Cardinal Collide

Cardinal Collide is a 4 piece contemporary rock band out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A steady theme found in their debut album “Ghosts Outside Your Window” is the ever-present desire of the human spirit to overcome adversity. The band’s musical roots began at the early stages of their lives from hit tunes, and evangelical church services they all attended as kids. Their roots play a key part in the songs they create, which combine an anthem style that is layered over the top of modern rock rhythms. The band’s sound is driven with an array of piano melodies and lucid lead guitar effects creating an atmospheric ride of breathe-easy heartache. In short, if one enjoys songs that are written to inspire, one should not look any further than Cardinal Collide. Cardinal Collide was formed in 2009 by guitar player Derek McGehee, vocalist / keyboard player James Wells, and drummer / bassist, David Lambert. James and David had been friends since grade school and knew that they shared similar musical taste. In late 2008 David and Derek were in a cover band together and were both feeling unfulfilled as artists. They began to talk about possibly ditching the cover band scene and forming an original group. David suggested that James may be a possible candidate as a vocalist and lyricist. James had nearly given up on music and was back in school as a full-time student. To James, the call from David asking him if he’d be interested in putting a band together was completely unexpected. James recalls David telling him that he felt Derek was a very level headed guy who understood the magic of writing original music. The three scheduled a jam session in James’ living room and the sound that is now Cardinal Collide was born. The song “California” was the second song they wrote and was quickly followed by “Babylon,” “Cannon ball,” “Wishing Well,” and “Picture Perfect.” In 2010 Justin (Tweezy) Snyder joined the band on bass guitar, and because of his unique perspective on rhythm the song writing process hit a whole new level. Within weeks they had written “Maria,” “Jericho,” “So Long Sundance,” and “The Other Side,” followed by the rest of the album; feeling that they had all the right pieces, they booked studio time in August of 2010 and began recording the exceptional debut album “Ghosts Outside Your Window.” While writing the album, Cardinal Collide rose to the top of their local music scene regularly playing the best venues in the city and finding themselves on the bill with both national and international touring acts; and all this BEFORE they had even released their music to the public. Currently, the guys are preparing themselves for the release of their debut album while working very hard on connecting with every possible fan during their emotionally charged live performances.

Baton Rouge, LA