The earliest incarnation of the band you now know as Both/And was formed in February of 2009 as James Lepine & The Chasers, recording three songs at Blue Chair Studio. James Lepine is the primary creative force in the band, writing all the lyrics and melodies - the band, once known as The Chasers, formed with James’ younger brother, David Lepine (who will turn sixteen in July ‘10) on keys, lead guitarist Ben Singleton, bassist David ‘Tower’ Beuerman, and drummer Chris Allison.
James Lepine & The Chasers played a few shows around Little Rock, and in September, drummer Chris Allison was replaced by Zach Neel. This shift in lineup likewise caused a shift in sound. James felt this new direction warranted a name change for the band, “Both/And” coming from James’ obsession with paradoxes since the age of sixteen. James notes the contrast between a “both/and” mentality and an “either/or” mentality. “ I got so tired of trying to figure everything out, and when the idea of the paradox was presented to me, I gobbled it up. For once, things didn't have to be one way or the other. For once, things weren't always black or white. For once, controversial issues could borrow from both sides in order to reach a conclusion. Death bringing about life, slavery bringing about freedom, despair bringing about hope... these are the things that fascinate me.” The band began recording music as Both/And in March 2010. The product of a three-day recording session at Blue Chair with producer Darian Stribling is their EP, “A Thousand Times Before.”
James and David Lepine come from a musical family - their father, Bob Lepine has played guitar in several bands, as well as many years of radio work - he also founded Redeemer Community Church, where the band practices. James has been writing songs since the age of thirteen, so his approach to songwriting seems to be very natural - the title track for the EP was written by James’ during one of his waiting shifts at Rumba in Little Rock’s River Market District. James, if necessary, will sing into the voice recorder on his phone, getting together with the band later to flesh everything out musically.
The band is putting up their debut EP, “A Thousand Times Before” for streaming on their Myspace, and for download on their Noisetrade site, as well as thesixtyone.com, cdbaby, and iTunes
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