Changes

“It is very rare that a band comes along and completely blows you away!”

Ann Delisi, music director for 96.3 WDVD Detroit, on Changes.



Changes, a four-piece acoustic rock band out of Detroit, Michigan, is defined by their paradoxical nature. They are unique in that all four members have studied music at the collegiate level. Their sound is a little different too; it is classified as Acoustic Rock because it is not driven by an electric guitar, but rather an acoustic. The guy behind that guitar and the lead vocals is Pat Conaton. Keeping it in the family, his brother, Jimmy Conaton provides vocals and smooth bass lines akin to Victor Wooten. Vito Biliti rounds out the vocal trio and also tickles the ivories on keyboard and organ. The man keeping the beat on drums and percussion is Rob “Robby D” Dawson. While this uniquely wonderful sound has been compared to the Barenaked Ladies or Dave Matthews Band, it is truly a style entirely its own. Their melodies are a catchy and a creatively bright blend of 3-part vocal harmonies reminiscent of The Beatles, Ben Folds Five, and Jellyfish.



While this unsigned group has not yet been snagged by an established record label, their debut album, What is that Song?, has received a considerable amount of airplay on college radio stations across the country and locally, two tracks “She Says” and ”Northern Direction” have been featured on 96.3 WDVD, Detroit’s major Pop/Rock radio station. There is no rest however. In between live shows, practice and promotion, Changes is finding time to finish up a fresh five song EP entitled Watch the Rain EP.



Due the vast experience this group has with live shows, Changes has earned a reputation as an entertaining and audience-focused live act which has drawn them a loyal following in states across the country. Although this musical quartet is humble about their accomplishments, the list is a long one. Changes has played with a myriad of groups from the regionally famous to the nationally acclaimed. Such groups as Blessid Union of Souls, Bleu and Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies adorn the résumé of this incomparable group. Not to mention several festivals, colleges, battles of the bands and the numerous sold-out crowds they bring about at local venues such as The Magic Bag in Ferndale and Clutch Cargos in Pontiac on repeated occasions. Other select venues include The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Rick’s American Café in East Lansing, Royal Oak Music Theater in Detroit and Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois.



This intrinsically motivated and, as you can see, very unique group is always looking for new ways to entertain their established fan base and bring new people into the mix. Ironically laid back and still very driven, their music is a style that reflects their very personalities.



Additional information, photographs and sound samples are available at

http://www.changesweb.com.