Brother Rabbit

Susie McCombs, a member of Northeast Technology Center’s EAST initiative class, is organizing a benefit concert at 5 p.m. on June 11, at the Rogers State University Auditorium.

McCombs, a member of the Tulsa-based ambient-rock band Brother Rabbit, saw the need for the shelter and decided to do something about it. In order for the shelter to have enough financial support to remain open, it is vital that the community show strong support and turn out for the benefit... - Tim Fink - The Claremore Progress

Susie McCombs, a member of Northeast Technology Center’s EAST initiative class, is organizing a benefit concert at 5 p.m. on June 11, at the Rogers State University Auditorium.

McCombs, a member of the Tulsa-based ambient-rock band Brother Rabbit, saw the need for the shelter and decided to do something about it. In order for the shelter to have enough financial support to remain open, it is vital that the community show strong support and turn out for the benefit... - Tim Fink - The Claremore Progress

"Chances are, if you saw Brother Rabbit in its early stages, you would barely recognize the group now. Singer Susie McCombs is the one constant thread, and even she admits it's been a quite a musical journey.

Originally forming Brother Rabbit in 2009, McCombs recently shared that she started out playing with a couple of friends in what was essentially a folk group. Over time, membership shifted, and the group retained its folk edge, but once a drummer and electric guitars were brought into the equation, the band had a different intensity.

Eventually, the group started moving in more of a post-rock and shoegazing direction, and McCombs dove in headlong.

Although the band membership continued to shift, McCombs kept the drummer and bassist in the group, and the band continued down the shoegazing path.

"Every year we've gotten a little heavier," McCombs explained. "Every member we've had has added something, but I really think that the current lineup is the most unified. We've just got a more unified vision of what we want to do and we're all on the same page. Plus, this is the most fun I've had with any of the different versions of the band so far."

If it seems strange that the band has moved from a strictly folk sound into the more atmospheric and experimental nuances of post-rock, a conversation with McCombs can clear that up.

"I was always very influenced by music from other cultures," she explains. "When I started the group, I really wanted it to be more world music. It's just that when we played, it turned into folk."

Of the initial decision not only to change members, but start moving in a new direction, McCombs said, "At some point it just felt like we were limiting ourselves and I was ready to move forward. There's never been a set plan or design on where we go -- it just happened."

With the band settled into a current lineup that includes Caleb Demarais on drums, Gabriel Vasquez on bass, James Reza on rhythm guitar and keys, and Tye Slagle on lead guitar, McCombs has a calm confidence about the group and where it could be headed in the future.

"Actually, I hope to continue getting heavier," she said. "There's a very attentive intensity in post rock that makes people listen. And when you've got really strong lyrics paired with that, it makes you pay attention and really listen. Plus, that's even more powerful in the live show."

In turning our attention to the live show, McCombs explained the group's performances have evolved as well as the music.

"We really focus on the performance as a whole," she said. "It's not just the music -- we have a visual aspect and effects and there are a few new surprises we've come up with as well. We've really thought things out and are thinking about our audience -- how to keep them engaged and interested and interacting with the show."

Now, nearly four years after initially forming, Brother Rabbit is releasing its debut CD, Storybook, with a release party at The Vanguard on Friday night, September 6.

The eight-song disc isn't really so much a picture of where the band is right now as an encapsulation of its evolution to this point. The group's more melodic folk leaning are particularly pronounced on "The Great Adventure," while an acoustic rendering of "Deathtrap of a Crow" bridges the gap into the darker edge of post-rock while also incorporating McCombs world music influences with a Latin flair.

All of the band's stylistic elements are interwoven, however and "The Great Adventure" segues into "Id Lohur," a blast of post-rock that moves into the more ethereal shoegaze of "The Things We Dream Of." The disc closes with a dramatic reading of "House of the Rising Sun."



Obviously, as the sole original member and lead vocalist of the band, McCombs voice ties it all together for the listener. When asked what the true common thread between all the songs is, however, she said, "What ties it all together? A really big imagination, I think. We've always been really imaginative and creative and not limited in our creativity or what we can do -- that and a strong lyricism.

"This has always been a fun band," she continued. "It may seem a little strange because we've always had this heavy element come through, yet we're all incredibly happy people."

