Local Band Releases First Recording

The Levee, composed of bassist Michael Stallings, drummer Kyle Schumacher, guitarist Tucker Richmond and Brandon Funk, said they hope to offer listeners something that no other band can. Having just released their first recording of 14 songs on May 20, The Levee is looking to impress fans with honest lyrics and a completely self-produced CD.

Funk said everyone has the same experiences, and The Levee endeavors to share those experiences through music.

The band's first recording, The Sound of The Levee, was written, recorded and produced by band members, primarily Schumacher.

“We're really happy with it," Funk said. "We did the best that we could with what we had. Getting that quality alone out of a bedroom was hard, but Kyle could do it."

The album was self-produced all the way down to the packaging, which band members cut, stamped and put together 500 copies of the CD. A friend provided the watercolor design for the front of the cover. 

Funk describes The Levee's unique sound as rock and roll, but said there are many influences that help shape the band's musical style.

“One thing that makes our music diverse is that everybody has tons of influences," Funk said. "My drummer listens to all kinds of music, like punk rock or hardcore music. My guitar player drools over John Mayer, but what guitar player can't. It's nice to have everybody listening to something different."

Funk and his band live to play live, and they strive to put on the best show possible at every opportunity. He and the band love smaller, more intimate venues like The Drunken Unicorn.

“It feels really good to play live, it feels like what I'm supposed to do,” Funk explained.

The Sound of the Levee is already out in hard copy form and can also be found on iTunes. Funk personally recommends “Dirty Words,” but said that all the songs have great energy.

The Levee is planning to begin recording a second album at the end of this year.