Burning Trail artists: Luke Cook, Guitar; Cati Domitrovich, Lead vocals; Acacio Carvalho, drums, song writer, composer, producer. Below: Cati in the sound booth at The Noiz Faktory
Local band doing fame the right way
When Georgetown native Cati Domitrovich was asked to help friends who had been locked out of the house, she had no idea it would be the beginning of what could be a promising new career in music.
The friends in question were Erik Meyer, owner of The Noiz Faktory recording studio in Georgetown, and Acacio Carvalho, who happened to be looking for collaborators for his new sound—pop music with the raw energy of rock.
The band has already released two EPs they believe resonate with people at an emotional level; “A Moment of Clarity”, and “Translucid”.
Guitarist Luke Cook explains emotional connection is at the heart of his inspiration. “I grew up out in the country. There weren’t a lot of people who liked what I did, but I had records I could play. I want to share what I felt, with music, with other people. Any time, for any emotion, my first go-to is to listen to music. In that will be catharsis or a catalyst to continue on my journey.” He adds with a smile, “I also though it was really cool the first time I saw Jimi Hendrix play guitar.
Cati Domitrovich
Domitrovich is a veteran of community theater in Georgetown and had planned to study marine biology and be a dolphin trainer, but she is eager to be a part of this group on a path to greater things. “People told me I should do something with my voice, but I had seen how fame can change a person. But these are good people. This is the time to try and I would love to take the chance. It’s an amazing experience.”
Carvalho is solid on the slow-and-steady build up of popularity as the best means to spread their message. Having been in the business together for some time now, they all eschew the idea of contests or competitions because, Carvalho says, “Since you didn’t build it, it is too easy for it to get away from you. That can be a very dangerous road. If you have a foundation, when you’re out there and things start to get a little shaky, you can step back and regain control. When you have a slow build, by the time you get there, you are ready, through adaptation, for the lifestyle.”
All agree that the “glamorous life” is only about five percent of the job; playing shows and entertaining. The rest is 12-hour writing days or long recording sessions; working on just one song or video. Cook also went to school knowing that a business degree would help manage the administrative side of the music—or any—business. “It’s a business as well as a passion. It’s not just show up with the groupies and take over the city.”
The working plan is reaching out the community via social media. Carvalho says, “We are focused on an Internet following and growing the demand for shows so when we begin playing live, there will be crowds in line to see us.”
Burning Trail will be producing more songs and videos over the next year and when they begin to get the response they are looking for; “when we start to see that there are real people behind all those ‘likes’ we will begin scheduling shows and reaching out directly to the following.”
Carvalho says music is like therapy to him; no matter what changed in his life, music was the one constant. “As I grew older, I wanted to make people feel certain things and at this point, it’s not about me any more, it’s about making people feel what I felt when I wrote the song. Music is not just background sound to life, there are people behind it.”
Visit their website www.BurningTrail.net for samples of their songs and free downloads to get a taste of their unique style and, as they say, their “own musical path, unapologetic and unafraid.”
