Indigo Wild

It started, like so many connections these days do, via Facebook.

Garet Camella and Michael Norris, students at the University of Cincinnati, were seeking others to form a band. After meeting Chris Carter and Jason Winner through mutual friends on the social-networking site, the foursome united last summer in their Columbus hometown.

“We just kind of hoped for the best,” said Camella, a 20-year-old Gahanna native, “and haven’t really looked back since.”

The group will perform tracks from its debut EP, If By Sea, on Friday.

Q Is there a story behind your name?

A After brainstorming for weeks, we decided that instead of letting a band name come to us, we would have to actively seek it out. We drove to Barnes & Noble and split off into different aisles, poking our noses into books about everything from imaginary islands to flower classification.

We settled on Indigo Wild and named our debut album after the second-closest name, Two If By Sea.

Q How would you describe your music?

A We put a huge emphasis on melody, rhythm and purposeful composition.

When we write a song, we strip it down and refine it over and over again, collaborating on each other’s parts so that we’re all satisfied with the final result — this tidal wave of robust rhythm, groovy low ends, finicky guitar duals and soaring three-part harmonies.

We’ve been compared to bands like Fleet Foxes, Death Cab for Cutie, the Shins and Local Natives.

Q With half the band attending college outside central Ohio, how do you make things work?

A It’s definitely a bit stressful, but I think we make the best of it. We try to play shows that we know will be successful and keep a healthy balance between Columbus and Cincinnati venues.

When it comes to writing, we obviously churn out more material during school breaks. Emailing demos to each other has proved to be an acceptable alternative.

Q Why should someone see you in concert?

A Our music is very dynamic by nature, so during our set you might find yourself drifting away to reverb island — but just as you start to realize it, you’re blown off course by a gust of vocals or pummeled by a massive swell of overdrive and percussion.

We hope our music can move anyone.

— Kevin Joy? - The Columbus Dispatch

Moms flocking to Ohio University this weekend can look forward to a local folk mash up that promises to complement well, despite distinct differences.
“We love Indigo Wild; they’re friends of ours,” said Victor Rasgaitis, lead guitar and vocals for The Ridges. “They complement our style without being the same. It makes for a good show that balances each other without being monotonous.”
Indigo Wild and Maza Blaska will open for The Ridges at Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St., Friday at 10 p.m. for a special Moms Weekend performance.
Indigo Wild certainly distinguishes itself from The Ridges’ acoustic sound with heavier more piercing electronic instruments, said Chris Carter, bassist and vocalist for Indigo Wild.
There is more power behind the instrumentals, Carter added, but what connects all the bands is not the folk label but the vocal harmonies that the label implies.
“There is definitely a lot of reminiscent folk arpeggio guitar rifts, and that three-part harmony layered on is going to have a folk label on it either way you spin it,” he said. “(Folk) is a part of our roots, but we’re more indie rock.”
Sam Corlett, mandolin player and vocalist for Maza Blaska, agreed that, for her band, vocals take a prominent role in defining its unique sound, which she feels is hard to place in a specific genre.
Rasgaitis said The Ridges are normally opening for other groups when they travel but coming back to Athens they enjoy finding acts that mesh well, such as Indigo Wild, who the band plays with frequently.
“We don’t try to find bands that sound exactly like us,” Rasgaitis said. “We want people to come for the entire show knowing that if they like one of the bands, they are going to like the others, and stay for all three bands.”
The Ridges have designed this show as a follow-up to their all-acoustic record store day performance at Haffa’s Record Store, 15 W. Union St., where the band played its new song, “Bated Breaths,” for the first time in Athens.
“We are excited to bring that to life with a wider range of musicians and with the full drums,” Rasgaitis said. “We’ve been working on an album since we released the EP … we have a full-length album written, but we haven’t gotten around to recording it.” - The Post: Will Hoffman

Indigo Wild is a band that’s been on my radar for a while now, and I’m happy to announce the premiere of their music video for “Rowboats”, the first single off their debut EP due September 9th. The self-described “Columbus-born and Cincinnati-raised” folk group have steadily gained exposure playing shows in Cincinnati and in their home base of Columbus, but until now, had little more than links to their demos and a piece of candy stuffed inside plastic Easter eggs to pass out at shows (a genius marketing ploy, might I add).

