Embers in Umbra — 29 November 2023 on Rocket Shop Radio Hour

Monochrome photo by Ross Mickel

Embers in Umbra joined host Tom Proctor on ‘Rocket Shop,’ Big Heavy World’s weekly local Vermont music radio hour on 105.9 FM The Radiator. Catch up with them at facebook.com/EmbersInUmbra

Text by Keagan Lafferty

According to the Oxford dictionary, an ember is a “small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire,” and an umbra is the darkest fragment of a shadow. Aside from the catchy alliteration, the phrase Embers in Umbra represents a glimmer of light within the dark, and is the name of a Burlington-based band who lit up the room at Rocket Shop. “We are the spark, hoping to catch fire of course,” said lead singer, Brie Lucas.

Embers in Umbra embraces a “progressive alt-pop-punk-emo-rock” style (according to their website), matching the members' powerful and ingenious creativity. They chose to perform this genre since they began with Paramore covers, a band that influenced their songwriting style. It’s fun to play, great for a live audience, and it felt fitting.

Bri Lucas, vocalist, has a friendly and imaginative persona, which presents itself in her songwriting. She’s the embodiment of creative writing, with intelligent articulation of ideas that expand beyond typical human thinking. She began songwriting in middle school, and had been in “garage bands” before that didn’t play live, but Lucas says “this is what [she] would call [her] first real band.” 

Matt Sicard, guitarist, is clever and ambitious, his personality complimenting his brilliant and powerful playing techniques. His arms are covered in detailed sleeve tattoos; similar to this art, his solos are elaborate and bold, possessing undeniable talent. Before Embers in Umbra, Sicard played with Jesse Taylor’s band for four years, and he is also a drummer.

Anthony Girelli, the band’s drummer, is kind and compelling with a striking style that drives the band’s rhythmic qualities. His picture-perfect smile parallels the unequivocal elation that immediately takes over any listener's consciousness. He’s also a producer, with experimental instrumental tracks released under his projects entitled Girelli Melodies.

Jason Cerutti, bassist, has a mysterious and riveting persona, and produces inventive bass lines that easily captivate the audience. He creates grooves that flawlessly match the melodies and energies of each song, drawing the listener toward the low end frequencies that can be felt throughout the room.

Sicard and Girelli have been writing music together for six years. Girelli lived in Saratoga, so the two collaborated remotely; Girelli sent guitar and bass tracks, and Sicard added drums and keys. Meanwhile, Lucas was working for a creative company, and was assigned to work with talent to make music beds for commercials. Lucas reached out to Sicard and Girelli since they had done that before, and the collaboration on one song evolved into a group. Cerutti joined in May of 2023, giving the band essential low end tones.

The songwriting process of Embers in Umbra is a natural flow; one that is unique because it’s usually done remote with tracks sent back and forth between musicians. “We can kind of all, from our own separate worlds, create the song,” said Sicard. 

Since Lucas doesn’t play instruments, she has a hard time conveying melodic ideas, but she emphasized the talent of the band in their ability to understand her creations. “I've worked with other people before to try and make music, and I've never found that I could turn something that I had in my head into a real song like what I was envisioning, and it's been really easy with them,” said Lucas. “I think it's come very naturally. It just seems to click.” 

Lucas’ lyrics are centered around her own life experiences– long ago relationships, tough issues, or “whatever [she’s] feeling in the moment.” Her writing utilizes storytelling, with a structured beginning, middle, and end. “My whole career has been focused on writing and creative writing and I am more about telling a story,” said Lucas. 

Using both metaphors and direct language, Lucas likes the idea of audience interpretation and individuals relating to lyrics in their own unique ways. “If other people hear something and it resonates with them – whatever it is that's resonating – I like that it means something to them,” said Lucas.

Lucas reflected on the evolution of her vocals throughout her time playing with Embers in Umbra. She has learned to project her voice, and started writing songs with higher notes and more powerful vocal melodies. “I was still sort of figuring out what I could do with my voice,” said Lucas. “I'm used to singing at home in my kitchen so I never really tried to belt.”

