Radio Lark

Formed in 2009 originally under the name "The Disillusionists" by singer/songwriter (& former Cedars Lounge booking agent) Chris Rutushin on the promise of opening a show for The Click Clack Boom (Brooklyn) and Jordan DePaul & The Reputations (Youngstown) at Cedars Lounge in Youngstown, Ohio. "I love music but I was tired of hiding behind [booking] other bands", said Rutushin. "I was constantly surrounded by and being inspired by such talented friends and musicians and I always wanted to be a part of something bigger - brotherhood, a family, a band. I had tons of lyrics but no clue of how to really play guitar. The winter of 2008 was a very tough time for me. I was super broke but I had this guitar. It was all I could afford to do so I started writing tunes all bundled up in my freezing cold apartment." Rutushin went on to recruit some of the best musicians in Youngstown, Ohio to overcome his stage fright and fulfill a long promise - to finally be in a band. He also got a thrill of a lifetime in the autumn of 2009 - he met one of his heroes, Fran Healy of the Post-Britpop band Travis at The Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio after a show. Not only was he impressed by Fran's kindness, he was granted permission by Healy to "nick" a tune or two. "When I met him, he offered a handshake but I went in for a hug", Rutushin said with a laugh. "That thing you said about Noel Gallagher and how he always nicks tunes from other artists...what if I were to say I nicked some tunes from you?" "You did?" asked Healy with a smile. "Yeah." "Which ones?" "'Side' and maybe 'Sing'." "Oh, those are good ones." "I know! That's why I nicked them! So you're not gonna sue me if we ever get famous, right?" "No, no..." "So I have your permission?" "Of course!" Fran said with a smile. A few lineup changes later and with several shows under their belts, Radio Lark released their first album entitled "The Firefly Sessions" in the autumn of 2012 along with several music videos: "Rocio", "Echo", "Caroline", "Astrid Kirchherr" & "Sarasota Skies". Rick Deak (formerly of SinOmatic) joined the lineup in 2013 as their new lead guitarist and vocalist helping guide the band in a new direction and fresh sound. In 2015, they emerged from the studio with a their second album "Stolen Oranges". They released a title track music video along with the album in September the same year. Radio Lark is currently recording their third album "Wildflower" which is slated to have a 2018 spring/summer release. "So tragic not to see the magic and beauty that’s around you."