Fortunately, now the band has more than Easter eggs to showcase their talent. In anticipation of their 5-track EP If By Sea, the band released a video for the ridiculously catchy anthem “Rowboats.” The concept-driven video was directed by Jerod Nawrocki of Fox Die Productions.

If you’re in the Columbus area, you can grab a copy of If By Sea at Indigo Wild’s record release show on September 9th. The band will be playing at Kobo (2590 North High Street, Columbus) along with Blastronauts, The Town Monster and Narrow and the Brights. For those in the Cincinnati area, you can pick up the album digitally via Indigo Wild’s Bandcamp page, as well as at Shake It and Everybody’s Records. They’ll also be playing a string of local shows, including this Saturday’s Sunflower Street Festival in Historic Milford and the Clifton Heights Music Festival on October 7th and 8th. - Each Note Secure: Caitlin Behle

Usually, building a band is difficult. You could scroll endlessly through craigslist, root through the open mics, or hang around the nearest school of music. The search can last a lifetime, with little success.

Then again, sometimes fate steps in to take the wheel. Indigo Wild falls into this latter category. After meeting through various open mics in Cincinnati, Garet Camella and Michael Norris were a pair of talented guitarists and songwriters in need of a rhythm section. On a late night food stop after a Local Natives concert, Garet saw a friend and asked her if she knew any drummers.

“Uh, my boyfriend.” Trusting her judgment, they invited Jason Winner to a practice with them.

“He came over, jammed with us once, and (snaps fingers) we wrote Rowboats,” Garet recalls, referring to one of the band’s most popular songs. Soon after, another friend suggested Chris Carter as a bassist. As skeptical as they were, he proved to be a perfect fit, reflecting the effortless manner in which Indigo Wild has climbed from recording basement demos on Garageband to opening for top touring acts.

After being embraced by the Cincinnati community starting with the 2010 Cliffton Music Festival, James Allison of The Town Monster and Tony Stewart of Electraplay Studios in Columbus took Indigo Wild under their wing; the band soon found themselves playing top shows in the capital city.

Citing musical influences from Led Zeppelin to Yeasayer and soaking their sound in reverb, the members of Indigo Wild make a tight, cohesive sound that utilizes the full extent of the considerable musicianship of its members. Always hard at work on the next project (currently: writing a full-length record), Indigo Wild is off to about as promising of a start as a young band could hope for. - The Hot 17: Andrew Gallagher

Usually, building a band is difficult. You could scroll endlessly through craigslist, root through the open mics, or hang around the nearest school of music. The search can last a lifetime, with little success.

Then again, sometimes fate steps in to take the wheel. Indigo Wild falls into this latter category. After meeting through various open mics in Cincinnati, Garet Camella and Michael Norris were a pair of talented guitarists and songwriters in need of a rhythm section. On a late night food stop after a Local Natives concert, Garet saw a friend and asked her if she knew any drummers.

“Uh, my boyfriend.” Trusting her judgment, they invited Jason Winner to a practice with them.

“He came over, jammed with us once, and (snaps fingers) we wrote Rowboats,” Garet recalls, referring to one of the band’s most popular songs. Soon after, another friend suggested Chris Carter as a bassist. As skeptical as they were, he proved to be a perfect fit, reflecting the effortless manner in which Indigo Wild has climbed from recording basement demos on Garageband to opening for top touring acts.

After being embraced by the Cincinnati community starting with the 2010 Cliffton Music Festival, James Allison of The Town Monster and Tony Stewart of Electraplay Studios in Columbus took Indigo Wild under their wing; the band soon found themselves playing top shows in the capital city.

Citing musical influences from Led Zeppelin to Yeasayer and soaking their sound in reverb, the members of Indigo Wild make a tight, cohesive sound that utilizes the full extent of the considerable musicianship of its members. Always hard at work on the next project (currently: writing a full-length record), Indigo Wild is off to about as promising of a start as a young band could hope for. - The Hot 17: Andrew Gallagher

Usually, building a band is difficult. You could scroll endlessly through craigslist, root through the open mics, or hang around the nearest school of music. The search can last a lifetime, with little success.

Then again, sometimes fate steps in to take the wheel. Indigo Wild falls into this latter category. After meeting through various open mics in Cincinnati, Garet Camella and Michael Norris were a pair of talented guitarists and songwriters in need of a rhythm section. On a late night food stop after a Local Natives concert, Garet saw a friend and asked her if she knew any drummers.

