Soul of the River
Funky Rock Grooves
Calendar
Groups (1)
Members
Brett Dawson
Rene Felix
Steve Hansen
Rene Felix
Steve Hansen
Influences
Rolling Stones, Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Nick Drake, Dave Matthews Band, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Keys, Shins.
Sounds like
Cake, Minutemen, Jack Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Sublime, Dispatch, Ben Harper, Phish, Lenny Kravitz.
Soul of the River -
Chillin like Bob Dylan.
Recent Activity
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Bio
We have free downloads of more songs, live shows, and interviews etc at www.souloftheriver.com there's no requirement for sign up or anything. No strings attached. No catch. If you would like a free CD mailed to you just sign the mailing list go to www.souloftheriver.com and submit to the mailing list. Make sure to catch a show, and when you do, say hi.
Created around freestyle songwriting sessions around a fire pit, Soul of the River was formed in June 2002. Out of Southern California, Soul of the River creates an unusual blend of songs that immediately grab the listener. Steve Hansen's abstract yet funky basslines take a lead voice in the music and effectively compliment the overall song instead of coming off as too strange and abrasive. Rene Felix has the unique blend of funky, shuffle drumming style, with the punch of John Bonham and the thunder of Steward Copeland, that creates a one of a kind sound that makes the most avid hip hop or country listener rock out and get down. Brett Dawson, brings a melodic vocal, and groove based guitar style that ranges from laid back funk to raging intensity. This unique blend of styles playing great original songs guaranteed to make even the harshest critic love, is the perfect formula to create the eargasmic sound of Soul of the River.
Created around freestyle songwriting sessions around a fire pit, Soul of the River was formed in June 2002. Out of Southern California, Soul of the River creates an unusual blend of songs that immediately grab the listener. Steve Hansen's abstract yet funky basslines take a lead voice in the music and effectively compliment the overall song instead of coming off as too strange and abrasive. Rene Felix has the unique blend of funky, shuffle drumming style, with the punch of John Bonham and the thunder of Steward Copeland, that creates a one of a kind sound that makes the most avid hip hop or country listener rock out and get down. Brett Dawson, brings a melodic vocal, and groove based guitar style that ranges from laid back funk to raging intensity. This unique blend of styles playing great original songs guaranteed to make even the harshest critic love, is the perfect formula to create the eargasmic sound of Soul of the River.
Press Reviews
Soul of the River IE WEEKLY May 22, 2008
BAND OF THE WEEK
By: Jessica Bell , Kady Bell
CITY OF ORIGIN: Riverside
MEMBERS: Brett Dawson (vocals/guitar); Steve Hansen (vocals/bass); Rene Felix (vocals/drums).
RECENT RELEASE: Soul of the River Free EP (2006)/Soul of the River (not yet released).
KINDRED SPIRITS: Minutemen, Jack Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, Sublime, Dispatch,
Firehose, Pearl Jam, jamming, real Riverside people making real Riverside music, the Santa Ana River.
WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/souloftheriver
If only session time at Riverside’s Sound Sanctuary was lay-away-able, Soul of the River might have
already mastered its 16-song self-titled debut, might’ve already been sharing “pure eargasmic joy” with
us 909ers from the depths of the good ol’ Santa Ana. It’s a magic river, Mama, or at least we gather there’
s something in that waterway nourishing the Inland Empire (hence the band’s name). Either way, music is
a labor of love for this trio and work a labor of affording all the music-making, even if it means driving a
jalopy (Hyundai) until all debts are paid and the album’s finally made. The business of recording’s
seriously paycheck expending, so it’s a good thing SOTR’s not in it for the bread—the whole band just
likes to jam.
“We would sit around at parties and the guys would break out guitars, and rap . . . it was improvisational
rap, or free styling,” singer Brett Dawson says. “Once people got enough alcohol in their systems, they’d
start singing, and we’d make up songs on the spot. One of our friends talked us into rehearsing
regularly—a new concept to us—and it kind of took off from that.”
So SOTR’s been called “funky rock” or “just a jam band” since forming in 2002, but, really, they’re all
about soul—and a little improvisation, termed “musical ESP.” It’s as “if Jack Johnson wrote songs and the
Red Hot Chili Peppers played them, with Eddie Vedder singing, except I’m not that good,” Dawson says.
True, songs like “Sweet as the Sky” and “We’ve Gone Crazy” remind us of a Pearl Jam beach party, if
Vedder turned surfer-bro (brohan?), that is, but we’d nip the Curious George affiliation in the bubbly-toe.
Nearly a year’s passed during SOTR’s endless save/record/save process, garnering sufficient material
(including jams about real Riverside people) for a double-disc—but one’s proved trouble enough. At this
point only money-will-tell when the unusually long debut will, well, debut. Luckily, for those 909ers who
need the “eargasmic joy” now, freebie samplers (a five-song-EP released in 2006) can be easily collected
by show or mail and downloaded on just about every music networking-site (ILike, Soundclick, Facebook,
you name it).
