Artist Spotlight: Proverbial

Hey bloggers, get excited for springtime and fun in the sun as the weather begins to warm up.  Today’s post is focused on Proverbial, a band comprised of five JMU students who’s style incorporates an “eclectic rock, funk, and jazz sound straight from the soul” as stated on their myspace page.   

Proverbial began when freshmen year roommates Phil, Thomas, and Jessie started playing together informally on and off first semester at JMU.  After realizing their potential for further progress, they found a drummer and named themselves Live for Live.  They began playing at parties and other venues such as the block parties held at JMU each semester, mainly concentrating on covers of their favorite music such as sublime.  Live for Live added Steve, a guitarist and close friend, at the beginning of their sophomore year, marking the beginning of big changes for the band.  Live for Live also obtained a new drummer, Drew, and eventually changed their name to Proverbial. 

The band decided on the name Proverbial for several reasons.  Proverbial represents the mission statement for the band.  According to Steve, guitarist for Proverbial, “Proverbial expresses commonality.  Music itself is a universal principle that can transcend all cultural barriers.  All types of music have something to offer.  And that’s all we’re trying to do, offer ourselves and our listeners something to relate to.  When compiling, performing, or just playing music, we take one approach:  to present something proverbial.”    

Right now Proverbial is playing regularly at venues around Harrisonburg.  They are also in the process of finishing a demo over the next few weeks.  After receiving requests for a CD of some sort, the band sat down with a fellow student they were fortunate enough to know that has a small recording studio available.  The demo is highly anticipated and we will keep you posted about release dates and other details. 

When asked about the future of Proverbial after college, because the band is made up mainly of seniors at JMU, the band responded optimistically, but with no certainty.  “We would love to do this for a living, but the most important thing at this point is playing music.”  The band practices as often as the opportunity arises, but as any other college student could tell you, time can sometimes be hard to come by. 

Be sure to check out proverbial at these local venues throughout the valley in the next couple of weeks. 

March 29:  Rocktown Grill,  Harrisonburg, Va.  (with Sweetbriar) 

April 2:  The Pub,  Harrisonburg, Va.

April 11:  Longwood University,  Farmville, Va.

April 16: Rocktown Grill, Harrisonburg, Va.  (opening for The Bridge)

April 12:  1400 Block Party- Fox Hills,  Harrisonburg, Va.

April 19, Radford University Quadfest,  Radford, Va.

May 21, The Pub,  Harrisonburg, Va. 

Also be on the lookout for Proverbial’s demo release which should in the next couple of weeks as well. 

Until next time bloggers, enjoy the spring weather and be sure to check back in soon for our next artist spotlight featuring Gifts from Enola. 

~ by Landon on March 25, 2008.