Before Braille's Debut Album ``The Rumor'' Set for Release September 10th on Aezra Records, With Distribution Through Liquid 8/BMG.

Entertainment Editors

PHOENIX--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 30, 2002

Disc Follows Up the Alt-Rock Band's Critically Acclaimed Four-Song,

Self-Titled Promo EP Released Last Spring, Which Delivered a Top 5

Track to Alternative Specialty Radio

Well in advance of the now imminent release of their debut album "The Rumor," Mesa, Arizona's Before Braille drew raves from the taste-maker alternative rock press for their Spring '02, self-titled, promo-only EP on Aezra Records, which is distributed through Liquid 8/BMG. To cite one review, Jason Kundrath wrote in CMJ, "Before Braille brews its own unique blend of rock for the new millennium. Seething with salt, sweat, honey and asphalt (not unlike seasoned AZ contemporaries Jimmy Eat World), this foursome delivers a positively commanding performance that betrays its relatively recent appearance on the radar. Each track on this sampler of songs from the upcoming full-length is brimming with texture and taste."

That being (so well) said, the aforementioned full-length -- "The Rumor" -- is slated for release September 10 on Phoenix, AZ-based Aezra Records. The album's first single, "Twenty-four Minus Eighteen," will be serviced to commercial Alternative radio, going for adds July 22. As the lead track on the promo EP, the demo version of this song premiered Top 5 on Alternative Specialty radio, a position it held three weeks running. The heavily guitar-driven "Goodnight Quiet Noise" is expected to be the album's second key track. Produced by Before Braille in conjunction with Bob Hoag (Pollen, Fivespeed, Co-Ed), of Mesa, AZ's indie-favored Flying Blanket Studios, "The Rumor" features fourteen original compositions including the four already released in demo form on the EP. The album's unique packaging is fronted by a braille-inspired card spelling out Before Braille in flat dots, with full cover art visible only after actually opening the jewel case.

Before Braille signed to Aezra Records at the beginning of the year. This week, label President Eric Cheroske remarked that, "I am delighted with the reception Before Braille has received to date, but not surprised. They are an extraordinarily talented new band, both in their songwriting and musicianship. I'm truly excited at the prospect of watching their career develop over the long haul, and fully expect them to make a profound impact."

Before Braille emerged out of the "480 area-core," aka "Mesa Rock" circuit in Arizona, a thriving scene that has spawned a number of groundbreaking acts in the EMO tradition, most notably Jimmy Eat World. Before Braille's earliest roots can be traced to the songwriting partnership of longtime friends Dave Jensen (lead vocals, guitar) and Hans Ringger (guitar); with the subsequent addition of Brandon Smith (bass) and Kelly Reed on drums, the band took shape about three years ago.

Their viscerally raw and emotionally expressive vein of music very often places them under an EMO, EMO-core or post-EMO-core umbrella -- even fans of the popular alt-rock-sub-genre differ over terminology -- and they have, in fact, already been featured on the Deep Elm label's definitive "Emo Diaries" compilation series. In true indie fashion, however, Before Braille prefer not to be categorized, and view their developing sound as original alternative rock for a new era of music making, a spirit of artistic invention and creative integrity that characterizes "The Rumor" throughout.

Aezra Records is distributed exclusively by BMG, the global music division of Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's leading media companies. Aezra is located at 14040 North Cave Creek Road, Suite 110, Phoenix, AZ, 85022. Their telephone number is 602-482-6518, and they can be found on the worldwide web at aezra.com.