Chris Cunningham: guitar, violin, mandolin, paranoid words, intrusive gestures. Brantley Duke: singing, xylophone, percussion, keys. Matt Badger: Lt. Commander of percussion


Bio

So, here is the story of the birth of a band. Once upon a time, Chris Cunningham was created in Seattle. His father was a drummer, his mother was a singer, and his brother was a guitarist/pianist. Chris learned guitar, than drums, bass, and piano. He started playing in bands around Seattle (with his brother and father) when he was 13. For the next 11 years he played in bands ranging from math rock, technical hardcore, post punk and melodic indie.
In 2007, after obtaining a BA in Cultural Anthropology, Chris got hired as a private contract teacher in the Marshall Islands. Bringing only an acoustic guitar and 4-track, he traveled to his assignment at a small boarding school in the outer island community of Jabor, Jaluit. It was here on this isolated atoll, nestled within the simplistic elements of acoustic guitar, ukulele and choral music, where the seeds of Ravenna Woods were planted.
Chris returned to Seattle in 2008 and met Brantley Duke, a local record engineer and musician. Within two months of their introduction, the pair began writing and playing music together. They shared a common interest in dark melodies combined with intricate vocal harmonies.
In the spring of 2009, a talented Seattle drummer by the name of Matt Badger was introduced to Chris at a show. Matt had heard demos of Chris and Brantley’s musical exploits, and was interested in establishing contact. After a 5 minute conversation, Matt was invited to join the project.
The trio spent the summer of ‘09 practicing and writing together, then began recording a full length album (Demons and Lakes) at the recording studio conveniently located at Cunningham’s house (Little Room Studio).
Since the album’s release, Ravenna Woods has been enjoying a large amount of local hype, consistent airplay on Seattle’s KEXP 90.3, and very favorable press from local and international sources.
The sound can best be described as innovative acoustic indie music that weaves together haunting vocal harmonies, complex finger picking, and unconventional percussion into complex song structures.

Bands that we've previously or currently play in: navigator vs. navigator, the horde and the harem, march 15th, evora, drowning in lethe, levator, fires to the east, mercy house youth, smokers die younger, neon blonde.