YouTube-Sensation ‘Walk Off The Earth’ To Bring Energy
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Ryan Marshall, right, and the rest of Walk Off The Earth will bring their high energy covers and original music to The Paramount in Huntington next Wednesday.
By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
Canadian YouTube sensation and multi-talented five-person band Walk Off The Earth is bringing its high-energy sound to Huntington next week.
Ryan Marshall, who plays guitar and countless other instruments for the band, is joined by bandmates Sarah Blackwood, Joel Cassady, Gianni Lumiati and Mike Taylor on stage for the band’s U.S. tour.
Marshall, 39, said he never even picked up a guitar or really learned to sing until his early 20’s, preferring brass instruments like the baritone horn in his earlier years.
As a member of WOTE, Marshall said, he has become very comfortable with all kinds of string instruments, mostly through necessity.
“We put ourselves in situations where we try to push the boundaries,” Marshall said. “We have songs where one person goes from piano to ukulele to bass to guitar.”
Founded in Burlington, Ontario in 2006, WOTE gained internet superstar status when their cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” garnered over 175 million views on YouTube over the course of four months in 2012.
“I think a lot of independent bands have used YouTube or social media of some sort to kind of get out there, and it has allowed us to not rely on radio play or touring the way a lot of old school bands have to tour to get noticed,” Marshall said.
Marshall said that the rise of social media has “leveled out the playing field” for talented artists who may not have the knowledge or wherewithal to attract a major record label.
The members of WOTE have been rehearsing diligently for their upcoming live tour because, Marshall said, “We try to bring that YouTube feel to the stage for our original music and the covers we’ve done.”
“Man, the new set is off the hook,” Marshall said. “You just can’t take your eyes off the stage.”
Marshall said he and his bandmates are confident in what they can produce on stage, and that they will deliver the kind of high-energy performance that WOTE is known for.
He said, “We know how Walk Off The Earth fans are. They’re energetic, they want to be part of the show, they want to feel involved and they want to see crazy stuff happen.”
Doors open at 8 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show at The Paramount on Wednesday, March 21. Tickets range from $25-$55 and can be purchased at the box office or online at Paramountny.com.