“Uh, my boyfriend.” Trusting her judgment, they invited Jason Winner to a practice with them.

“He came over, jammed with us once, and (snaps fingers) we wrote Rowboats,” Garet recalls, referring to one of the band’s most popular songs. Soon after, another friend suggested Chris Carter as a bassist. As skeptical as they were, he proved to be a perfect fit, reflecting the effortless manner in which Indigo Wild has climbed from recording basement demos on Garageband to opening for top touring acts.

After being embraced by the Cincinnati community starting with the 2010 Cliffton Music Festival, James Allison of The Town Monster and Tony Stewart of Electraplay Studios in Columbus took Indigo Wild under their wing; the band soon found themselves playing top shows in the capital city.

Citing musical influences from Led Zeppelin to Yeasayer and soaking their sound in reverb, the members of Indigo Wild make a tight, cohesive sound that utilizes the full extent of the considerable musicianship of its members. Always hard at work on the next project (currently: writing a full-length record), Indigo Wild is off to about as promising of a start as a young band could hope for. - The Hot 17: Andrew Gallagher

Lobsterfest 2012: Indigo Wild
By Katie O'Leary, Art Director
May 29, 2012

Ninety-degree weather, a lack of motivation and sunbathers galore–-it must be spring quarter in Athens. This also means Lobsterfest is quickly approaching.

Cincinnati/Columbus natives Indigo Wild are exceptionally excited to be a part of the springtime celebration of musical talent. ACRN spoke with Indigo Wild’s guitarist and vocalist Garet Camella about what they plan to bring to the festival and what they expect from their audience.

ACRN: How would you guys summarize your musical style?

Garet Camella: We don’t really like to put genres on anything, but we’re pretty groovy. Chris is obsessed with “funk,” I guess you would call it. He’s all about funky bass lines he likes to fit into songs. I would say we get a lot of “groove” from that. I think our main thing is our harmony parts. The three of us–me, Michael and Chris—all sing, so we incorporate a lot of harmonies into our songs. We’re harmonious and groovy. I mean, obviously we’re playing indie rock but it’s a lot more than that.

ACRN: I’ve noticed you guys play in Athens a lot. Is there a reason for this?

GC: The first time we played [in Athens] was with The Ridges and they kind of introduced us to Athens. We met them in Cincinnati. It used to be the hotspot for shows. Now Columbus is more of the hotspot. Now it’s kind of up in the air [laughs]. We don’t know where our home is.

The Ridges messaged us and asked if we wanted to play their CD release show in Athens so we played at Donkey and we had really good reception. I think [The Ridges] brought us to another show after that.

Each time we go to Athens we have significantly more people at our shows than the last time we played, which is a testament to how cool the music scene is in Athens. The last show we played there was May 4, and we played with The Ridges again. At one point, Casa was at capacity. Right after our set, I was taking my stuff to my car and the door guy wouldn’t let me back in. He was saying, ”Woah, woah, woah buddy get to the back of the line.” I had to tell him we just played. It was crazy. There were people waiting to be let into the show.

Playing with Maza Blaska, The Ridges and bands like that has really helped us out a lot. I think the reason we keep coming back is it’s a blast each time. I think the May 4 show was one of the best ones we played all year.

ACRN: What’s your guys' favorite part about playing in Athens?

GC: Honestly, I think it’s just the community there. We got up on stage and [even] though we don’t [sic] know everybody there, it was like we were playing a hometown show. It was the weirdest thing. Maza Blaska played and then we got up there and people started clapping saying, “Yeah! Let’s do this!” The crowd was already warmed up.

It feels like we don’t have to impress anyone and that people are just there to enjoy it. That’s the best part. You can tell people who are there and come out to shows want to be there. The energy you get in one room is awesome. I guess it’s the "energy," if you’d like one word to describe [our favorite part].

ACRN: Moving to Lobsterfest, how did you connect with ACRN to play there this year?

GC: Jake [Bowman] contacted us for that acoustic takeaway video. We got an article written about that too, and that was our first big thing with ACRN. We’ve had a lot of people from ACRN come out to the shows. We’ve also done a couple of interviews with ACRN about the shows we do.

