About The Chocolate Horse
Photo by Scott Beseler
The Midwestern six-piece is comprised of Jason Snell (vocals, guitar, banjo), Andrew Higley (keyboards, horns, bowed saw, vibraphone), Paul Brumm (acoustic bass, vocals), Johnny Ruzsa (alto flute, ocarina, percussion), Dave Cahill (drums), and new addition Sharon Udoh (keyboards, backup vocals).
Jason Snell began The Chocolate Horse as a modest side-project in the summer of 2005. It was a happily self-indulgent project, centered on writing simple, slightly romantic 2-minute one-liners with an old guitar and a worn-in banjo, recorded on a deteriorating 4-track recording device in which only two tracks worked. Realizing the project’s potential and imagining a bigger, more vibrant sound Snell invited good friends and fellow musicians Andrew Higley (French horn, saw and bow, trumpet, piano, fun machine), and Paul Brumm (upright bass, vocals) to join in. The result was a whirlwind of experimentation and the birth of the hauntingly melodic, yet- non-traditional edge that is The Chocolate Horse.
The trio’s energy paid off and in 2007 the band released their first full-length vinyl album, Patience Works! (STA-001) under what was to become the band's own Stable Records. The project that had started out like a shot in the night continued over the next two years in the same passion - driven vein. Playing one show after another The Chocolate Horse performed their way through Ohio, Northern Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois, and was asked to play at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas in 2008. As the band grew in momentum, confidence, and popularity they picked up invaluable new members and instruments along the way, each shaping and molding The Chocolate Horse into a elegant amalgamation of sound. In 2009 The Chocolate Horse is Jason Snell, Andrew Higley, Paul Brumm, Johnny Ruzsa (Alto flute, Ocarina, percussion), Dave Cahill (drums), and newest addition Sharon Udoh (keys, vocals).
Creativity is what The Horse thrives on and the 2009 year has been no exception. On October 16th the band officially made their house a home with the release of their second full-length vinyl album + digital download entitled We Don't Stand on Ceremony. In addition to recording in the Stable Records Studio, the 6-piece put time in at John Curley's (Afghan Whigs) Ultrasuede Studios, as well as at Manimal Studio with Tobe Donohue (Animal Crackers). Moonlighting on the record are Jim Feist (Tabla) and Tobe Donohue of Animal Crackers (drums). This hodgepodge of widespread collaboration resulted in a sophisticated, focused, and distinctive sound that is nothing if not impressively dynamic. We Don't Stand on Ceremony's mature clarity is audible, from the expressive yet cryptic lyrics to the clean layering of various instrumental sounds, crowned by the unexpected yet pure noise of a beat machine.
In an electrifying Tom Waits meets the Flaming Lips moment, this newest musical brainchild kicks off with the surprisingly perfect short-circuit induced burning of the band's Fun Machine organ within the song "Your Daughter." From the poignant "Spent Time Underground" to the upbeat, flute-graced "Open Up to Hide" The Chocolate Horse has created an album and a sound that seems to subtly breathe, channeling multiple sides of human emotion all the while being incredibly easy on the ears.
Even as the 2009 year ends out The Chocolate Horse's creative spirit has yet to slow down, and they are planning to begin recording again in February 2010. If this drive is indicative of anything it is that the Midwestern 6 piece knows and loves the value of creative work.If The Chocolate Horse's last two albums and past 5 years are indicative of anything, it is that they will continue producing their growing signature brand of musical language, carving out a edgy niche for themselves and their awesomely unorthodox body of musical individuality.
Jason Snell, The Chocolate Horse, photo by Scott Beseller
Jason Snell has been playing music since his fourth grade art teacher, Ms. Tolcroft, let him borrow her acoustic guitar. By junior high he had moved from acoustic to electric, happily annoying friends and family alike within earshot. After much practicing and improvement (and moving to Cincinnati) Jason started the band Readymaid with Andrew Higley. Inspiration for writing music and lyrics stemmed from his experience in art school, as well as relationships. His one attempt at playing in a cover band was much less then successful, serving as a further catalyst for musical self-expression. Post Readymaid, Jason started The Chocolate Horse with the intent to put out a more intimate collection of songs, music that was meant to be on vinyl. He wrote the album Patience Works! in one week on a broken 4- track in his apartment. In 2008 Jason started Stable Records LLC.
