Saint Vrain — About
Saint Vrain has its roots in the friendship of Chris Pearson and Jonny Ernster. They met in 2009 at CU Boulder as incoming freshmen both with backgrounds in acoustic guitar music and songwriting. Their styles, attitudes, and degrees paired them well for years of duo songwriting. Many times Chris would have a more technical approach with countless song ideas and other times Jonny would wax lyrical while Chris would follow with guitar riffs. Together they would discuss music theory, song structure, and lyric meanings for hours on end. They played music with several local musicians in jamb bands and open mics.
Meanwhile, drummer Benjamin Waterson and bassist August George met one another at CU while studying under the tutelage of sound engineer Kevin Harbison in the summer of 2018. One of their classmates was a friend of Chris and Jonny’s and explained that the two singer–songwriters were looking for a drummer and bassist. Later that summer, the four players met up along the Saint Vrain River in Lyons, Colorado, watching the show of another local band. They decided to give it a shot and collaborate.
After teaming up, the nascent band spent several months working off of the more acoustic tones of Jonny & Chris’s original music, leading to a smattering of local shows. More recently, the band has grown in its musicality and has created more organic numbers through full–band collaborations.
Ben’s technical drumming and knowledge of rhythms/time signatures mix well with Gus’ funky and original bass lines. Chris’ music theory and lead guitar lines create the framework and harmonic storytelling while his vocals add flow and harmony. Jonny’s rhythm guitar adds body and groove while his vocals add soul and lyrical imagery.
Together, it’s quite a mix of talent and grit that make for a progressive fusion of rock, funk, and blues.
Jonny Ernster — Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jonny grew up in a family without huge musical influence and opted out of piano lessons at an early age. Instead, he gravitated towards the guitar and rock music. He saw famous singers on TV and believed self-expression through music was the best way to live a life. He played bass in a punk band, then a reggae band, and all the while songwriting and playing original songs on the acoustic guitar. The freedom of poetry along the cadence of music struck him as a lifelong craft. Jonny has traveled extensively, learning the Tango in Argentina, Peruvian folk music, Spanish Flamenco, French jazz, and Italian classical, as well as American blues, funk, soul, reggae, and rock. Paired with years of philosophy studies, Jonny aims to create lyrics of a timeless character sourcing from archetypes and reaching the subconscious of his listeners. He found particular inspiration in great singers such as Bob Marley, Robert Plant, Bradley Nowell, Jim Morrison, and many others. Most recently the likes of Jim James, Ray LaMontagne, Paolo Nutini, Jack Savoretti, Jonathan Roy, Kaleo, and Hozier are among his favorites.
Chris Pearson — Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Born in the South but raised in the Pacific NW, Chris grew up surrounded by the indie rock backdrop of the Portland area but always held onto his southern roots through his love of the blues. Raised in a very musical family, he learned a healthy appreciation for the classic rock greats, with The Beatles, Clapton, CSNY and the like always in constant rotation on the family stereo. Chris takes inspiration from John Fruciante’s lead guitar work and backing vocals for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is also influenced by David Gilmour, Chadwick Stokes and Gary Clark Jr. His musical style incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk, reggae, ska, blues and psychedelic rock.
August George — Bass Guitar
August George has lived a life not many of us could imagine. Born in Brooklyn, Gus spent much of his early life on the East Coast, collecting stories and tales to last him a lifetime. But Gus has always found time for music, picking up the bass at an early age. More recently Gus has been learning the way of the guitar and is an aspiring audio engineer in both Colorado and New York City. Gus studied music briefly and played in the University of Colorado Basketball band with drummer Benjamin Waterson. Gus has indescribably eclectic music tastes, but he possesses a particular fondness for funk and R&B bassists, such as Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, and the members of the legendary Wrecking Crew.
Benjamin Waterson — Drums
Benjamin Waterson entered the world of music by starting on piano at a young age, shortly before picking up the drums. Ben started taking drum lessons at age 8, receiving instruction for just over 10 years. In college, Ben studied music where he also began playing alto saxophone, performing with the CU marching band for four years. But above all, he considers drums his primary instrument, having also played drums with the CU basketball band for four years. When he first started on the kit, Ben for many years worshiped the likes of old–school English rock drummers, such as John Bonham, Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, and Mitch Mitchell. As his musical tastes diversified, he began to follow the work of funk/fusion legends such as Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, and Vinnie Colaiuta. Most recently, Ben has explored the work of jazz greats like Joe Morello, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, and Buddy Rich.