The phrase “wabi sabi” loosely means a perfect type of imperfection that becomes even more beautiful with age. Blue jeans that have been worn and torn and that feel better everytime you put them on. A mug that your child made for you in the third grade that now delivers hot chocolate to your grandchildren. A type of music that we hope will become your favorite pair of ripped jeans for your ears to wear, beautiful imperfections and all. Wabi Sabi started out as a trio in 1999. It was called “Damian Cartier (And His My Newt Orchestra)” back then and consisted of a trombonist, a pianist/singer, and a drummer. By early 2000, they had grown into a 7 piece band, and released their first CD in 2002 entitled “Attention Damian Disorder” which was recorded and produced by Damian’s close friend John Driscoll Hopkins (who later became an integral member of the Zac Brown Band). After watching an episode of King of the Hill entitled “The Son Also Roses”, a decision was made to change the name of the band to “Wabi Sabi” (a phrase used in that particular episode) which was much easier for clubs to spell, and which reflected a sound and an attitude that the band had grown into over the years. In 2007, they recorded their second CD with John Hopkins entitled “Plays Well With Others” and subsequently hired Jason LaMarca as their new drummer. The lineup has been the same ever since. Unfortunately, the band only plays a handful of shows each year at this point, but each show is like a unique family reunion. Damian is a touring dueling piano player. Kris Dale plays bass for Corey Smith and is constantly on the road. Andy Birdsall, Jason LaMarca, Wes Funderburk, Vinnie D’Agostino, and Lester Walker all play with various groups in and around Atlanta… Between expanding families, dayjobs, and other gigs, it is hard to find time where everyone can get together and let loose. That’s why “Alive and Orjazmic Up In The Tin Roof” is kind of special. This CD was a complete accident. A couple of days before their show at The Tin Roof Cantina on October 11, 2013, Paul Warner (a new friend of Damian’s that he had met at an open mic) asked if he could record the show with his new portable digital rig. Maybe the band could get a demo out of it, or just have it as a keepsake. The band had not played together in about 9 months, and most of the band had no idea that the night was going to be recorded until the day of the show, let alone which of their over 60+ original songs they were going to play. After hearing the recording of over 3 hours of mostly original music, the decision was made to make it into a CD. The feel of a “live” recording captured these songs in a way that the studio never could…a bit wild, completely unscripted, and unique unto themselves… A perfect type of imperfection. It quickly grew in to a two CD set because….well….there was too much to fit on just one CD, and also, “Why not?”. Hope you have as much fun listening as the band did playing! Wabi Sabi is: Damian Cartier - vocals, keys Andy Birdsall - vocals, guitar Kris Dale - bass, vocals Jason LaMarca - drums Wes Funderburk - trombone Lester Walker - trumpet Vinnie D’Agostino - sax Engineered and mixed by Paul Warner Produced by Paul Warner and Damian Cartier Mastered by Alex Lowe at Red Tuxedo in Atlanta, GA All songs written by Damian Cartier www.wabisabiband.com