Once again, probably from our connection with The Ridges too. Just with the community and music there everything is interconnected. I remember when I was playing my solo stuff, I knew a bunch of people who went to OU and I heard about Lobsterfest and thought it would be so cool. When we got offered to play I was like, “Yes!” because I know it will be a lot of fun.

ACRN: You guys are playing at the Casa show for Lobsterfest. How do you feel about that venue?

GC: It just keeps getting better each time we come to Casa. I think the sound there is really good and the sound guy is great. He really knows what he’s doing. I don’t know, the whole set up is great. The audience is really close to you, and it’s everybody enjoying music and having a good time. It’s the perfect venue to play. If Casa were somewhere else I’m sure it’d be a great venue, but it’s the fact that it’s in Athens and that it has certain kinds of people that go there. It’s all a perfect equation. It’d be a sad day if we weren’t playing at Casa.

ACRN: Have you played anywhere in Athens besides Casa?

CG: Yeah, we’ve played at Donkey. I think that’s the only other place we’ve played. I mean, we’ve done acoustic stuff on the streets outside of Bush Hall so I’m not sure if that counts. We’ve also played inside one of the dorms.

ACRN: What’s one thing you would want Lobsterfest-goers to know about Indigo Wild had they not already heard about you?

CG: I think I would want them to know - ACRN: Katie O'Leary, Art Director

On a cool fall day in Athens, Garet Camella is singing in the street. With dark rain clouds looming overhead, he strolls through the middle of Ohio University’s East Green, acoustic guitar hung over his shoulder. Cameras follow him as his lilting voice sings the opening verse of “When You Say,” the first song off of If By Sea, his band Indigo Wild’s debut EP.

When he hits the chorus, he joins his bandmates sitting on a stone wall where the impeccable harmonies that define Indigo Wild commence. It all seems so natural for the group of young musicians, but in actuality, this environment is completely new to them.

“It was crazy,” Camella later says of the video shoot. “Like, when we walked up there were just seven people standing there, and one guy is holding a boom mic. I was like, ‘what the fuck? This is going to be awesome.’”

The shoot was inspired by La Blogotheque, a French website which transforms established artists into street performers. This particular video was made with hopes of pushing a relatively new Ohio band with vast potential into the spotlight.

--

Indigo Wild, whose robust harmonies draw easy comparisons to bands such as Fleet Foxes and Local Natives, came together through a series of unlikely circumstances.

Camella, a disarmingly attractive 20-year-old with a charming smile, played in a band called North Dakota during his freshman year at the University of Cincinnati. Through mutual friends, guitarist Michael Norris made known his desire to join the group through a lunchtime meeting with the band.

“So we played a couple of weeks, and then everyone gave up except [Mike and me],” says Camella. “So we kept working on the songs that we had written as that little project.” Those songs eventually bloomed into the band’s first single “Rowboats,” as well as “On the Hill,” which remain two of Indigo Wild’s strongest pieces.

Drummer Jason Winner learned of Camella through his girlfriend. “I wasn’t playing music and I desperately wanted to play music with somebody,” recalls Winner, an Ohio State student. “My girlfriend was always like, ‘Well, there’s this guy on UC’s campus and he does solo acoustic stuff. You should ask him to play drums.’ So I was just picturing this Jason Mraz guy.”

“Which I was,” Camella admits with a laugh.

At a Local Natives concert in Columbus, Camella and Winner spotted each other, after which Camella swears he “felt something” between the two. He soon sent what he calls a “really awkward” online message, which spawned jam sessions between the three musicians.

Bassist Chris Carter, another Ohio State student and the only member of the band legally allowed to drink, joined after friends of Camella’s ex-girlfriend talked of a “cute kid in the fucking dorms that played music,” says Camella. Remembering these conversations, Camella messaged Carter suggesting a jam session.

Carter arrived, appearing nervous in front of the other three members, but they soon started playing. And it just worked. “We finished ‘Rowboats’ and we were like, ‘Shit.’ And then we were a band,” says Camella.

“He just laid down the most disgusting bass line I’ve ever heard,” asserts Winner. “So we all just looked at each other and were like, ‘OK.”

“We didn’t question anything from there,” Camella adds. “We just went with it. I don’t even think we made anything official. We just accepted we were a band.”

--

Indigo Wild is anchored by its three-part harmonies. Camella, Carter and Norris each add a layer to the vocals and provide a timeless sound both on the record and in a live environment.