Jason is inspired by people who have vision and hope, his five senses, details, process, farms, and love.
When not working with The Chocolate Horse Jason is a graphic designer/animator who owns the company We Have Become Vikings. Jason is a die hard Chicago Cubs fan who loves cooking, painting, and hanging out with his awesome fiancé + their 2 cats in their 100 year old house.
Paul Brumm, The Chocolate Horse, photo by Scott Beseller
Paul Brumm has been fiddling with musical instruments for as long as anyone cares to remember. Early inspiration from Kraftwerk and Devo led to a raft of video game-sounding home recordings and an interest in troubleshooting broken gear. Constantly gigging musician parents (who both still play) proved completely unable to dissuade him from these mutlitrack pursuits. Composition, both sonic and harmonic, won out over virtuosity, or discipline.
Perhaps it is the total number of hours spent under headphones that have shaped his approach, if not his cranium. Lucky to have played in many fine Cincinnati bands since 1993, with the people who Paul would say are his greatest musical influences - friends, family.
Paul is the Horse's bassist and mix engineer. Otherwise occupies himself repairing various things which make noises (or refuse to) and would almost always rather be cooking.
Sharon Udoh, The Chocolate Horse photo by Scott Beseller
Sharon Udoh is just a city kid with an insatiable thirst for everything musical. She attempts to satisfy this thirst by playing as much as music as possible, preferably on a piano. She first got introduced to music by her mother, an incredibly beautiful and wise Nigerian woman with a voice like a bird. Her dad, also Nigerian-born, would play Beethoven's 6th Symphony over the house speakers on Saturday mornings, followed by Africa '70 in the afternoons. Until this day, classical music remains one of Sharon's favorite genres of music, and the 6th Symphony is still her favorite piece of classical music ever composed. Her parents recently moved back to Nigeria in the spring of 2009. She misses, more than anything, singing with her mother.
While not playing music, Sharon is probably writing it or listening to it, while designing websites in coffee shops and wearing a lot of black. Her favorite bands are the ones she's in, because she truly believes that she has the privilege of playing with some of the most talented people in the world! She has been a church pianist for 22 years and has played in more than 20 local bands. Sharon is also a little bit crazy, but she's nice and likes to hug people.
Johnny Rusza, The Chocolate Horse photo by Scott BesellerJohn Ruzsa has had the great pleasure of sharing the stage and recording studio as a member of Mohenjo Daro, Drums for Peace, the Maya Ensemble, the Laszlo Audio Montage , and many others. He also appeared on Todd Almonds recent release, "Mexico City", as well as Zach Mechlem's contemporary music for bellydancing, "Sameera", and Jim Feist's release "Indus Red". He has been performing since 1976.
His musical development is heavily inspired by the influence of his father, who was a music theoritician, composer, conductor, who kept him up way to late on school nights giving him his real education.
In the pursuit of his interests in ethnomusicology, he has traveled to Cuba and Brazil to study the music and folklore of the African diaspora. He has spent most of his professional life as an glass artist and educator. As a child he had a pet monkey bought from an Appalachian women for twenty dollars.
Dave Cahill, The Chocolate Horse photo by Scott Beseller
Dave Cahill has been playing drums, writing, recording, and touring with several different bands for about 20 years, which is why he is no good at chess. A fan of any thoughtful, chance-taking music, TV, movie, book, magazine, writer, comedian, politician, etc. He's glad to have found a creative base here again with The Chocolate Horse.
In addition to Cincinnati bands Readymaid and Pearlene, Andrew has recorded with The Greenhornes, recorded and co-written with Brendan Benson, and recorded and toured with Ben Folds.
Andrew Higley, The Chocolate Horse, Photo by Jason Snell
Andrew's mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all played the piano, so he was encouraged to start with piano before taking up the French horn like his big brother. He learned to play the saw from a street performer in Bath, England.
Listening to The Beatles and The Notwist; drinking tea and wine; looking at photos by Hiroshi Sugimoto and Andreas Gursky; reading books like The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Icelander; doing stuff like sailing in northern Michigan and hanging with his girl.
