Rausch

connect // @rauschofficial
www.rauschband.com
rausch.bandcamp.com

"Talented dude, interesting music…!"-Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex Guns N' Roses, Art of Anarchy)

After devoting the better part of his early years to the piano, namesake pianist-singer-songwriter Doug RAUSCH earned his Ithaca College music degree - winning recognition as concerto competition finalist with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue - and plunged straight into self-imposed exile. Disillusioned by the deemphasis on musicianship in mainstream music – culminating in an eye-opening stint at Sony Music Studios in NYC - RAUSCH felt faced with two options: cling to the hopes of mobilizing a live outfit ambitious enough to match his vision, or fully invest into the songs… no matter the cost. Wary of spinning his wheels in the city and understanding that a song lasts forever, he chose the latter – and cost it did.

First came 2009's self-funded, self-titled debut (RAUSCH). Then, with Grammy-nominated producer David Ivory (The Roots, Halestorm) on board, "Book II" was unleashed in 2018; guests from progressive rock juggernauts such as Shadow Gallery, Fates Warning and Spock's Beard all pitched in.

Ever-devoted to new creations, the prospect of recording “other people’s” music always proved more luxury than priority. With each of the first two painstakingly produced albums culminating in sheer exhaustion before any such extracurricular activities could even be considered, the opportunity to pay homage remained elusive. Then came COVID-19. While not immune to personal setbacks amidst the pandemic, if there was to be any silver lining at all, it was this very chance for RAUSCH to properly prepare some select cover versions of meaningful music that came before – in solo piano fashion. Influencers represented in this new round of single releases include Queen, Pink Floyd, Guns N’ Roses, and the darker side of Billy Joel. All this to hold everyone over for fresh blood from upcoming RAUSCH Album 3, anticipated 2025…