Carter claims that the complex vocal arrangements are “probably the most natural thing we’ve ever done as a band.”

“We knew we wanted that sound,” Camella adds. “There’s nothing like voices harmonizing together. But getting there was definitely, like, step by step.”

Adds Norris; “Our demo sounds more Fleet Fox-esque than If By Sea, with a more acoustic sound.” As their songs and recordings grew more refined, the group upped the electric sound and came out with a sound more reminiscent to the band at whose show Camella and Winner first saw each other.

Norris’ voice was the missing piece that helped boost the band to where it wanted to be. Before Indigo Wild, the guitarist, whose smooth and fluent licks add yet another weapon to the group, didn’t sing much at all. Getting comfortable as a singer, as well as gaining the comfort of singing together with different parts, took time. But the time was well spent.

It’s shocking how new Indigo Wild is to playing together. The band’s first show occurred September 3, 2010, and in the time since, the group has played numerous times throughout the state of Ohio, plus once in Kentucky..

Even so, it’s hard to imagine Indigo Wild being caged inside Ohio for much longer. With each show, the band has grown stronger and has received positive responses at each gig.

“We’ve been received really well,” says Carter. “Honestly, we’ - ACRN: Chris Dobstaff, News Editor

Tired of the same old indie bands? Me too…
I’d say it’s time for indie to go wild – Indie go wild. Indigo Wild. (… see what I did there?)

At first sight, they might just look like another group of guys: two guitars, a bassist and a drummer; but once they start playing, it won’t take long to realize that maybe you shouldn’t write them off as ‘just another hipster band’ so quickly. Within those first few introductory measures, you’ll discover that Indigo Wild has a very unique modern sound and oodles songwriting skills, which is never a bad combination...

Indigo Wild has a very refined and clean indie style that contains sprinkles of groovy, head-bobbing moments of happiness. If someone forced me to compare them to another band, I’d have to say it’s kinda like Built to Spill meets Way Yes, but that’s just to get you in the vicinity – each song really has its own character and modulated feeling, so it’s especially hard to define them. While some bands rely on power chords or basic song structures, Indigo Wild steps it up with complex bridges and hooks that keep their songs fresh and colorful. Their music is incredibly versatile and fits a variety of scenarios: studying, thinking, and yes, even partying.

It could have been just because I was standing right in front of the big speakers, but I was particularly impressed by the instrumental collaborations of these four gents – they seem to have a knack for creating dreamy arpeggios that hide just underneath the more apparent lead and counter-melodies. Additionally, in a day where very few bands incorporate the synth/drum machine sound while maintaining musical integrity; this band manages just that, all while floating in and out of transitions with smooth harmonies and über-catchy rhythms.

Perhaps the fiercest weapon in their arsenal is their three-part vocals, which they are not afraid to unleash at any moment. Their voices echo around and consume you within seconds, it’s incredibly hard not to close your eyes and just get lost in a daydream. Each song is full of so many layers and moving parts at every moment; it truly is a pleasure diving into their music.

Currently, the guys are gearing up to write their first full debut album, the details of which are yet to be released. They plan on playing a few shows this summer, but are planning to mainly focus on their songwriting. For now, you can check out their EP, “If by Sea,” which has five songs for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
- Bustown Music

Indigo Wild is a fresh-faced band that’s been around only about a year. But the quartet’s debut EP, If by Sea, makes it sound much older, infusing indie-pop grooves with group harmonies à la Fleet Foxes. - The Other Paper (Columbus, OH)

"Of all the bands set to perform this weekend, Ntukogu is especially enthusiastic about some new acts in particular. He anticipates newcomers Indigo Wild, a talented young blues/folk band..." - The News Record (Cincinnati, OH)

"Of all the bands set to perform this weekend, Ntukogu is especially enthusiastic about some new acts in particular. He anticipates newcomers Indigo Wild, a talented young blues/folk band..." - The News Record (Cincinnati, OH)

"Indigo Wild's sound is reminiscent of indie-rock band Dredg, with dreamy chord progressions, harmonic vocals and loud breakdowns. At the last minute, the lead singer convinced the band to play a cover of "We're Going to be Friends," by the White Stripes. The cover was enthusiastic and soulful, with the whole crowd eagerly clapping along. The closing song, "Row Boats," was their most powerful song, filled with rich crescendos." - The News Record (Cincinnati, OH)