Before You Exit coming to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Before You Exit (photo), a hot new American pop-rock band based in Orlando, Florida, will be performing in Manila in May. Before You Exit was formed in 2007 when former member Braiden Wood approached Connor McDonough (who previously played in a band called The Dfunktrockers) from his local church, and Thomas Silvers, a classmate, with the idea of a band.

The band initially had Connor’s younger brother Riley as a guest vocalist, but eventually decided to add his name to the band. Later, Connor’s other brother Toby joined as well. The band name was created with the motto, “Make a Difference, Before You Exit.”

When you combine the creative intuition of musical brothers with the wisdom and input of chart-topping songwriters, you get an album of finely-crafted pop that’s bursting with spirited authenticity.

Though the three brothers in Before You Exit are just in their teens, they have the talent, sophistication and confidence to find their distinct pop-rock aesthetics. Before You Exit’s music is heartfelt and radio-ready.

Although the music scene is rife with examples that being brothers in a band is not an assurance of a solid working relationship, the siblings work harmoniously with each other.

“We actually get along really well. We all have our thing and work in categories by preference,” Connor says. “I write vocal melodies, Riley writes lyrics and Toby helps with both. There are never fights because each of us can do our own thing, but also contribute to each other.”

“We were searching for a sound and wrote with as many people as we could. It helped us grow and write better songs. We wrote 30 to 40 songs and picked our favorites,” Riley says. “It didn’t matter if it were written by just us in a bedroom or co-written in L.A.”

The band drew inspiration and wrote songs from sessions with such seasoned veterans as Robert Ellis Orall (Taylor Swift), Dan Book and Alexei Misoul (Hot Chelle Rae), Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low), Bobby Huff and Stephen Barker Liles (Love and Theft).

The three brothers have crafted a pop-rock album of uplifting relationship songs that blend sharp hooks with bright and buoyant rock. The album’s first single I Like That has tender lyrics and big pop-rock beat. Ryan Daly and Anthony Improgo, along with Connor, produced the new album.

“They really listened to what we wanted to do and let us try out our ideas, no matter how crazy,” Connor says, laughing.

“Because of that, we feel really connected to the way the recording turned out,” Riley adds.

Reflecting the optimism in the band’s name, Before You Exit works hard daily to make its way to the top but it never fails to stop and appreciate what it has gotten thus far.

“There’s no way we’d be anywhere without our incredible fans. They are behind us every step of the way and are a huge piece of this band,” says Toby.

In the light of many short-lived and fly-by-night artists, Before You Exit is driven and determined to be around for a while.

Before You Exit performs at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura on May 17, 7:30 p.m. to be produced by MMI and Ovation Productions. Tickets are now on sale online for P3,660 and P2,090. For the “ultimate exiter package” which includes a hangout party after the show, ticket prices are at P5,230 and P3,660 available through www.smtickets.com and www.ticketworld.com.ph and at regular ticket outlets. Sponsors are The Philippine STAR, Manila Bulletin, Business World and Monster Radio RX 93.1.