The Vitrolum Republic
Vitrolum Republic: the compact Milwaukee quartet that has the formidable name has been taking its local listening audience by surprise with a sound that runs through their influences of Andrew Bird, Damien Rice, Keane, The Ditty Bops, Yan Tiersen, Jon Brion and more with ease and energy. Comprised of brothers Nick Waraksa and Jordan Warkasa, Chuck Lawton and Benjamin Schaefer, the band is already taking on opening for big-name indie band Ra Ra Riot (this weekend at Valparaiso University in Indiana) as well as presenting their original songs on a brand new pipe organ recently installed at the church of Gesu at Marquette University; unconventional, yes, but alluring all the same. Wired.com makes special mention of the band’s use of piano, accordion, violin and guitar, and that the album varies between “southern with a twang of bluegrass” and “a macabre soundtrack to a gypsy movie”. Tune into 91.7 FM WMSE tonight at 8 p.m. to hear a live set from The Vitrolum Republic or stream live (or in the archives) at WMSE.org.
