by L. Jeanette Strole

Stephanie Gunther: vocals
John Ostler: drums
Jared Nisch: bass
JP Niemiec: guitar
Brian Roop: guitar

It is clear that the members of the Michigan-based Ettison Clio are optimistic. Singer and lyricist, Stephanie Gunther, is a positive thinker. “I'm a firm believer that good music will prevail. I think that the current state of music in the ‘indie’ scene is pretty amazing and can only get better from here.” Such sanguinity ought to grab even a cynical critic by the horns and shake things up a bit. Along with those kinds of sentiments, Gunther and her bandmates also have the talent and dedication to promote this bright vision for the future of music. What does Ettison Clio deliver to discerning listeners? JP Niemiec confidently answers this question. “What sets us apart is that we are one of the most aggressive female-fronted bands in the categories of indie-rock, emo, or pop-punk.” Indeed, the Benatar-tinged tenacity of Gunther’s voice cannot be denied. The twenty-somethings of Ettison Clio work over their punchy sound to incorporate the raw assault of punk and hardcore, and yet counterbalance this with feminine, strong vocals, occasional laced with delicate harmonies. The band concurs that one of their newest songs, ‘Still Everything,’ really showcases her dynamic voice, backed by the extra momentum of Jared Nisch’s hardcore screaming. Sly dueling guitar riffs create a framework for the vocal exhibitions, punctuated by snares, cymbals, sharp bass lines, and decisive time-changes. Influences range from the Afghan Wigs, Muse, Radiohead, Texas is the Reason, and Sonic Youth, but through any of those filtered elements, Ettison Clio’s own voice rings out.

The new material, which was produced by Chris Mizzone (Evelyn Hope), is even more polished and planned out than their first release, Fragile Simplistic. John Ostler’s drumming is adding a new twist to their sound. Gunther is proud of the vocal work, as they had more studio time for perfecting the vocal tracks and harmonies. Nisch adds “Our new material is more mature structurally, more thought-out, dynamic, and we are starting to become ourselves.”

Interestingly, the process of “becoming themselves” began years ago. Brian Roop, Nisch, and Niemiec went to the same high school in Plymouth-Canton, MI. While Gunther and Ostler were the last members to join, they grew up together in Saginaw, MI. In their earliest incarnation, Ettison Clio had seen the departure of two other vocalists and another drummer. They first met Gunther when they answered her classified ad looking for a band to sing with. After her successful audition, she suggested that Ostler join them on drums. Given this history and connectedness, Ettison Clio really functions like a family unit. Roop and Niemiec’s guitar bits come together as a song takes form, and then Gunther’s lyrics and melodies bring personal stories and evocative ideas into the music. “It truly makes me happy when someone can take what I wrote and apply it to themselves and the situations they're going through, or the people around them. That is probably the most rewarding part of being the lyricist, especially when someone says that my lyrics have helped them in some sort of way.” With extensive gigs and touring under their belt, including a sixteen-date tour with The Beautiful Mistake and the Lyndsay Diaries, the Clios are definitely learning the ropes of the music industry. Recalling some of her favorite moments, Gunther reminisces about last fall’s tour. “I think the most encouraging thing was our tour with The Beautiful Mistake. There we were, an unsigned band that no one had ever heard of, and kids were dancing and going nuts at our shows, buying CD’s and shirts, and asking us when we were going to be playing in their towns again. It seriously was one of the best experiences of my life.” Niemiec also echoes her feelings “I could have never fathomed that we would gain the fans that we did from a single tour. The reception has been unbelievable. I couldn't ask for anything more.”

Roop seems almost stunned at how quickly things have gelled for them. “We now have five members ready to lay it all down for Ettison Clio. More than one hundred shows have gone by, two tours, three CDs, more than 100,000 web visits, and 20,000 mp3.com plays later here we are.” In order to bring their goals into reality, the band is shopping for a label to help them with organizing street teams, playing more gigs, and recording more new material. Their focus on each other, their music and the future of the band is the glue that binds them together. As if that isn’t enough to provide the necessary foundation for musical success, they also really enjoy what they’re doing. And with those key ingredients lined up, the band is quite rightfully optimistic about their future.