Bio

Armadillo Borealis plays original rock & roll and country songs rooted in the traditions often lost in today's mainstream music. They mix up-tempo rockers with wistful country shuffles and slower melodic ballads for a diverse but consistent blend of original music.

The band was formed in late 2001 by singer/songwriter/ex-Baltimorian Brian Straub. Weighted down with a notebook of material and a burning desire to play it, he finally felt he was in the right place to start a band after he landed in Seattle. He was working at The Landing (a local record store) when he met Parama, a bass player from southern India by way of North Carolina. The two immediately discovered a common love for the music of Bob Dylan, The Stones and Johnny Cash. Parama was already jamming with his friend and co-worker Chris Quirk--a Colorado native whose drumming reflected strong funk and jazz influences--and he invited Brian to join them. The seeds of Armadillo Borealis were sown.

They started as a three-piece, playing 15 minutes sets at Mulleady's open mics every Thursday night under various names including the Rain City Geeks and the Unsightly Bastards. Quickly they became a welcome and even anticipated act with intelligent and catchy songs that they performed with relentless, raucous live energy.

In March of 2002, friend/fan Al Echison--another Baltimore native and drummer for the Tiny Kings--joined the Borealis on electric guitar and backing vocals. He soon carved a niche for himself in Armadillo's sound with beautiful and original guitar embellishments that have added tremendously to their sound and stage presence.

Armadillo Borealis played its debut show at the Lock & Keel Tavern in Ballard on June 15th 2002 to a substantial and enthusiastic crowd. They shared the bill with the Tiny Kings (Al's other band), so Al only joined them in a guest appearance for a few songs that evening. Since then, the Borealis has played Big Daddy's in Woodenville, the Old Town Ale House in Ballard, the Little Red Hen in Greenlake and other shows at the Lock & Keel. They have played with local acts the MJ Bishop Band, Creeping Time, the now defunct Big Hat No Cattle, Betsy Olsen, and the Dust Horses.

The band recently recorded a five song EP of original music entitled "Texas Chemical Skyline" with Spookmuzik Studios engineer Julian Martlew. Julian does live in-studio feeds for KEXP and has worked with, among others, the Dusty 45s. He was instrumental in capturing the live energy that Borealis exemplifies on stage and documenting it on CD for a wonderful first experience in the studio.

Armadillo Borealis is:

• Brian Straub - Acoustic guitar, vocals, songwriting
• Al Echison - Electric guitar, backing vocals
• Parama - Bass guitar
• Chris Quirk - Drums

Would you like to get on our mailing list? Absolutely no spam.
list@armadilloborealis.com