2nd Annual Rock the Barn concert

Columbus, Ohio’s Nick D and the Believers will take the stage for our 2nd Annual Rock the Barn concert on Saturday night, May 7 when they bring their high energy live performance to the Ross Farm for a night to remember! Come early and catch the Chatham School of Rock open the show with their most talented young rockers, the Street Team.

If you haven’t heard of Nick D & The Believers, this Sonicbids bio should bring you up to speed! Check them out, and buy your tickets in advance, only $8 through PayPal, or $10 at the door on May 7. The gates at the Ross Farm will open at 6:30 p.m. and the music will start at 7 p.m. Water and snacks will be available to purchase, and free parking will be available on-site.

Nick D and the Believers emerged onto the Ohio music scene in mid-2013. Their “woozy, new soul” (ColumbusALIVE) was quickly recognized by critics who called the band “consistently mesmerizing,” (CityBeat) and “one of the fiercest live acts.” (Ted Scheineman PASTE)

Every story is a search for something. For Nick D & The Believers their story is a search for a compromise that joins the narrative voyages of artists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen with the melody and stride of Smokey Robinson and the titans of soul.

Nick D & The Believers subscribe to the John Lennon Method: write a chorus, then make it the verse and write a better chorus. “We want to blend the two worlds of lyrics-driven folk and everyman pop hooks. We comb through every song until it doesn’t have any fat. Every moment is important. Every beat makes you want to hear more. Every line is essential,” says singer Nick D’Andrea.

D’Andrea decided to pursue the dream after a heart to heart with his uncle during a Dr. Dog concert. At the time, he was music-director of an after-school program, and he called up his friend Joseph Barker (producer/drummer) the day after the concert to ask if he wanted to create a band. Once they started the band, Nick dropped out of night school where he was going to become a teacher to pursue music.

Barker has played in as well as produced bands since he was a teenager, and he records and produces all the Believers songs. He is primarily a guitar player, so when he switched to playing drums for Nick D, he brought a producer’s mind and simple parts to the drums. He has a stripped down kit which includes huge low-tuned floor tom and just one cymbal.

“The drums end up sounding enormous and almost primal,” D’Andrea says. “Joseph keeps it simple, and that mentality goes for all of us. We’re not virtuoso players, which turns out is a benefit. It allows the band to focus on the songs and not get restless playing simple parts. The thrill is not playing faster and more complicated parts; the thrill is in the energy of the moment.”

The band taps into this energy in the live show especially. Barker says, “The Believers live show is about leaving it all on the field. We put our whole hearts into the music and do our best to take the audience on the journey with us. It’s all about striving to have great moments with the audience that they can take home with them.”

Guitarist Kerry Henderson first partnered with D’Andrea on a solo music video, later leading to his addition to the Believers. He too has played in bands since his teenage years, but especially loves playing in the Believers since the band is a stripped down three piece. Henderson says, “Everything is simple and raw, that’s how we work. Joseph plays with a three-piece kit and Nick only has an octave and a half of keys to work with. Those limitations force us to be creative, force us to focus on good songwriting and energy-filled live performances.”

Barker adds, “The Black Keys are certainly an influence across the board too. Sonically their big drums and guitar rock with hooky riffs and literary lyrics is similar to our sound. They’re also Ohio boys like us, with a gritty heartland feel. They have a sort of warmth and community that they create around them. They’re casual, fun regular Midwest guys who happen to put on a killer rock show. We like that style.”

D’Andrea says “Ohio has a dirtier sound that’s not glamorous, we leave that grit in the music. Lyrically, it’s not all sunshine, there’s a tinge of angst and cynicism.”

Nick D and The Believers have had songs on national TV shows such as Pretty Little Liars (ABC), About a Boy (NBC), and Benched (USA). The band released their second EP, Bang Bang, in August 2014. They are currently touring as well as recording songs for their next EP.

Doors at 6:30 p.m., music at 7 p.m.

$8 in advance, via PayPal, $10 at the door.