Comprised of talented multi-instrumentalists Ryan Marshall, Mike Taylor, Gianni Luminati, Joel Cassady, and Sarah Nicole Blackwood, Walk off the Earth formed in 2006. Since then the band has become popular the world over for their elaborate reinvention of existing songs, where the group’s members will often play the same instrument at the same time or swap mid song. The band made their debut full-length release in 2007 with the album “Smooth Like Stone on a Beach”. Released by SlapDash Records the album is a far more reggae-inspired album than Walk off the Earth subsequent releases, and features a cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “People of the Sun”.
The group’s sophomore album “My Rock” was released in 2010, however it wasn’t until Walk of the Earth began covering songs that they really made their mark on the music industry. Producing a steady stream of innovative covers by the likes of The Gregory Brothers, Adele and B.o.B the group began uploading the fruits of their efforts to YouTube, which proved highly popular amongst listeners. Walk off the Earth subsequently crafted a cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” – with five members negotiating a single guitar – which has subsequently reached over 165 million views on YouTube. The success of the single led the group to sign with Columbia Records in February 2012, and perform on the Ellen Degeneres show shortly afterwards.
Walk off the Earth’s major-label debut “R.E.V.O” (Realize Every Victory Outright) was released in early 2013. Featuring 10 original compositions along with the Gotye cover, the album charted at No. 7 in Canada and spawned the singles “Red Hands”, “Gang of Rhythm”, and “Shake It Off”. Following the release, the group embarked on a worldwide tour including shows in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, and went on to win four awards at the Canadian Radio Music Awards.
Walk Off the Earth shot up the fame ladder with their youtube successes, covering many popular songs with their own unique twists. Probably their most famous is their cover of "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye with 5 people playing one guitar simultaneously. But they’ve risen out of this youtube-dom into a real band. They are extremely talented musicians as well as truly down to earth people. Their show is all about having a good time, and you won’t be disappointed. The WotE crew consists of about 5 members who jump from instrument to instrument. You’ll see ukuleles, guitars, piano, drums of all sorts, xylophones - you name it. Even songs you haven’t heard before will get caught in your head and you’ll be singing along with the crowd to jams like "Red Hands" and "Summer Vibe." "Summer Vibe" was especially pertinent at the show I went with temps in the 90s, but Walk off the Earth still made it a cool show. Balloons sent into the crowd, pictures with fans… these guys just rock! They love playing their instruments for people and it shows. If they come around again, I’m there. This is a show I can’t miss.