Press

from the Vigilance Newspaper Port Townsend, WA

"Soulful Groundcover--Heavy-lidded, leaning back on a haystack after a day of fieldwork, a fish is on the fire and the children chase and squeal. A whiskey jug cork pops and the slide guitar slips out of a cloud of rich smoke. The gathered clan is treated to Old English, Rastafarian, cotton field spirituals; Delta country blues and hobo jungle campfire boogiestomps. Brant Losinski comes across as a preacher and a tramp, minstrel and migrant farmer, deadhead and highwayman.

"These deep and broad roots have sprouted a stout, nonvariegated sound that grows low to the Earth resistant to the erosion of home grown values, blending influences together that makes you think you think it's been around the whole time. Each song blends into the next in a cyclical meditation. The guitar is strong and raw, yet impressively precise and intricate. The singing angst-free and smooth. Brant's music gets a weary John Henry to set down his hammer and a burdened Jesus to lay down his cross. He leaves them smoking a bowl and a-swinging with 'Amazing Grace' on a pre-Zeppelin 'Gallows Pole.'"

From Jam Rag, Detroit MI

"Rootstand takes the stage, and with eight people it's a tight fit.. They kick off playing a song that has quick vocals and a jamgrass sound. The drums, percussion, and upright bass tightly hold the rhythm. Every song has the crowd dancing, who've now filled the mirrored bar. The harmonica makes an appearence with an old style bullet mic. On one song, harmonica player and rhythm guitarist John Snyder sings through this mic for a unique sound. In the second set, Rootstand jams even harder, keeping the crowd stomping and twirling even more. The mandolin is definitely a treat, and they mix in the banjo and violin for some great wholesome tunes.
There is never a dull moment at the Blind Pig tonight. Rootstand is a lively, entertaining, must see."

From Charmie Gholson's September 2004 Ann Arbor Observer article quoting WCBN's Brian Tomsic

Brian, a WCBN DJ, hosts Train to Skaville on Tuesdays, and as soon as he sees me, he starts yelling praises for the band into my ear. "These guys spend a lot of time practicing," he shouts. "You can tell what they listen to. They obviously have strong influences in reggae and ska- oh, my god, there's rockabilly in this."
"Their music is real amalgam," Brian tells me later. " I loved it. I was just amazed at how tight they were. I think they're a band that's ready to record for real."

From Stephen Hollowell's article from the Eastern Echo, October 25, 2004

"Combining hoedown rhythms with blues-driven solos, Rootstand is a uniquely refreshing alternative to the whiney faux-punk and butt rock bands heard all to often on the radio these days. Though it is primarily traditional acoustic roots music, the band's sound also ranges from reggae beats to celtic rhythms, bringing an eclectic and interesting medley of styles to the stage.
On Oct.15,T.C.'s Speakeasy was graced by the feelgood down-home atmosphere created by Rootstand's authentic front porch vibe. The band provided the perfect combination of an up-beat bass, drum, and rhythm guitar background with a twangy banjo undertone. They topped it off with sweet, sweet mandolin, "Big John's" freight-train blowing harmonica and Losinski's spitfire narrative vocals"

From Will Stewart's article in the Ann Arbor News Spotlight, May 26th, 2005

"...listen closely and elements as diverse as Irish reels and dancehall reggae mingle comfortably alongside country blues and bluegrass, murder ballads and high-lonesome harmonies."

From Bill Chapin's article in Spin , Port Huron, MI May 23, 2006

"...Rootstand is an equal-opportunity employer of musical styles. the acoustic band utilizes just about any form of roots music you can imagine-bluegrass, country blues, Celtic Folk,-as well as urban stlyles with grassroots origins- such as hip-hop or reggae..."

From Kristy Dellach's article in South End, Wayne State University's newspaper. January 2007

"During a mild winter of plowing pumpkin shells and managing corn bugs, Rootstand remains a fertile blend of cow tippin' rebellion, funky folk and backwater blues..."

"...No pretentiousness or crotch-snuggling jeans here. Rootstand could have the most sullen of emo children away from the walls and out on the dance floor stomping their feet on the wooden boards and never ever worrying about locking the door..."

"...They create an inner zest to get on the porch with a bowl of biscuits and gravy and show your neighbors that Rootstand's jams possess the key to a summery buzz anytime of the year..."