Pompeii

Genre: Rock Hometown: Austin TX
www.myspace.com/pompeii

Wednesday, March 15   12:00 a.m.
Redrum   (401 Sabine St)

Add this to your SXSW Calendar

Devoted fathers, loving daughters, best friends and lovers; these are the fibers that entwine Pompeii together, ones that fail to be weakened or compromised. Barely peeking a two-year lifespan, the five members of Pompeii have managed to construct a monument of evocative emotion, ambitious sound and infinite vision. Their foundation is a solid work of desire and commitment, the rest, held cohesive by the undeniable talent and passion of Dean Stafford (vocals, guitar), Erik Johnson (guitar), Caitlin Bailey (cello), Rob Davidson (drums) and Shane Stevens (bass).
With enough bands that have a pocket book for backing, or the even more preferred gimmick, the quality that prevails over time is the rare, raw talent of making music that has the gift of appeasing not only the ears, but the heart, mind and soul. Pompeii has quietly and seductively entered the company of innovators like Matt Pond PA and the Gloria Record, with a mild whisper, giving their music the chance to make the name Pompeii come to life.
With the demos circulating, and a peppering of shows in 2004 and into early 2005, it was inevitable for their light verses dark motif of music to draw in the attention to steadily become a local favorite in their comfort zone of Austin, TX. With murmurs of Coldplay comparisons and even bolder resemblances to Death Cab For Cutie, Pompeii brings a vulnerability of emotion that can, at the same time, leave you void of feeling, forcing you to relearn every emotion you ever knew. The characteristics of these five individuals bring together a single life, shared by each. The intellect of Stafford’s vocals, have powered by a backbone of solid rhythm and melody, this otherwise ambient five-piece has a natural ability to make even the most mundane seem epic.
To follow Pompeii’s calm beginnings, was their SXSW showcase spot, which peaked the interest of Eyeball Records owner, Alex Saavedra. In the time it took Pompeii to eloquently turn out their handful of songs, the agreement had been made that Eyeball would be their new home. With a full-length, produced by D. James Goodwin (Murder by Death, Sleep Station) and set for a summer 2006 release, the members of Pompeii have managed to sustain a grounded life—that is, in fact, part of their charm.