The creation of a band is an amazing thing. Some bands form through longtime friendships, and some through local jam sessions. The Ivy Street Band, though, was slightly different. In July of 2007, four strangers traveled to Virginia to take part in their first feature length film. Not one of them, however, had the smallest idea as to the musical bonds that would form and cement them into what would soon become The Ivy Street Band.
Within a few days of meeting each other, the four quickly discovered that not only were they all musicians, but their different styles of music blended together remarkably well. A few weeks after the fateful meeting, The Ivy Street Band was reunited in Oregon, added two more members to the band, and wrote and recorded their debut album, Neon Shore. This CD encompasses the variety of musical expressions each member of the band contributes, a bold blend of eleven original pieces including Blues/Jazz, Folk Rock, and Bluegrass.
The Ivy Street Band consists of Austin Kearney (Vocals, Guitars, Percussion), Jeremy Clayton (Lead Vocals, Piano, Harmonica), and four sisters, Christina Emmons (Lead Vocals, Guitars, Percussion), Victoria Emmons (Vocals, Mandolin, Banjo), Natalie Emmons (Vocals, Bass), and Stephanie Emmons (Vocals, Violin).
"The six of us have been preparing to be part of this band for years, without realizing it," says Victoria Emmons, also a member of the Bluegrass/Gospel band The Emmons Sisters. "Jeremy and Austin have been performing with several bands and individually developing their own unique style, while at the same time my sisters and I had been involved with our own ensemble." Victoria, together with her three sisters, has been performing along the West Coast for several years.
"We're incredibly excited about our CD Neon Shore, and we can't wait to see what comes next!" says Jeremy. "I like to believe that, as a band, we were meant to be."
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