"The twenty-something threesome's abilities as songwriters and performers is downright superb. Their material is literate, tasteful and often charmingly wistful, and their musicianship and vocal harmonies are world class." WVIA-FM - George Graham, Program Director
Find yourself bursting aloud with laughter, trying to make sense of an unusual metaphor, surrounded by soaring harmonies, and moments later with tears in your eyes, and you are likely enjoying the witty musicianship that is We’re About 9.
Formed in 1999, when Brian, Katie and Pat all stumbled upon the same open mic night in historic Ellicott City, Maryland, they quickly discovered their shared admiration for complex songwriting and wicked harmonies. As they grew as a trio and strengthened their unique sound, they won over audiences with their distinctive, edgy, fun and articulate arsenal of charm.
Releasing their second full-length studio recording, Paperdust :: Stardust, has taken We’re About 9 on a creative journey as friends and as a band.
After more than a year of day-jobs, careers and other musical ventures, We’re About 9 was ready to get back in the studio. During that year, a duo version of the group emerged. Brian and Katie continued playing shows and writing songs, while third member Pat Klink played drums with a local rock band. Paperdust :: Stardust reflects their time apart and musical journey, playing with other artists along the way.
“We started this project most of a year ago as a duo album,” says Brian. “We'd been doing mostly duo shows, and wanted to make an album that reflected that, but we were also playing a lot of shows with special guests joining us, and we wanted an album that reflected that, and then we started playing a lot of trio shows again, and we wanted an album that reflected that. What we ended up with is the most lovely collage.”
Guests on Paperdust :: Stardust include:
Naked Blue - Jen and Scott Smith
Girlyman - Ty, Nate and Doris
Andy and Denise - Andy Fox and Denise O’Brien
Abbie Gardner of Red Molly
While some songs are duo focused, Pat Klink is also all over this record adding his magic, multi-instrumental talent to many of the songs.
There are planes, berries, and miscreants. There's courting, love, and love lost. And it's all on one disc, engineered by the amazing Scott Smith of Naked Blue.
WE'RE ABOUT 9: BIO
We're About 9 is a trio that is focused on complex songwriting and big wall-of-sound harmonies. They take turns on lead vocal, all sing on every song, and accompany their voices with thoughtfully conceived acoustic guitar and electric bass.
Katie Graybeal, Pat Klink and Brian Gundersdorf exploded on to the folk circuit in 2003 with an unequivocal buzz, a load of festival appearances, and a relentless arsenal of charm, energy and intelligence.
Simultaneously playing and writing for a diverse, intelligent audience is what has given this trio a distinctive, edgy, fun, articulate, professional style.