“Finding Me” by Wooden Rings

“Finding Me” by Wooden Rings 2012 from Ramah Jihan on Vimeo.

A big “thank you” to Dan Finnen and Derek Cox at Distract Chicago for shooting this charming video all in one night. Fellow makers, these guys are very professional, a breeze to work with, and fantastically creative. See you guys at the Winter Show at Fitzgerald’s this Thursday 12.13.2012 We love it! WR

The Winter Show

I’d like to announce this as our final show of the year 2012 and our only show on the books until Brett and Justin’s babies are delivered. It has been a fantastic year for us playing this touching music. Please come and bring a friend to share the night. We will be giving buttons away and maybe some downloads. All good stuff. Warmly, Ramah David Jihan Malebranche of Wooden Rings

Acoustic Chamber Pop at Pig N Weasel

Combine the sensibilities, energy and angst of pop music with traditionally ‘classical’ instruments and musical techniques in contemporary settings, and you have it: Chamber pop rocks! Its sound and thoughtful lyrics wrap around us and bring us to unfamiliar but captivating places. We are excited to be able to present to you two of Chicago’s finest Chamber Pop groups, each with very-different approaches: the Wooden Rings and Renegade Lightning Rebellion. Please explore their work below and SPREAD THE WORD! Come make make your own Wooden Rings poster! Using materials that we purchased with our CAAP grant, we will be providing templates, surfaces, and implements for you to make your own Wooden Rings posters. Bring some wine to this clandestine secret spot in the heart of Evanston and let us play our gripping music for you. When you are done get you hands dirty and take home a poster of your own design. All that we ask is that you allow us to take a photo or scan of your design for our online poster wall. Don’t worry if it’s wonky, it won’t have your name on it (but love it, cause it’s yours). woodenrings renegade lightning rebellion Because seating is limited, reservations are recommended. Email us to let us know you’re coming at: [email protected] Open seats will be offered to walk-ins 10 mins prior to the first set.

WTTW Interview

Chicago Tonight Culture Web Extra: Profile of Local Band Wooden Rings to perform at Lakeview East Festival of the Arts Lindsay Prossnitz | September 7, 2012 12:45 pm Local band Wooden Rings is performing this weekend at the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts. This four-member ensemble is starting to make waves with their unique, eclectic sound that was recently showcased on XRT’s Local Anesthetic show. The band is comprised of Ramah Jihan on vocals and lead guitar, Justin Rodig on supporting vocals, clarinet, banjo and bells, Brett Bakshis on electric bass and Marissa Deitz on cello. Watch a sneak preview of the band’s performances and listen to the members talk about getting their music off the ground, including securing grant money from the Community Arts Assistance Program. Thank you Lindsay and WTTW for your article and for profiling our project so well. Ramah Jihan Malebranche of Wooden Rings

DOWNLOAD: 93.WXRT Interview with Ramah Jihan

>>Link to 93WXRT interview page >>Link to the Free interview download In case you missed it, this is an informative interview with Wooden Strings’ guitarist/vocalist and principal songwriter Ramah Jihan about the inspiration for the band’s debut, securing grant money to record and the band’s unusual instrumentation. The Local Anesthetic playlist for Sunday 8.12.12 with special guests, Wooden Rings. Featured Songs Wooden Rings – To Let You Go Wooden Rings – The Crash Wooden Rings – Bated Breath Wooden Rings – The Long Way WXRT showing some love for the record Wooden Rings. “There’s a feeling of light footsteps on a forest floor to the sound of Wooden Rings‘ eponymous debut. Kind of like the purpose of getting thru these woods is to do so as quietly as possible. I don’t hear it so much as an attempt to avoid disturbing the forest and it’s plants and creatures but in an effort to more closely be at one with the surroundings. Deep, huh? Yeah, I can fool ya sometimes but I love the gentleness of this record as much as I’m taken with it’s heart and soul. Can’t quite commit to saying it’ll be an Anesthetic Best Of for 2012 but it won’t be to far out of the running. Ramah Jihan is the principal songwriter, vocalist and guitarist in Wooden Rings (with one track composed by multi-instrumentalist Justin Rodig) but this is a full band effort. No electric guitar/bass/drum outfit here, though. Nylon string guitar, cello, banjo, bells, clarinet, and electric bass all blend nicely to create that walk-softly-in-the-forest sound. No other band I know of in Chicago sounds quite like Wooden Rings and that alone should intrigue you to tune in for music and conversation with Ramah Jihan of Wooden Rings on this week’s Local Anesthetic, Sunday night at 7:30, here on XRT.”- Richard Milne

Lightbox Session Video

Thanks to the great taste and work by Matt Livensparger and Lightbox Session founder, Erick Memmesheimer, we have a new Lightbox Sessions video with a few songs and a meandering interview. We were so excited to be a part of such a great collection of artists, interviewed and tape in a raw, honest, and intimate light.

Lightbox Sessions: Wooden Rings from Lightbox Productions on Vimeo.

Pick a Color T- Shirts

Wooden Rings will be selling beautifully screen printed T-shirts at the CD release show on Saturday night at Schubas Tavern. Not only will you be able to pick up an album score, download cards poorman’s-score, and buttons bonus, now you can swipe a comfy T too double bonus. All thanks to Marissa Deitz and the illustrious, Amanda Worrell.

Record Release Party w/ Canasta [10th Anniversary]

Cheers: To everyone that has gone out of their way and taken a moment to listen to our music and to our troubles, who helped when times were hard, and who share our work and stories with others, tonight we toast to you. Please pick up a copy of the disk for yourselves and or grab a copy for someone that you know that needs to hear it. CDs, download cards, and pins will be for sale. Canasta will be celebrating their 10th year together boasting albums, many reviews, friends, and even a crazy trip to Mongolia. Wooden Rings/Record Release Show Canasta (10th Anniversary Show!) Schuba’s Tavern 3159 N. Southport, Chicago IL Saturday, June 2nd 9PM/$12/18+ You can always find us on bandcamp to stream or download as well. woodenrings.bandcamp.com woodenringsmusic.com canastamusic.com This project is partially supported by a Community Arts Assistance Project grant from the city of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Community Arts Assistance Program Grant

DCASE
Wooden Rings has been honored with the coveted Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) grant, offered through a collaboration between The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. This is a reimbursement grant that will help us cover some costs with recording and mastering our album, Wooden Rings, as well as a project of charcoal rubbings that will accompany our live performances. We are very humbled and would like to thank our friends and family members, the fine folks at Chicago Artist Resource (CAR), and of course, our beloved City of Chicago.