Rocwater

THE BOYS ARE CURRENTLY LAYING DOWN THEIR BLOOD SWEAT & BEERS ON THE TRACKS FOR THEIR NEW ALBUM.... STAY TUNED FOR SOME SNEEK PEEKS HERE ON MYSPACE BEFORE THE FULL RELEASE LATER THIS YEAR!!! Photography by Ryan Heywood... www.ryanheywood.com... www.myspace.com/heyblab After years of growing and moulding his skills through experimenting with different musical styles and influences, DUANE MARNELL's songwriting has matured into a seemingly effortless craft. His voice, sensitive but strong, almost dances across his guitar-driven melodies.When early 2005 saw the formation of ROCWATER, Duane's songs were given a whole new plane on which to exist.ROCWATER's sound features layered 3 part vocal harmonies, a blend of acoustic & electric guitars, slide, piano, keys, trumpet, and harmonica, all driven by a force of drums, bass and percussion. As a 5 piece band, they have grown in only a short time into a tight unit; a single soul with a mature understanding of it's existence. From humbly building on Duane's beautiful melodies and lyrics, to now arranging and performing as one, Rocwater are a band who's musical maturity and direction help carve them an original, yet almost familiar sound.Their songs manage to blend traditional elements of Motown, Americana, country, folk, funk and blues, with the appeal of popular contemporary songs and ballads. But as with so many acts of today, Rocwater can't really be pigeon-holed into any one genre. Their music is fresh and friendly, creating a concoction of new musical blends which work so effortlessly, that the resulting songs have a timeless feel about them. ............................................................ ............................................................ .........ROCWATER - HAPPY AT HOME: CD Review by Michael Smith, DRUM MEDIA 2/5/06...................................................... ............................................................ ................. ..."they're not really roots, Americana or Alternate Country, yet there are elements of all of the above in their gentle rock sensibility, mixed in with a strong sense of melody and even a touch of funk swirling in the back of the edgy Cheats and Lies... from the lazy Happy at Home... to the achingly poignant Repeating the Circles. Its just a great bunch of songs from a group of players with the sensitivity to deliver them with the intelligence they deserve."................................................... ............................................................ ..................::: ROCWATER - HAPPY AT HOME: CD Review from "What's On Central Coast"www.whatson-centralcoast.com.au/rocwater.html..review. ............................................................ ............................................................ ..........."You know that feeling when you wake in the morning and your head is a melting pot of thought well I woke the other morning to the words and music of Rocwater's 'Baby I Love You' in my head. Surprised, yes but on reflection, little wonder really.I have been so excited with this new band and its talents that the CD is often on repeat for most of the day, it really is THAT good.I took the CD to a fellow music industry veteran and long time friend for him to share the excitement and was not dumbfounded to learn he had seen two of these guys (Duane and Simon) in the early days of last year at a small gig and thought then they really had something great on the boil. He picked the same tracks I had as commercially viable tracks and thought that the bonus track' was a definite candidate for triple J and a number one spot on their charts.The Rocwater 'Happy At Home' CD shows an enormous amount of potential for greatness. The maturity, the vocals and the music all combine for a brilliant little package of what a first time listener would be forgiven for thinking was an already charted album.The added bonus with Rocwater is the sheer enjoyment of their live performances as well. They are entertaining as well as being entertaining. Just to catch a great band live on stage is fantastic but these guys also have a knack for grabbing your focus and like a tenacious pup with a bone won't let it go.It's wicked really, but when so much enjoyment stops it leaves you wanting more."...................................................... ............................................................ ................ A REVIEW FROM "WHAT'S ON CENTRAL COAST" ABOUT ROCWATER AT THE PEAT'S RIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL GIG DEC 2005 ............................................................ ............................................................ ......"the long awaited chance to catch local newcomers Rocwater. Having run into Duane on a few musical occasions the signs were there and all good to NOT miss this show... they were correct. These guys went much further than just off. A fantastic show. The audience in the B & J tent instantly increased as the sound these guys were making traveled out to the festival grounds. The sheer entertainment value and effort these guys put into the show would almost guarantee them a prime time slot on the main stage for the next Festival. Considering it was after midnight I was surprised to see so many people still so full of energy on the dance floor. They were loving it. The band slowed it down a little with a few accoustic songs from Duane, David and Brent, but the audience remained transfixed. Local photog Ryan Heywood has also been an advocate of this band...and his recommendations to date have never failed"..................................................... ............................................................ ..........ROCWATER IN THE STUDIO, KINCUMBA MOUNTAIN, MARCH 2007 ............................................................ ............................................................ ...