“Scratch the Surface,” the first song played by Embers in Umbra on Rocket Shop, is the result of an idea by Girelli who wrote and mapped out the song before Lucas added lyrics. It began with a rock guitar riff, and employed dynamics that keep the listener engaged and unable to ignore the power that’s expressed in the song. The chorus had a dramatic use of cymbals that elevated the energy, and complemented Lucas’ intense vocals.

Embers in Umbra’s next song, “First Love,” had a heavy intro with a catchy guitar melody, suiting the positive lyrics and dynamic vocal melodies. It’s the epitome of punk, with experimental drums grooves to create a contrast between the songs’ differing sections.

Embers in Umbra’s next song was “Ladders,” beginning with a rock guitar riff and vocals. The instruments joined in as Matt sang backing vocals, providing an extra layer and fuller sound during choruses. While the verses were tight with an emphasis on the vocals, the choruses had an increase in energy and Girelli played a half-time drum groove to create dynamics.

“Ladders” was initially written based on an instrumental track created by Girelli, and the band turned it into a punk pop song. “The song is about the dissolution of a life built with someone, watching the relationship fall apart, realizing it can't be saved, and then picking up the pieces to rebuild your own life and find happiness again,” said Lucas.

“People always refer to ‘building’ a life together in relationships, but I wanted to use a ladder as the metaphor for building up,” said Lucas. “A ladder has a practical purpose for your home, but if the rungs in a ladder are cracked or broken, it's unsafe or even useless, and you can fall to the ground. So, you have to repair or replace the ladder to restore its purpose, and build up again.”

Embers in Umbra’s last song was “Clean Break,” with catchy chord changes and a feeling of angst and emotion, with intense vocals emphasizing the rage in the song. “This song is about one-way relationships—about putting effort and energy into one that isn't returned,” said Lucas. “At some point, you realize that the lack of investment from the other person is an indication that the value you hold for the relationship either isn't mutual, or at some point ended without your knowledge. Eventually, you see that the person ‘let you go’ and you have to stop investing in a relationship that doesn't exist. You have to let go in return, and stop looking for acceptance from others, but rather find it in yourself.”

“The ‘clean break’ in the lyrics is more of a wish, because it's never painless to let go of a relationship you valued, but you want the break to be as clean as possible to avoid further pain or anger,” said Lucas.

“Still I try, I’m reaching out, but it feels so pathetic when all the effort that I put in winds up so neglected,” sings Lucas. “I’m giving up, I’m letting go, I find this so exhausting.” Later in the chorus, Lucas finds the importance of letting go. “What I’ve found is strength in myself.”

Lucas admits that being a new band is difficult; booking shows and advertising requires a lot of work, and it’s not always easy to engage the community when a band is new to the scene. Embers in Umbra is developing their live performance experience with shows around Vermont, at various venues in Stowe, Rutland, and Burlington.

Lucas struggles with anxiety and nervous stage fright, but the band makes her more comfortable. “I keep waiting for it to feel like an old hat, but I don't know if it ever will. And maybe that's just how it is for some people,” said Lucas. “But I'm really glad to have these guys because it does make me feel more comfortable having them behind me and supporting me. I know that they believe in me. So that's helpful to get me out of that mindset.” 

Embers in Umbra has six singles currently released, a significant amount for the short time that they’ve been established as a band. They are currently working on another single to be released soon, and have an eventual goal to create an album. The album’s vision will speak to phases of Lucas’ life as a theme, and has no official timeline or established title yet.

There’s no doubt that Embers in Umbra is in fact a spark that catches fire. They have the ability to glow amongst darkness, and everyone and everything within earshot seems to light up at the first note of each song. The fire department better watch out because Embers in Umbra is about to set the world on fire.

Embers in Umbra website: https://embersinumbra.com/ 

Embers in Umbra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embersinumbra/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== 

Embers in Umbra on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@embersinumbra?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 

Embers in Umbra on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/EmbersInUmbra/?locale=hi_IN 

Embers in Umbra on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@embersinumbra 

Embers in Umra on Reverb Nation: https://www.reverbnation.com/embersinumbra