Wooden Rings, a project from Haitian immigrant Ramah Jihan Malebranche, is new to the triangle. Ramah blends progressive folk and rock into lush, original compositions, crafting poignant songs that resonate deeply. Amidst personal upheaval, Ramah began writing music while working construction in 2010, leading to the formation of Wooden Rings—a delicate acoustic chamber group aiming to captivate intimate venues. Their journey included attention-grabbing EPs like “Wooden Rings” (2012) and “Twisted & Tangled” (2013), spotlighted by WBEZ/NPR. After a hiatus, Wooden Rings returned in 2015 with an electric format captured on vinyl “Heliocentric,” released just before the pandemic.
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During the tumult of his divorce in 2010, Ramah Jihan Malebranche found solace and inspiration amidst the labor of his construction work, where he began composing music. His artistic endeavors soon coalesced into Wooden Rings, an acoustic chamber ensemble renowned for its poignant and delicate musical fusion. Their aspiration was nothing short of enchanting audiences within intimate venues, weaving melodies that resonate deeply within the soul.
In 2012, Wooden Rings unveiled their inaugural EP, aptly titled “Wooden Rings,” which garnered significant local acclaim. The following year saw the release of “Twisted & Tangled,” a collaborative effort recorded at Electrical Audio, catapulting the band into the spotlight with a feature on WBEZ/NPR. Support from the City of Chicago facilitated their artistic journey, culminating in the creation and release of “Twisted & Tangled.”
Though the group temporarily disbanded to pursue personal endeavors, the spirit of Wooden Rings endured. In 2015, Ramah spearheaded the ensemble’s revival, infusing it with fresh vigor and a louder musical palette. Their debut single, “Sunrise,” earned accolades, including a feature in the esteemed pages of the Chicago Tribune, praising the group’s distinctive sound as emblematic of the city’s musical ethos.
With a fluid lineup drawn from Chicago’s vibrant music scene, Wooden Rings embarked on a transformative journey, culminating in the production of their full-length vinyl album, “Heliocentric.” Collaborating with esteemed industry figures such as Grammy Award winner James Auwarter and Byron Harden of ISee Music, and fierce engineer, Mark Yosizumi, Ramah realized his vision with unwavering dedication. The project received further validation through support from the 3Arts Foundation and enthusiastic contributions from their devoted fanbase.
Looking ahead, Ramah is poised for continued artistic evolution but invested sharing the music written in Chicago with new audiences in North Carolina, his new home as of 2023. Ramah is eagerly anticipating future collaborations and the opportunity to share Wooden Rings’ evocative music with audiences of listeners.
