Artist Name: The Royal Suits
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Band Members:
Matt Williams – Vocals, Guitar, Violin
Adriana Rosen – Vocals
Roddy Wilder – Vocals
Rich Brownstein – Keyboards
Ryan Reardon – Bass
Jon Lauterer – Drums
Connect with The Royal Suits
Facebook: @theroyalsuits
Insta: @royalsuitsavl
See The Royal Suits LIVE!
June 15, 2017 // 7:00pm-10:00pm
Alive After 5 – EpiCentre
Charlotte, NC
The Royal Suits are a diverse, stylish, energetic, and highly sought after party band that performs popular and danceable genres of music – from current Top 40 and indie rock to funk, classic rock, Motown, and beyond. A true “music lover’s” band, The Royal Suits take every tune seriously and put their own original spin on it to ensure that you can feel the authentic and special energy that only comes from musicians who care about the music- AND your event’s success.
We sat down with the band to play 20 Questions and get a better understanding of who makes up this energetic ensemble.
1. How did you get your start?
I (Rich Brownstein) was approached by ECE agent Ellie Schwarz about creating a band. Ellie explained to me that ECE was looking to create a young/hip group that was a little edgier than what you’d expect from a standard wedding band. From the beginning, Ellie and I wanted to create something that lived up to ECE’s high level of expectations, but also be unique in all aspects of what we do. The first thing was to bring in Ryan Reardon and Matt Williams. On top of being stellar on bass, Ryan is phenomenal cellist. Matt is not only the band’s guitarist and one of three lead vocalists, but is also virtuoso violinist. Having that string duo would allow the Suits to be able to do all aspects of the wedding, ceremony, cocktail hour, as well as reception.
The rest fell into place from there. Jon Lauterer (our secret weapon on drums) had played in a group with Ellie. Adrianna Rosen, (the good looks and bubbly personality of the Suits) had played with Matt, Ryan and I at different times. The last piece to the puzzle was Roddy Wilder. Roddy is an unbelievable bassist, and equally as talented on vocals. Roddy and Matt were in a hip hop group together in college, so the band can be performing Frank Sinatra during the dinner set, and close out the evening with a 90’s hip hop medley that brings the house down every time!
2. Where is your favorite place you have played?
Any venue that has an exorbitant amount of coffee for the band! There’s so much that goes into a performance – from early bus calls, to load-in, to sound check, to throwing a killer party, all the way to packing up – being treated as part of the family for a day really makes the overall experience feel like home. – Adriana Rosen
3. What has been your most memorable gig?
It has to be the gig in Charleston the day after Prince died. The lights literally fell from the ceiling onto the band. It really felt like there was a force with us the entire evening driving us to play better than we ever had. Matt was on death’s doorstep. He had a combination of strep throat, mixed with a high fever, a debilitating headache, etc. How he was able to perform that night, and do it at such a high level still blows all our minds! For the band’s encore, we played “Purple Rain,” with everyone singing the falling rain call at the end. There literally was not a dry eye in the audience. – Ryan Reardon
4. What are you listening to right now?
Our van, we call her “The Swan,” makes quite the interesting noises sometimes. She can be quite loud, so more often than not we are listening to the sounds of our own voices, yelling to one another over the Swan’s cacophony. – Ryan Reardon
5. If you could meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
Prince! – The whole band agrees
6. What is your favorite song to play?
Without a doubt, our 90’s hip-hop medley! As we bounce from hit to hit, the room becomes everyone’s favorite club. West Coast classics, East Side jams, down South bangers… it’s straight money! You gotta’ experience it to believe it. – All
7. What would be your ultimate gig?
We aspire to be the first live band to play on the moon. Richard Branson- are you listening? #sirrichardtakemetothemoon – Ryan Reardon
8. What is your favorite snack on the road?
Anything homemade. I love finding little surprises on the road, like seafood markets near beach gigs, or farm cheese shops like the one we stop at near Blowing Rock, NC. – Jon Lauterer
Leftover pizza. – Roddy Wilder
Butterfingers. – Rich Brownstein
9. What is your favorite thing about being a musician?
When the whole band is in complete sync with each other, and what we’re creating onstage captures the complete attention of the audience. Nobody is looking at their phones, or talking, for a brief period of time we’re all sharing the same moment together. – Rich Brownstein
10. What is that one song that is guaranteed to get everybody out on the dance floor?
“I Want You Back” by Jackson 5. It’s one of very few songs that appeals to all generations, and gets everyone out on the dance floor. – Rich Brownstein
11. What is special about the Royal Suits?
I love that we can go from Motown to classic rock to hip hop throughout the night and do it smoothly, tastefully, and professionally. – Ryan Reardon
We are a band of characters and we wouldn’t be the same without each one of us. Our collective specialties extend beyond the stage, enriching every aspect of what we do. – Matt Williams
12. What was the first concert you attended?
Janet Jackson. – Roddy Wilder
Huey Lewis and The News. – Jon Lauterer
Neil Diamond. – Rich Brownstein
Shania Twain. – Adriana Rosen
Beatles tribute band. – Matt Williams
The Tea Party. – Ryan Reardon
13. What is the one thing you want potential clients to know about you?
From the time we are booked, to the last note we play, our focus is 110% on delivering the most unforgettable party ever. – Matt Williams
14. What do you never leave home without?
“Cleveland” our portable suit steamer! We can’t be called Royal Suits and be looking all scrappy and road-worn. – Ryan Reardon
15. If Hollywood made movie of your band, which movie stars would play the roles of your band members?
We will go with our look-alikes:
Matt- Seth Rogen
Ave- Natalie Portman
Roddy- Kevin Hart
Rich- Ralph Machio (aka “The Karate Kid”)
Jon- Brad Pitt or Joe Biden
Ryan- Benedict Cumberbatch
– Adriana Rosen
16. What is one of the things on your bucket list?
Fly across the Grand Canyon in a wing suit while singing “I Believe I Can Fly.” – Adriana Rosen
17. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
The North Pole, cuz… Santa. – Matt Williams
18. What makes you laugh the most?
Our road trips! All of us have been in too many bands to count, and we agree unanimously that we’ve never laughed more with a group than we do with the Royal Suits. It isn’t even close! – Adriana Rosen
19. What would you sing at karaoke night?
“Virtual Insanity” – Jamiroquai or “Walking In Memphis” – Marc Cohen
– Roddy Wilder
20. What would you do if you won the lottery?
We would put together an all-star band to play on the moon, and we would be part of it (of course) along with Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Flea, Trent Reznor, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Questlove, Nile Rodgers, Ariana Grande, Sheila E., Andre 3000, Jimmy Page, and if none of these folks are still around by the time our lucky number comes up, at least we could count on Keith Richards. – All 🙂
