Tribe of the Outcast
Seattle Spotlight
Tribe Of The Outcast – Photo By Patrice Raplee
By Patrice Raplee
In the music industry, record companies and agents
are always on a relentless search for new bands and new sounds. Unfortunately,
those often signed fit the prerequisite for a malleable and predictable
music commodity. Once in awhile, a new band emerges and communicates
worthy lyrical intent and has an incredibly talented set of individuals
that coalesce into an outstanding new sound.
A Portland, Ore. based band, Tribe Of The Outcast
has recently gained serious attention for their driving world beat
sound. Their complex and often-intense sound is difficult to compare,
yet shades of Emerson Lake and Palmer and an infusion of sometimes
classical, Celtic, (Emerson Lake and Palmer meet the Cranberries
at Enya’s house) and world beat adds to the artistic array.
The Tribe consists of band members: Rebekah Burton,
lead vocalist and keyboard; Roger Kasner, bass; Dave Herdan, guitar;
Karl Kessler, drums; and Nate Clark, sax.
Burton, the leader of the band, born in Belfast, Ireland,
moved to the United States in the ‘80s. Her strict classical upbringing
from the age of three (piano and flute), influenced Burton’s musical
tastes towards Bach, Beethoven and Broadway. She continued her classical
training in the states and received her BA from DePaul in Chicago.
Burton performed solo in Broadway, theater and symphony work all
over the U.S. and traveled back and forth to Ireland to perform in
church concerts as well. In the ‘90s, Burton was influenced by alternative
music and her impressive musical background became the foundation
for a different vein in her music.
Unfortunately, a few years later, the catalyst
for her current direction in music would be the result of deadly
domestic violence. With her neck broken, Burton barely survived the
assault. After a long recovery, this terrible abuse led to Burton’s
decision to become an activist against domestic violence. Her music
brought the message that people do not have to be victims, to stand
up for yourself and let no one conquer you. For years, Burton has
helped raise money for the Rafael House in Portland and worked tirelessly
through lectures and campaigns to raise awareness of domestic violence.
In fact, 12 percent of every event that The Tribe performs goes to
help domestic violence shelters.
Tribe Of The Outcast - from left, Karl Kessler, Dave
Herdan,
Rebekah Burton, Roger Kasner. – Photo By Patrice Raplee
Although the root of Burton’s music is of a serious
nature and is imbued with personal insights, the music carries a
positive message of hope and encouragement without a depressing dialogue.
It also conveys the power each individual has to overcome obstacles
and persevere.
Several members of The Tribe are classically trained
such as Burton and Kasner (who led cool Portland bands Heart of Darkness
and Diva). Herdan is a long-time professional guitarist with several
years of classical piano training and Kessler is a veteran rock drummer
of 30 years. Clark, who resides in Seattle, is an amazing sax player
and performed with Burton since they met in LA three years ago.
The Tribe performs at events, with their last
performance at Pioneer Square in early October to an appreciative
crowd. They are in the midst of recording a CD and their website
is under construction. Look for soon-to-be-announced performances,
their CD and their website in this and in other Portland music media
in the near future.
The reverent feeling that comes through the Tribe’s
music is at times soft, ethereal and melodic; and at other times,
a powerful commentary of accomplished artists who have chemistry
and intensity that leave no doubt that they are the new sound
we’ve been waiting for!
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