Everybody's News, Cincinnati OH
September, 1991

by David Pescovitz

OVER THE RHINE GOES TO TOWN

On a cold Saturday night, Sudsy Malone's was transformed into a '50's coffee house, with light from nearby candles illuminating the faces of those sitting on chairs, tables and the floor. Hushed conversation could be heard from the house until four musicians took the stage and the audience became quiet. Over the Rhine began to play to an eerily attentive group of listeners who came to hear a band that only semi-seriously describes itself as "post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged, art-pop, of course."

However they are described, Over the Rhine is a Cincinnati band that has earned some of the respect that they deserve.

Over the Rhine is a group of proficient musicians including Ric Hordinski, guitar and mandolin; Brian Kelley, drums; Linford Detweiler, bass and keyboards; and Karin Bergquist, vocals and acoustic guitar. The sound is clean, electric guitars and drums are accented by acoustic instruments and keyboards. Bergquist's complex, often folky melodies, enrichen the tight, atmospheric sound of the whole ensemble. Their music is reminiscent of Kate Bush, 10,000 Maniacs and the Pretenders.

Over the Rhine, however, is no longer reminding their audience of any other performer. They are artists in their own right and their music is an extension of, and influenced by, the way they live. The band itself is named for the Cincinnati neighborhood that they say has had a direct effect on their songwriting. Through their music, they are able to think about life and the rigors and joys which accompany being human.

Over the Rhine also writes about some social issues such as poverty and, as they say, "getting spiritual bearings in a culturally materialistic world." These things and other issues they explore are extensions of their introspective nature, though.

"I don't see how anyone can touch social issues without touching on themselves first," says Bergquist.

With the seriousness that they approach their music and the obvious concentration on perfection, Over the Rhine has enjoyed much success in the year that they have been performing. They have released a CD and cassette entitled "Til We Have Faces". It is as crisp and flowing as their live performance. With this release, they also have a publishing contract with a division of MCA that they hope will give them the exposure needed to be signed to a major label.

Their studio work, however, is approached differently than their live performances. "Live, it's more of an 'at this moment, can this be powerful?' thing," says Detweiler.

"Playing live is a snapshot, as opposed to the studio, which is more of a painting that can be refined," adds Hordinski.

Listeners will have a chance to experience both October 2nd on WVXU radio. At 3pm, cuts from "Til We Have Faces" will be heard during an interview with the band. Over the Rhine will then be performing live from the WVXU studios during a midnight broadcast later that night.

Success is a goal that Over the Rhine often reflects on. But their view of success is defined as part of their music which they use to explore and express themselves and connect with people.

"Achieving is the ultimate goal," says Hordinski. "But striving for some sort of meaningful existence is something we care about and something people can relate to in our music.