Alibi is an eclectic mix of shake jazz, pop and blues with influences ranging from Dave Matthews and John Mayer to Coldplay and Guster.

9 MP3 Songs
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Runaway Songs


Details:
* Brian Grahn
* Ryan McMichael
* Rob Turer
* Reid Draper
* Sam Drazin


Alibi's unparalleled instrumentation, consisting of galvanising and acoustical guitars, unsloped bass, saxophone, piano and drums, lends them a flexible music style synthesizing shake jazz, pop and blues. This original combination is due predominately to the diverse backgrounds of the five members of the group. They owe their talent to their experience in jazz, classical music, and even a barbershop quartet.

Alibi's music was once described as "...The instrumentation of Dave Matthews, the lyrics of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the voice of James Taylor." Though maybe not entirely accurate, this view of Alibi captures their elusive sound. It's hard - if not impossible - to compare Alibi with any one artist. Half a dozen obvious influences come to mind, such as: John Mayer, Santana, Pink Floyd, Ben Folds, Coldplay and Maroon 5.

Reid Draper and Brian Grahn began their first band in ninth grade. The duo had an acoustical-rock sound that lasted until the addition of Ryan McMichael, who added a heavy element of jazz to their music. After hearing the soaring guitar licks of an old middle school buddy, Reid quickly asked Rob Turer to join the band as the lead guitarist. Sam Drazin, the percussionist of the group, was immediately added after a brief and impressive audition during a morning rehearsal.

The group has made numerous achievements since their formation, such winning Exposure, a Battle of the Bands competition located at Washington D.C.'s largest nightclub - Nation. After surpassing over forty Maryland, Virginia and D.C. bands, Alibi was awarded twenty-four hours of recording time at Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church, Virginia. Alibi soon realized that twenty-four hours would not be enough to complete their ambitious goal of recording a nine song album. After almost three hundred presales and numerous performances, Alibi was able to finance over fifty hours of recording. After several months of setbacks, their debut CD, Runaway, was finally finished.