Meanwhile we await the newest results of the Wash (doesn’t anyone call the Santa Ana that, anymore?)
and hope bread floats to the soul of Riverside—you know, to feed the jam.
–Jessica and Kady Bell
Soul of the River will be performing at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life show at La Sierra High
School, Riverside, May 31. Donation fee $10
Group Traces its Roots to Party Jams
BAND PROFILE: Soul of the River
By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise
Who: Brett Dawson, vocals and guitar; Steve Hansen, bass; and Rene Felix, drums.
From: Riverside
Formed: 2002
Sounds like: Fans of bands including Jimmie's Chicken Shack, the Black Keys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers can dig
these guys. Throw in a touch of jam band-ness (in a Jack Johnson way, not in a bad way), and there you have it.
Listen to "BSide to Honky Tonk Woman," and be sure to check out "We've Gone Crazy" -- it includes a lyric about
Wheat Thins.
Soul of the River is made up of, from left, Steve Hansen, bass; Brett Dawson, guitar and vocals; and Rene Felix,
drums. (Special to The Press-Enterprise)
Releases: A full-length album is coming in 2008.
Sample the music: www.myspace.com/souloftheriver
Web site: www.souloftheriver.com
Riverside's Soul of the River has its roots in parties, which makes sense when you hear the groove-laden rock sound
of the band.
"We would always jam -- just goof around at parties and stuff," said singer-guitarist Brett Dawson.
Sitting around the fire, the friends would just play songs and try to get everybody to join in. Those impromptu jams
turned into Soul of the River.
The band has been working on its full-length album at Sound Sanctuary Recording Studio in Riverside.
Dawson said the plan is to have 16 tracks when it's finished. The band has been saving up money and recording a
couple of songs at a time.
Whenever the band finishes some songs, it will put together a CD to hand out for free at shows and pretty much
wherever it goes.
"Most of the songs I think I just write on my own -- a bare-bones sort of thing," Dawson said.
The band then works it out in practice.
"We're really, really good at jamming," he said, quickly adding that Soul of the River is not the typical jam band.
"It's more like if a Beastie Boys DJ were to play a set and go from song to song," he said. "There aren't 15-minute
guitar solos."
Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575, at vfranko@PE.com or www.myspace.com/Audio_File
Posted by Vanessa Franko at 9:28 AM, November 21
August 8, 2006 Louisville Music News
Soulful. And Funky. And Rockin'.
Soul Of The River (Independent)
Soul Of The River
By Leslie Ritchie
"Oh to think Mr. McDoodle / What will happen if there's no music for your noodle? / Don't you fret, the funky
rock grooves I will deliver / I will bring forth, The Soul Of the River."
Formed in 2002 in Southern California, these funk rockers create one unusual sound that will grab your
attention in a second. The band consists of three effective guys: Brett Dawson, the man who brings the
melodic vocals and guitar playing to this single. Rene Felix is the drummer, while Steve Hansen rocks out on
bass.
This self-titled release has three very upbeat, blood-pumping tunes, so the music scene can get prepared
for their upcoming album.
The first song, "B-side to the Honky Tonk Woman," put a smile on my face. It's a different sound that cannot
be explained. The sound is one of a kind, that could make everyone from hard rockers to country fans rock
out and get down.
"Daylight Honey" would have to be the most outstanding song listened to. It's not your everyday love song,
with the tune's higher beat and the more passionate lyrics. "They Just Don't Get It," the last track on the CD,
is a little different then the others, reminding me of an upbeat remix of a television theme song.
Soul of the River has created an unusual blend of songs that will immediately grab the attention of all
listeners. The music on this CD is highly addicting and recommended, because of the different sound and
passion throughout the CD.
You can listen to the funky grooves of Soul Of the River online at http://www.myspace.com/souloftheriver.
http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=49&storyid=3929
BAND OF THE WEEK
By: Jessica Bell , Kady Bell
CITY OF ORIGIN: Riverside
MEMBERS: Brett Dawson (vocals/guitar); Steve Hansen (vocals/bass); Rene Felix (vocals/drums).
RECENT RELEASE: Soul of the River Free EP (2006)/Soul of the River (not yet released).
KINDRED SPIRITS: Minutemen, Jack Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, Sublime, Dispatch,
Firehose, Pearl Jam, jamming, real Riverside people making real Riverside music, the Santa Ana River.
WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/souloftheriver
If only session time at Riverside’s Sound Sanctuary was lay-away-able, Soul of the River might have
already mastered its 16-song self-titled debut, might’ve already been sharing “pure eargasmic joy” with
us 909ers from the depths of the good ol’ Santa Ana. It’s a magic river, Mama, or at least we gather there’
s something in that waterway nourishing the Inland Empire (hence the band’s name). Either way, music is
a labor of love for this trio and work a labor of affording all the music-making, even if it means driving a
jalopy (Hyundai) until all debts are paid and the album’s finally made. The business of recording’s
seriously paycheck expending, so it’s a good thing SOTR’s not in it for the bread—the whole band just
likes to jam.
