Cello and Drums: Break of Reality

Break of Reality playing


Break of Reality playing


Break of Reality discusses their musical influences and how they got started


The members of Break of Reality talk about how they got into music and their band's message

Artists: Patrick Laird (tall Cellist), Chris Thibdeau (Asian cellist), Erin Keesecker (female cellist), Ivan Trevino (drums)
Medium: Cellos and drum
Location: Union Square in front of the statue

Break of Reality is a five person group (including the manager) which puts together the sounds of three cellos and a drummer to play music most never expect to hear on classical string instruments. Although Break of Reality is inspired by classical music, they play a fusion of everything they can think of, from metal, to rock to Middle Eastern. Aside from original pieces, much of what they play are actually covers of groups like System of a Down and Metallica.

Break of Reality comes out of the Rochester University Eastman School of Music, an acclaimed music school in the United States. As of this interview the cellists in the band are each in their fourth year of majoring in cello and the drummer has already graduated in Music Performance. Jesse, their manager, is also a third year studying piano. The band got started when the members met each other in the cellists’ Freshman year three years ago.

Patrick Laird (tall cellist) hails from Midland Park, NJ. He started playing cello in the 4th grade when his school required students to play an instrument. His sister had played viola but since Patrick is “kind of a big guy” he went for the cello. In high school Patrick decided he wanted to play professionally and has been moving toward that goal ever since.

Chris Thibdeau (Asian cellist) is a native of Newtown, CT. He got into music in 3rd grade during a summer program known as SMART. Although he can’t remember what the acronym stands for anymore, Chris knows the program had a huge impact in him because after that he ended up majoring in cello.

Erin Keisciker (female cellist) is from Deland, FL near Orlando. She started playing the piano at the age of four and moved over to cello at around eight or nine.

Ivan Trevino (drums) is the only group member to have graduated from Eastman as of yet. He comes from Victoria, TX and says he got started with the drums at an early age. When Ivan’s father, who headed a gospel band, heard him banging on cabinets he thought: “wow, we really need to get a drumset.” And how right he was, Ivan has been playing drums ever since.

Jesse the manager says “Hello.” Not much is known about this elusive member of the group; only that he studies piano and handles all the “nitty gritty” business aspects of the band – truly a must have member of any group.

Since its formation the band has been greeted with success and has played in various places - from business conferences to schools to weddings and, of course, on the street. Although they are accustomed theaters, Break of Reality says it never passes up the chance to play on the street when it’s in New York because it’s both great exposure and a lot of fun. Playing on the street allows them to perform in front of thousands of people, expose the public to a new kind of sound and, as Erin points out, “that’s the great thing about New York, you can turn almost any location into a performance spot.”

Break of Reality is committed to its art and plans to move to New York this May to keep playing after graduation. Along with their music they hope to bring a simple message: “Listen to more instrumental music, expand your horizons and, if you play an instrument, break boundaries.”

Like what you hear? Check out
Their main influences – Any classical music, Unearth, System of a Down, Metallica

Really like what you hear? Buy the CD or hire them
www.breakofreality.com