Laura Says Los Angeles, California
Sep 21 8:00P Beatles Revolution Lounge w/ What Laura Says Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep 23 8:00P Beauty Bar San Diego, California
Oct 5 8:00P Schuba’s (w/ Wild Sweet Orange) Chicago, Illinois
Oct 7 8:00P The Soiled Dove (w/ Wild Sweet Orange) Denver, Colorado
Oct 9 8:00P Neurolux (w/ Wild Sweet Orange) Boise, Idaho
Oct 11 8:00P Someday Lounge (w/ Wild Sweet Orange) Portland, Oregon
Oct 12 8:00P Tractor Tavern (w/ Wild Sweet Orange) Seattle, Washington
Oct 14 8:00P Great American Music Hall (HEADLINE SHOW) San Francisco, California
Oct 16 8:00P The Echo (w/ WIld Sweet Orange) Los Angeles, California
Oct 22 8:00P Bowery Ballroom (W/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s New York, New York
Oct 23 8:00P CMJ (TBA) New York, New York
Oct 24 8:00P CMJ (TBA) New York, New York
Oct 25 8:00P CMJ (TBA) New York, New York

Download (Right-Click Save As):
MP3: Audrye Sessions – Turn Me Off
MP3: Audrye Sessions – Perfect Sometimes (Acoustic)

Audrye Sessions Myspace