Raise High the Roof Beam is a musical collective consisting of five members: Thomas, Aly, Scott, Josh, and Will. With a wide range of influences and musical styles the quintet offers an energy level and style that is hard to find. The diverse musical interests of the group inform a unique, upbeat sound, and each of the band’s members brings a wide range of influences to the new project. Together since late February, the quintet’s live show is energetic and exciting, always engaging the dancin...
Raise High the Roof Beam is a musical collective consisting of five members: Thomas, Aly, Scott, Josh, and Will. With a wide range of influences and musical styles the quintet offers an energy level and style that is hard to find. The diverse musical interests of the group inform a unique, upbeat sound, and each of the band’s members brings a wide range of influences to the new project. Together since late February, the quintet’s live show is energetic and exciting, always engaging the dancing crowd.
Backing their oft-employed group vocal sing-alongs, the band implements an eclectic array of acoustic and electric instruments, from the rock-standard guitars and synthesizers to the folk-based banjo, ukulele and mandolin to add layer upon layer to their sparkling pop gems. “The band keeps viewers guessing with unexpected breaks in songs and unpredictable melodies,” says NBC5’s street team.
"It’s a highly enjoyable mix of folk rock and indie-pop, all sung with an emphasis on loose harmony and played with an ear for the dramatic. I’m very excited to hear what this band is capable of next."
-James Burns, Pop Headwound
"They do nifty things with banjo, ukulele, and mandolin, but in the context of their anthemic, romantic pop, those instruments don’t sound folksy so much as otherworldly"
-Monica Kendrick, The Chicago Reader
"The quintet’s poignant, cheery and uplifting folk-based songs build into massive sing-alongs that radiate warmth and sunshine."
-The Empty Bottle
"The eclectic five-piece create charming and infectious pop music while utilizing an array of instruments from synthesizers to banjos, ukuleles, and mandolins. An explosion of sound dissolves into earnest lyrics, creating some incredibly catchy multi-layered songs."
-Lisa White, Gapers Block
"Chicago's Raise High the Roof Beam routinely bends happy-sounding instruments and themes and twists them to have an air of sadness, but it's grippingly beautiful nonetheless. (Who said the ukulele can't be depressing?)"
-The Onion
"Their looseness builds and congeals into romantic, driving choruses with a lot of shimmery guitar work. They may be newbies, but they know exactly what they are doing, and they do it well."
-Jessica Hopper, The Chiago Tribune
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