Above all else, however, McCombs attributes a childlike imagination the band members for tying everything together and giving the band's work its cohesion. That's part of the reason the - Gary Hizer - Urban Tulsa

"Chances are, if you saw Brother Rabbit in its early stages, you would barely recognize the group now. Singer Susie McCombs is the one constant thread, and even she admits it's been a quite a musical journey.

Originally forming Brother Rabbit in 2009, McCombs recently shared that she started out playing with a couple of friends in what was essentially a folk group. Over time, membership shifted, and the group retained its folk edge, but once a drummer and electric guitars were brought into the equation, the band had a different intensity.

Eventually, the group started moving in more of a post-rock and shoegazing direction, and McCombs dove in headlong.

Although the band membership continued to shift, McCombs kept the drummer and bassist in the group, and the band continued down the shoegazing path.

"Every year we've gotten a little heavier," McCombs explained. "Every member we've had has added something, but I really think that the current lineup is the most unified. We've just got a more unified vision of what we want to do and we're all on the same page. Plus, this is the most fun I've had with any of the different versions of the band so far."

If it seems strange that the band has moved from a strictly folk sound into the more atmospheric and experimental nuances of post-rock, a conversation with McCombs can clear that up.

"I was always very influenced by music from other cultures," she explains. "When I started the group, I really wanted it to be more world music. It's just that when we played, it turned into folk."

Of the initial decision not only to change members, but start moving in a new direction, McCombs said, "At some point it just felt like we were limiting ourselves and I was ready to move forward. There's never been a set plan or design on where we go -- it just happened."

With the band settled into a current lineup that includes Caleb Demarais on drums, Gabriel Vasquez on bass, James Reza on rhythm guitar and keys, and Tye Slagle on lead guitar, McCombs has a calm confidence about the group and where it could be headed in the future.

"Actually, I hope to continue getting heavier," she said. "There's a very attentive intensity in post rock that makes people listen. And when you've got really strong lyrics paired with that, it makes you pay attention and really listen. Plus, that's even more powerful in the live show."

In turning our attention to the live show, McCombs explained the group's performances have evolved as well as the music.

"We really focus on the performance as a whole," she said. "It's not just the music -- we have a visual aspect and effects and there are a few new surprises we've come up with as well. We've really thought things out and are thinking about our audience -- how to keep them engaged and interested and interacting with the show."

Now, nearly four years after initially forming, Brother Rabbit is releasing its debut CD, Storybook, with a release party at The Vanguard on Friday night, September 6.

The eight-song disc isn't really so much a picture of where the band is right now as an encapsulation of its evolution to this point. The group's more melodic folk leaning are particularly pronounced on "The Great Adventure," while an acoustic rendering of "Deathtrap of a Crow" bridges the gap into the darker edge of post-rock while also incorporating McCombs world music influences with a Latin flair.

All of the band's stylistic elements are interwoven, however and "The Great Adventure" segues into "Id Lohur," a blast of post-rock that moves into the more ethereal shoegaze of "The Things We Dream Of." The disc closes with a dramatic reading of "House of the Rising Sun."



Obviously, as the sole original member and lead vocalist of the band, McCombs voice ties it all together for the listener. When asked what the true common thread between all the songs is, however, she said, "What ties it all together? A really big imagination, I think. We've always been really imaginative and creative and not limited in our creativity or what we can do -- that and a strong lyricism.

"This has always been a fun band," she continued. "It may seem a little strange because we've always had this heavy element come through, yet we're all incredibly happy people."

Above all else, however, McCombs attributes a childlike imagination the band members for tying everything together and giving the band's work its cohesion. That's part of the reason the - Gary Hizer - Urban Tulsa

...This five-piece indie rock and folk band showcased their fresh, yet slightly psychedelic sound at this year’s Free Tulsa music festival.
The move to a more euphoric tone follows the addition of a new drummer Caleb Demarais. Find out more about Brother Rabbit... - Mike Brower/Bryce Riedesel - RSU Radio 91.3

...This five-piece indie rock and folk band showcased their fresh, yet slightly psychedelic sound at this year’s Free Tulsa music festival.
The move to a more euphoric tone follows the addition of a new drummer Caleb Demarais. Find out more about Brother Rabbit... - Mike Brower/Bryce Riedesel - RSU Radio 91.3