NELO

NELO

Nelo formed officially in late 2005 after Matt Ragland and Reid Umstattd, who were college roommates, graduated from the University of Texas. After formation, the band spent not quite a couple years in Athens, GA and then moved back home to Austin, TX to start recording and touring. Picking up new fans one by one along the way, Nelo has shown that the grassroots approach still does work. On top of working its way into playing regularly at large venues in Texas like The House of Blues (Dallas and Houston), Granada Theatre (Dallas), Antones (Austin) and more, the band has also played in the Austin City Limits and South by Southwest music festivals. Nelo has supported acts like Sister Hazel, Ghostland Observatory, Everclear, Pat Green, Bob Schneider and more and has also recorded with Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt) and C.J. Ericksson (U2, Steve Lillywhite).

Each member of Nelo brings a vital component to the eclectic nature of the band and that certain je ne sais quoi element their music possesses. Matt Ragland composes and creates, while adding a dynamic depth to the music through piano and rhythm guitar. Reid Umstattd provides the soulful and inimitable lead vocals, characteristic to only Nelo. Brian Donohoe diversifies the mix with supportive keyboard and virtuosic saxophone. Sean Jacobi shapes the melody's backbone with clear attention to musical detail and dynamics on the bass guitar, and Ryan Jacobi confidently drives each song with his own brand of charisma and energy on the drums.

Today diehard fans can finally get their Nelo fix from "Ordinary Scene", Nelo's new 2nd album, which is anything but ordinary. Nelo staked the #21 spot on both the Billboard Magazine "New Artist Album" and Heatseekers charts with their self-titled debut album, and it is no doubt "Ordinary Scene", their most dynamic work yet, is on its way to surpassing the underground legacy. "Ordinary Scene" debuted at #3 on the top rock albums chart on Itunes. Determined to do this one right, songwriter Matt Ragland produced the record himself, and the band made no compromises in the recording process. Tunes as indelibly catchy as "Hey Birdie" and "Do You Love Me" demand to be heard and enjoyed more frequently than even the most hard-gigging of bands can accommodate — and computer speakers just don't do justice to tunes this organically structured. Gritty, colorful and textural, one can find something new in the music with every listen. The result: an album you like more and more each time you hear it. "Ordinary Scene" eloquently packages a seamless instrumental mix of rock, pop, and jazz that is thoughtfully woven into an experience that will leave listeners soaring. Nelo's ability to matchlessly combine these multi-genre elements is what seduces the cravings of their fanatic followers. The composition and the lyrics join forces to take the listener on a journey of discovery and growth, while, according to Soundcheck Magazine, still maintaining the ability to be "perfect as a soundtrack to a river float or a tailgate party before a football game."

Much like the music itself, the main lyrical theme found clearly in the title track and consistently throughout the album dives deep into the human experience. When asked about the album's title track, Ragland explains: "The 'ordinary scene' is the scene in which you see that person you love everyday- in the same context, same clothes, same hours of the day, same backdrop etc. It's frustrating when the initial spark of newness with someone is gone. But somehow in so many cases the love deepens and authenticates when things settle down a bit. It's as if the old blinding spark is replaced by a warm and consistent glow. And it's more powerful than before. You can't really find it amidst the whirlwind of buzz in a brand new love. It only happens inside of an 'ordinary scene'. I think I kind of talk about or around this idea throughout the whole record." Ragland jokes: "I need to take my own advice!"

After touring in support of "Ordinary Scene", the band went straight back into the studio to record an impromtu live session that would later be called "Old Friends... (Live at Pedernales Studio)". The live E.P. consisted of previously recorded material and was intended as a lead-in to the next record. Much of the session was filmed and the band leaked some of the videos on YouTube shortly after filming. On February 28, 2012 Nelo independently released "Old Friends... (Live at Pedernales Studio)".

After releasing "Old Friends... (Live at Pedernales Studio)", the band headed straight back into the studio again to record a new full-length record with all new song that Ragland had written over the previous year. This time, recording with drummer Dave Sierra, and guitarist/bassist, Chris McQueen, planned what could easily be described as a long, but fruitful recording process. Recording and touring throughout 2012, the band decided to record the record in small spurts when off the road. The new record is scheduled to be released on May 7, 2012, and it's clear that the band can hardly wait. There is still work to be done on the project and the band is currently acquiring funds to finish the project. Accoring to Ragland, "This is the best thing we've ever done as a band and we haven't even finished! I can't even begin to explain how excited we are to release this record. It shows all of us in our best light, doing exactly what we do best." May 7th, 2013 is the date.

"Old Friends... (Live at Pedernales Studio)", "Ordinary Scene", "Two Years Ago E.P." are available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon, and tour dates can be found at www.nelomusic.com. What's most remarkable of all when it comes to this band is the fact that when listening to their music, for all the years that these guys have played together, for all the thousands of fans they've already won through literally hundreds of shows and word-of-mouth-fueled grassroots enthusiasm, one gets the distinct feeling that Nelo's journey has only just begun.