This Way To The Egress - Great Balancing Act (2015)

Since their start in 2008, EGRESS has been told to find a box in which they could fit themselves; however, one needs a rather large box to fit six musicians—and their array of accordions, tubas, guitars, trombones, pianos, and drums. So they haven’t bothered trying and instead they move forth doing what they do best; cascading onto the stage in an explosion of sound and color that’s equal parts unruly vaudeville, ebullient world beat band and three ring circus music. The six-person troupe plays a swooning amalgamation of styles that catapults the audience through time and space with unexpected shifts of styles and time signatures.

Confetti snowstorms, tuba farts, Balinese chanting, fire wielding evangelists and puppets sweep across the stage creating a jubilant, anything goes atmosphere, anchored by the band’s superlative songwriting skills and sterling musicianship. Accordion, violin and tuba aren’t instruments you usually find fronting a rock band, but This Way to the EGRESS uses them to give the music unexpected textures, while retaining a propulsive beat and generating enough energy to light up a small city. This has led to them being known for their energetic and infectious live shows which parallel their greatest influences such as Primus, Tom Waits, The Flaming Lips, Gogol Bordello, Madonna, Django Reinhardt, Queen, and Die Antwoord. All fluff aside though, you have to hear it to understand it. They are known in their circle as rascals with big hearts and a wild sense of humor.

Hailing from Bethlehem, PA, EGRESS was founded by front man Taylor Galassi and has been touring nationally as a unit since 2010. This has expanded their reach to the four corners of the country and earning a reputation as “audible pilgrims of the road.” Having played over 400 shows across the U.S. and sailing into international waters in 2013, their continued momentum has established them as a musical powerhouse while building a very enthusiastic and loyal fan base both at home and abroad.

In between their breakneck touring schedule they have managed to self-release three full length albums and three EPs, releasing new material to their fans every year. This Way to the EGRESS’ 2015 release Great Balancing Act was the third full length release by the band. EGRESS fans rallied to their side and contributed to the release through the crowdsourcing platform Kickstarter. After raising more than a quarter of their goal in the first hour of launch, they reached out to visionary NYC-based producer, Roger Greenawalt, known for his work with artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Philip Glass, Iggy Pop and many others. The album was recorded and mixed at his 366Visions Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The milestones EGRESS has reached as a fully independent band have made their name a sort of currency while their reputation of being “easy to work with” and “on the ball” has landed them as official SESAC artists as well as a feature in The New York Times. They’ve played at some of the country’s leading festivals, conferences, and venues such as Musikfest (PA), Dewey Beach Music Conference (DE), Launch Music Conference (PA), Storyville Rising (NOLA) Festival of Doom (SC), Make Music Philly, DayLife NYC, DragonCon (ATL), Webster Hall (NYC), World Cafe Live (Philadelphia), Trocadero, Philadelphia and the Kennedy Center For The Arts (DC). In 2011, EGRESS was tapped by Projekt Records artist, author, and “Bud Bowl” animator Voltaire for his national tour with EGRESS acting as both his main support and backing band. In the words of one blogger and longtime Voltaire fan, “This Way to the Egress’ universal talents greatly filled out Voltaire’s sound as his backing band.” Upon returning home from their national tour in 2013, EGRESS has been taking their home town of Bethlehem, PA by storm leading to features in the largest regional and city papers (The Morning Call and The Express Times), headlining festivals such as Musikfest, ArtsFest, winning The MayFair Battle of the Bands competition, and landing spots opening for national touring acts such as “Here Come the Mummies”.

The band’s ambition has sent them to many places around the nation and given them radio play as far away as Germany, UK, Sweden, Mexico and Argentina. EGRESS has reached all of these milestones from years of dedication, hard work, and as a fully independent entity.

Tracklist:

1. This Way to the EGRESS - Let's Not Pretend 04:25
2. So It Goes 04:24
3. Earworm 04:10
4. What Do Ya Want 04:21
5. Tarantella 03:03
6. You Never Know 03:23
7. This Side of Jordan 03:42
8. Devil's Breath 03:59
9. Rogue Trip 03:35
10. Not Around 04:52
11. We Won't Go 04:08
12. Lucy 03:51