Album Notes

Route .44 started as a duo with Ian Lacombe on acoustic guitar and Matt Swanton on tenor saxophone. The two made a name for themselves in cafés and small venues around Providence, RI. Ian had left his gig as the original bass player of psychobilly stalwarts "Sasquatch and the Sickabillys" in order to develop his own songs in the appropriate setting. Matt provided the perfect accompaniment for this foray.

As the two began developing their roots-inspired sound, they started to feel limited with their lineup. Over the course of the next 2 years, Route .44 has grown to an eight piece orchestra. The current line-up – which they refer to as a "rootadelic orchestra" – includes Lacombe on vocals and guitar, Swanton on sax and slide guitar, the vocals of Jessica Powers, Paul Choquette on keyboards and baritone saxophone, Eric D. on upright bass, Teri Pimley on viola, Rob Champagne on drums, and finally, Judson Lisiecka on percussion. Each member brings in their own influences and experiences. By playing throughout New England, and sharing gigs with talents as varied as Ashanti and Ember Swift, they have turned many heads towards their captivating and conceptual sound. Not content to be pigeon holed into any specific genre, Route .44 pulls from influences ranging from the dark, broodiing vibes of Morphine to the foot stomping revelry of an Oktoberfest beer-garden.

The eight members hail from every corner of the country. From Seattle, to L.A, Missouri, and Rhode Island each member brings a vast amount of musical knowledge and experience, and most importantly a shared vision. With influences ranging from Rockabilly, to Classical and Techno, the unique sound that you hear in Route .44 is the sound of 8 lives culminating within a musical entity, unifying to create one sound which they can call their own.