Album Notes

Sidestar dazzles listeners with their accomplished modern pop that recalls acts like Counting Crows, Live, and Maroon 5 as they trace a blazing trajectory towards a brilliant future.

Sidestar just finished their 11-song debut "Something More" with producer Rob Stroup (Baseboard Heaters, Scott Fisher) at 8 Ball Studio. Producer/label exec Ray Woods of Rainforest Records writes: "I liked it right from the top. It has a very young and contemporary sound. "East L.A." will be the band's biggest hit when they get signed, that's my prediction."

Formed in early 2003, the Portland four piece is fronted by singer/songwriter Ryan Andrews and backed by identical twin brothers Thad (guitar) and Ted Rask (bass) with Aaron Brown on drums. The twins and Brown have played together since they were twelve, creating an unique musical bedrock for Andrews' hook-drenched originals and arena-ready voice that invites comparisons to Van Morrison, Rob Thomas and Bono.

Andrews had recently parted ways with his first band when he auditioned Brown and the Rasks who had recently lost the lead singer of their current band. The synergy generated from what became the band's first practice, resulted in "Lose Ourselves," a song they co-wrote and from which the album takes its title. From the dramatic story-song of "East L.A." to the evocative "21st Floor," to the rousing rockers "Take Me Out" and "In Your Hands," the album captivates with its sonic strength and authentic emotion.

The foursome delivers a riveting live performance that has earned them slots at the Bite of Portland ('03) and this year's Bite of Oregon Main Stage. They played for 3000+ at the 2004 CycleOregon event, and received their first radio airplay for an entire week as part of the Local Music Spotlight on KINK Fm102.

This summer, the foursome displayed their talents at Pioneer Square's Noon Tunes in downtown Portland, and was tapped for Musicfest NW's Kickoff Party and festival. They were interviewed live on eleven Clear Channel radio outlets across the country as part of Z100's Last Chance Summer Dance and stole the show at the 1000+ FLUX benefit event, filmed for an episode of PDXposed, Comcast's cable network entertainment news.

"The White Eagle soared Friday. Identical twins Ted and Thad Rask brought their terrific power pop band Sidestar into the North Portland saloon and ripped through a release party for their new CD. Will somebody please get these guys on the radio before they do something really silly like leave town?" - Jonathan Nicholas, The Oregonian

"It's not often that a Portland pop band sounds so laser-beam focused on Top 40 glory instead of rocking an indie-rock or alt-country vibe. But Sidestar is clearly gunning for 'buzz band' status with its aggressively hooky tunes" - Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week