The Brothers Comatose I April 11-14th

Projects: Past

American bluegrass fever in Lithuania – The Brothers Comatose

 Five member bluegrass/folk ensemble The Brothers Comatose (San Francisco, CA) has toured across the country in support of their past two releases. Infused with a sense of relaxed, experienced confidence, The Brothers Comatose offer a southwestern-tinged, rowdy sound that might just make this your new favorite record before you turn it over to side B. Brothers Ben and Alex Morrison—guitar, banjo, and lead vocalists—front this rocking string band that has become a West Coast headliner and national touring act in a mere handful of years. With master Scott Paden on bass, and stellar accompanists Philip Brezina on fiddle and Ryan Avellone on mandolin, their high energy, engaging shows have caught fire with fans from San Diego to Seattle and Salt Lake to Silk Hope, N.C. Following three critically acclaimed full-length studio albums (Songs From The Stoop [2010], Respect The Van [2012], and City Painted Gold [2016]), the five-piece string band disrupted the traditional album cycle to focus their 2017/2018 schedule on a series of strategically released songs, including single “Don’t Make me Get Up and Go” produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice. Those releases led to extended tours with Devil Makes Three, Yonder Mountain String Band and Lake Street Dive, which in turn led to independent headlining club tours and appearances at festivals the likes of High Sierra, Delfest, Outsidelands, and Pickathon. In 2018, The Brothers Comatose went international, traveling to China for a month of cultural music exchange and education through American Music Abroad.

Whether traveling to gigs on horseback or by bus tour, Americana mavens The Brothers Comatose forged their own path with raucous West Coast renderings of traditional bluegrass, country, and rock ‘n’ roll music. The five piece string band is anything but a traditional acoustic outfit with their fierce musicianship and rowdy live shows reminiscent of stadium rock concerts.

All concerts are free, but pre-registration is required.

Concerts will be held:

April 11st 7 pm Klaipėda Concert Hall
Link to Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-brothers-comatose-klaipedoje-tickets-56987502153

April 12nd 5 pm Kėdainiai Regional Museum is a multicultural center
Link to Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-brothers-comatose-kedainiai-tickets-56990943446

April 13rd 7 pm Vilnius St. Catherine Church
Link to Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-brothers-comatose-vilniuje-tickets-56991093896

April 14th 3 pm Jašiūnai Manor House
Link to Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-brothers-comatose-jasiunuose-tickets-56991270424

Individual Bios:

Philip Brezina started playing violin at age five, following the wisdom of the Suzuki program. He went on to do his undergraduate work with David Salness at The University of Maryland. While in Maryland, his quartet was selected to lead the inaugural chamber music outreach program; an idea designed to bring music education to under privileged youth. Philip now lives in San Francisco, where he received his Masters Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Ian Swensen. He works as a Bluegrass fiddler in The Brothers Comatose, a studio recording artist with the Magik Magik orchestra, a soloist, associate concertmaster of the San Francisco Academy Orchestra, and principal second in The San Jose Chamber Orchestra.

Born and raised in the suburban Midwest, Scott Padden has been making music in San Francisco since 2011. His songs have been described by peers as “real, raw and fantastically heartfelt.” When not performing his own music, he regularly tours as a bassist with Goodnight Texas, as well as Scott Law & Ross James’ Cosmic Twang.

Ben Morrison was born and raised in Petaluma, California. Brother of fellow band mate Alex  Morrison, Ben began playing guitar and singing songs at age 12, taking a liking to rock and roll music. After a few forays into rock band territory, Ben decided on a different musical direction. That’s when he traded his electric guitar for an acoustic and started down the path of American roots music. He now sings, plays guitar and acts as manager of The Brothers Comatose – a folk/bluegrass band based in San Francisco, CA.

Born and raised in Petaluma, California, Alex Morrison picked up guitar at the ripe age of seventeen and due to unbridled musical curiosity, the banjo ensued. Developed through the years a well versed knowledge of the American musical traditions of folk, blues and bluegrass. Graduated from University of San Francisco in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Works as a graphic designer and director of merchandising for The Brothers Comatose. Also, performs as banjo player and vocalist for The Brothers Comatose.

Ryan Avellone began playing music at age 16. He was a self taught guitarist who loves rock’n’roll. He eventually studied Jazz at Cabrillo college taking courses with Ray Brown focusing on music theory and improvisation skills. At 24 he picked up the mandolin and fell deeply in love  with American roots music and traditional bluegrass. In summer 2014 he attended the Mandolin Symposium where he was able to learn from Mandolin masters including David Grisman and Mike Marshall. Today he balances his time between song writing and developing his mandolin technique.