Low Roar

Members: Ryan Joseph Karazija Record Label:Tonequake (U.S.) From San Francisco but lives Reykjav?k, Iceland Low Roar is a response to the unknown; a vivid portrait of those life-altering moments stained with equal parts hope and melancholy. Project of Ryan Karazija, formerly of Audrye Sessions (Black Seal), Low Roar is the incarnation of change, atmosphere, and loneliness after a move from San Francisco, California to Reykjav?k, Iceland.

Record Label:Tonequake (U.S.)
From San Francisco but lives Reykjav?k, Iceland

Low Roar is a response to the unknown; a vivid portrait of those life-altering moments stained with equal parts hope and melancholy. Project of Ryan Karazija, formerly of Audrye Sessions (Black Seal), Low Roar is the incarnation of change, atmosphere, and loneliness after a move from San Francisco, California to Reykjav?k, Iceland. His self-titled emotive, twelve song debut chronicles the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land and is an honest depiction of the struggles to acclimate, find work, and support his family in the Icelandic winter. The album's opening lyrics 'I won't wake a wealthy man someday, cause the sun don't follow me' begin to tell Low Roar's story.

Low Roar draws from ambient influences, especially on single, "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight," a sultry electro-washed song, recalling late 90's era Radiohead. The album takes the listener on Karazija's unsettled journey conveying emotion with yearning choruses and haunting strings in simple, yet stark, classical arrangements, alongside optimistic melodies and folk-styled songs. Combining elements of post rock with minimalist tones and sonically aligning with the change and introversion of fall, Low Roar released on November 1st, 2011, by Tonequake Records.

Adding players J?l?us ?ttar Bj?rgvinsson and Katie Buckley to the live show, Low Roar slowly reveals a beautiful and powerful set consisting of loops and layers of instrumentation including guitar, harp, pump organ, percussion and keys ? at times, a combination capable of evoking tears.

"Ryan has always made pretty music. Sad music, but pretty. What I love about Low Roar is the way he has given himself over to the inherent melancholy in his songs. Gone are his winter-y impulses, replaced by oranges and light reds. I think he wears a sweater much better than a coat. It's a beautiful record." - Richard Edwards of Margot and the NuclearSo & So's.