Cedars

There are four bands by this name: 1. Home recording project from Bournemouth, England 2. A 1960s Lebanese Garage Group. 3. A local indie/folk band from Torrington, Connecticut. 4. Cedars is a band from Washington D.C. that formed in the beginning of 2004. They came together based on a shared affinity for more melodic and atmospheric music, similar to bands like Doves, Elbow, Coldplay, and U2. The band consists of four members: Brian Leatherman (vocals, guitar), Luke Mangels (keys, guitar), Francisco ?Fico? Lazzaro (bass guitar), and Ed Barnabas (drums).

The band met each other through various means, either through long standing friendships or answering classified ads. Either way, from the first note they played together, they realized they had a musical bond. The band originally went by the name of Cartel, but after much deliberation and knowing that the music was their priority, not legal conflict, they changed their name to Cedars.

With the lineup established in 2004, they recorded their first EP, Safety in Numbers. From this EP, a single (featuring ?Fleets?) was released in the UK by Bracken Records. ?Fleets? went on a successful run, selling out in many stores and gaining UK airplay. Through the EP and their hard work, they received positive press (Under the Radar, Record Collector, Washington Post, Popmatters), radio airplay (WOXY.com, XM Radio, 3WK, and college radio), growing buzz, and word of mouth both here and in the UK. Cedars have also shared the stage with bands such as Stellastarr, Editors, Giant Drag, Lake Trout, The French Kicks, The Trashcan Sinatras, and Augustana.

Cedars have recently completed their second EP, Another Season. The EP was recorded with TJ Lipple (Aloha) and Chad Clarke (Beauty Pill) at Silver Sonya studios. Another Season is a mature recording with the band becoming better songwriters and performers.

http://www.myspace.com/cedars