SHERBURNE – Rabbit in the Rye, a band that melds progressive rock, Americana, and folk arrangements, just released its first live album this past Friday.
Working in coordination with Subcat Studios of Syracuse, the album was a result of a subrosa session in which the band performed live in front of an audience. Their music was recorded at a studio quality level. Members of the audience were then given a CD of the performance they had just seen.
The three band members, Joseph Mettler of Sherburne, and Brendan O'Connor and Alex Lavon (both of Highland Mills), then decided to take the album one step further. “We mixed from those tracks we recorded,” explained Lavon.
Aptly named “Live at Subrosa,” the album is a digital release only and is available through a “pay what you want” system at rabbitintherye.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-subrosa.
When asked why they left the payment option open, Mettler explained that the album did not cost much to produce and they wanted to “share the wealth.” “Because it's live, we want people to hear it and pass along the word,” said O'Connor.
In response, the band has received payment for approximately two-thirds of all downloads so far. The album is composed of eight songs, six of which were previously unreleased. The album is a result of a friendship that developed with Subcat Studios after Rabbit in the Rye recorded their first album with them. The first album, 'Tabled Fables,” was released in April of last year and is reflective of the band's style. “I would consider us storytellers to the extreme,” said Mettler.
He continued by explaining that, with O'Connor recently beginning to play the mandolin, their music has evolved to incorporate a louder, progressive side and an Americana roots side.
