Who We Are

{We just found out yesterday that a magazine called Word and Way is wanting to interview The Corners and possibly include us in a story. This being our first press, we were pretty pumped. They wanted some info in advance on who we are so Matt (keyboards) put together a sweet little bio outlining our origins and I thought it was very well put together. I'm hoping this might help communicate our intentions and how we and even why we have such intentions.} -andy

The brainchild of bandleader Andy Rhea, The Corners synthesize the musical influence of Foday Mashburn, Daniel Rhea, Matt Assel, and Andy Rhea into a truly unique indie/folk rock sound. Launching in the summer of 2007, this ensemble of young musical artists set forth on a mission of cultural influence through musical art. For two years, Andy Rhea and His Band, as they we known at the time, traveled throughout the mid-west playing at local venues, churches, and summer camps. Their task was simple, gather an audience who will listen, and use noise and English to illustrate and describe the REAL music that happens all around us. Throughout 2008 and the early months of 2009 Andy Rhea and His Band traveled from Hannibal to Troy to St. Louis to Kansas City to Springfield to Houston, TX and even to Grindewald, Switzerland using musical art and poetry to illuminate Christ.

In October of 2009, after many ups and downs, Andy decided that it was time to take the band to the next level. This band who was accustomed to a sparse practice and performance schedule would take some risky steps to add direction and discipline to their operation. Instead of the one to two practices a month, the band began a twice a week practice schedule that was only occasionally thwarted by the unruly Missouri winter. During these practices every nuance of the musical performance and composition was heavily scrutinized—no room was left unexplored. It was also at this time that the band began putting together their debut EP “The Hardest Questions.” To this point Andy had released two albums, “This Day” in 2005, and “Seeing and Being Seen” in 2007; however, “The Hardest Questions” would stand as the first full band collaboration—a daunting task for four individuals who brought four completely different influences to the table.

The efforts of this short journey came to fruition in February of 2010 when Andy Rhea and His Band in collaboration with Producer Kevin Gates and Engaged Audio laid down the four track EP “The Hardest Questions.” With this new album came a new name—The Corners—and a new sound; however the mission remained the same—use noise and English to illustrate and describe the REAL music that happens all around us.

On May 1, 2010, The Corners released “The Hardest Questions” on Amazon.com. Within the first 24 hours they climbed to #157 on all mp3 releases, #55 on Hot New Releases, and #1 on Movers and Shakers in overall album sales. One critic raves:

“Not only is the musical composition excellent, but the lyrical composition really helps give this album some meat. The lyrics are deep, challenging, poetic, and very catchy. These songs WILL get stuck in your head.”

The Corners will spend the summer of 2010 touring this new EP and continuing the foundational goal of culture influence through musical art.

Matt
(The Corners)

website (coming soon): www.listentothecorners.com

myspace: www.myspace.com/listentothecorners