“We would sit around at parties and the guys would break out guitars, and rap . . . it was improvisational
rap, or free styling,” singer Brett Dawson says. “Once people got enough alcohol in their systems, they’d
start singing, and we’d make up songs on the spot. One of our friends talked us into rehearsing
regularly—a new concept to us—and it kind of took off from that.”
So SOTR’s been called “funky rock” or “just a jam band” since forming in 2002, but, really, they’re all
about soul—and a little improvisation, termed “musical ESP.” It’s as “if Jack Johnson wrote songs and the
Red Hot Chili Peppers played them, with Eddie Vedder singing, except I’m not that good,” Dawson says.
True, songs like “Sweet as the Sky” and “We’ve Gone Crazy” remind us of a Pearl Jam beach party, if
Vedder turned surfer-bro (brohan?), that is, but we’d nip the Curious George affiliation in the bubbly-toe.
Nearly a year’s passed during SOTR’s endless save/record/save process, garnering sufficient material
(including jams about real Riverside people) for a double-disc—but one’s proved trouble enough. At this
point only money-will-tell when the unusually long debut will, well, debut. Luckily, for those 909ers who
need the “eargasmic joy” now, freebie samplers (a five-song-EP released in 2006) can be easily collected
by show or mail and downloaded on just about every music networking-site (ILike, Soundclick, Facebook,
you name it).
Meanwhile we await the newest results of the Wash (doesn’t anyone call the Santa Ana that, anymore?)
and hope bread floats to the soul of Riverside—you know, to feed the jam.
–Jessica and Kady Bell
Soul of the River will be performing at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life show at La Sierra High
School, Riverside, May 31. Donation fee $10
Group Traces its Roots to Party Jams
BAND PROFILE: Soul of the River
By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise
Who: Brett Dawson, vocals and guitar; Steve Hansen, bass; and Rene Felix, drums.
From: Riverside
Formed: 2002
Sounds like: Fans of bands including Jimmie's Chicken Shack, the Black Keys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers can dig
these guys. Throw in a touch of jam band-ness (in a Jack Johnson way, not in a bad way), and there you have it.
Listen to "BSide to Honky Tonk Woman," and be sure to check out "We've Gone Crazy" -- it includes a lyric about
Wheat Thins.
Soul of the River is made up of, from left, Steve Hansen, bass; Brett Dawson, guitar and vocals; and Rene Felix,
drums. (Special to The Press-Enterprise)
Releases: A full-length album is coming in 2008.
Sample the music: www.myspace.com/souloftheriver
Web site: www.souloftheriver.com
Riverside's Soul of the River has its roots in parties, which makes sense when you hear the groove-laden rock sound
of the band.
"We would always jam -- just goof around at parties and stuff," said singer-guitarist Brett Dawson.
Sitting around the fire, the friends would just play songs and try to get everybody to join in. Those impromptu jams
turned into Soul of the River.
The band has been working on its full-length album at Sound Sanctuary Recording Studio in Riverside.
Dawson said the plan is to have 16 tracks when it's finished. The band has been saving up money and recording a
couple of songs at a time.
Whenever the band finishes some songs, it will put together a CD to hand out for free at shows and pretty much
wherever it goes.
"Most of the songs I think I just write on my own -- a bare-bones sort of thing," Dawson said.
The band then works it out in practice.
"We're really, really good at jamming," he said, quickly adding that Soul of the River is not the typical jam band.
"It's more like if a Beastie Boys DJ were to play a set and go from song to song," he said. "There aren't 15-minute
guitar solos."
Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575, at vfranko@PE.com or www.myspace.com/Audio_File
Posted by Vanessa Franko at 9:28 AM, November 21
August 8, 2006 Louisville Music News
Soulful. And Funky. And Rockin'.
Soul Of The River (Independent)
Soul Of The River
By Leslie Ritchie
"Oh to think Mr. McDoodle / What will happen if there's no music for your noodle? / Don't you fret, the funky
rock grooves I will deliver / I will bring forth, The Soul Of the River."
Formed in 2002 in Southern California, these funk rockers create one unusual sound that will grab your
attention in a second. The band consists of three effective guys: Brett Dawson, the man who brings the
melodic vocals and guitar playing to this single. Rene Felix is the drummer, while Steve Hansen rocks out on
bass.
This self-titled release has three very upbeat, blood-pumping tunes, so the music scene can get prepared
for their upcoming album.
The first song, "B-side to the Honky Tonk Woman," put a smile on my face. It's a different sound that cannot
be explained. The sound is one of a kind, that could make everyone from hard rockers to country fans rock
out and get down.
"Daylight Honey" would have to be the most outstanding song listened to. It's not your everyday love song,
with the tune's higher beat and the more passionate lyrics. "They Just Don't Get It," the last track on the CD,
is a little different then the others, reminding me of an upbeat remix of a television theme song.
Soul of the River has created an unusual blend of songs that will immediately grab the attention of all
listeners. The music on this CD is highly addicting and recommended, because of the different sound and
passion throughout the CD.
You can listen to the funky grooves of Soul Of the River online at http://www.myspace.com/souloftheriver.
http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=49&storyid=3929
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