University of Rochester

Rochester Review
November-December 2009
Vol. 72, No. 2

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Getting a ‘Break’ Eastman-born group establishes itself as a ‘cinematic rock modern chamber group.’ By Robin L. Flanigan
band REALITY BASED: Borter (white suit) is surrounded by Torch-Ishii, Trevino, and Laird, who together are finding success as the cello and percussion group Break of Reality. (Photo: Courtesy of Break of Reality)

With two new members and a new manager, Break of Reality is ready for another kind of break—one that will take the self-described “cinematic rock modern chamber group” to the charts.

Using three cellos, drums, and percussion, the group, including past and present Eastman School students, produces unconventional and improvisational music that has sold 20,000 CDs and charmed audiences in well-known rock clubs like Joe’s Pub and The Knitting Factory in New York City.

“Our mission is to keep instrumental music alive and relevant,” says founding member and cellist Patrick Laird ’07E. “It sort of lost its grip over time, and we think it’s important to show people that there are still a lot of great songs to hear out there that don’t have lyrics.”

Two years ago, Break of Reality moved to Manhattan, got picked up by a management company and performed impromptu shows in parks and subway stations. Then things changed. One of the cellists headed to law school. Another decided to follow his dream of being a conductor.

Away from performing, the two remaining members—Laird and drummer/percussionist Ivan Trevino ’06E, who is pursuing a master’s degree at Eastman—recruited two more cellists: Eastman master’s student Philip Borter and Martin (Torch) Torch-Ishii. Soon the revamped Break of Reality was playing on national television, touring, leading music workshops, signing with a manager who represents Arlo Guthrie, and landing a prime performing spot at an international networking event for performing arts centers in January.

Trevino says Break of Reality is taking a break from producing originals to record a short-length album of cover songs. The first two, scheduled to be released as digital downloads this year, are Metallica’s “The Day That Never Comes” and System of a Down’s “B.Y.O.B.”

Most rewarding, though, is inspiring students who get exposed to the alternative stylings of traditional instruments.

In Texas, Loredo Philharmonic Orchestra music director Brendan Townsend, an assistant professor at both Texas A&M International University and Loredo Community College, saw student interest in the cello surge after hosting Break of Reality’s performances in March 2008 and February 2009.

“Break of Reality has shown students what modern chamber music is all about,” says Townsend. “They make it cool.”

Performing for younger audiences has a marketing advantage as well.

“We feel fulfilled as musicians by going into these schools and teaching students about music,” says Laird, “but along with that comes a ton of really, really strong fans who go on Facebook and MySpace and other online networking sites. They spread the word for us, so we’re able to interact with them—and grow—so much quicker than ever before.”

Robin L. Flanigan is a Rochester-based freelance writer.