21 year-old singer/songwriter Troy Cono has been writing his own songs since the age of 4, when he learned to play the piano from watching his older brothers (with whom he would later collaborate on many songs). At the age of 14, he picked up the guitar for the first time, and as with many other instruments since, he very quickly learned how to play. While he attended a metro Atlanta high school, Troy met his future drummer, Billy Nielsen, who would later introduce him to the band's bass player, J.T. Langly. It was not until after high school that this group of Atlanta raised musical prodigies actually started playing together. Beginning with many of the radio friendly songs that Troy had written over the past 5 years, the band started working together to complete their sound, and begin writing material together collaboratively. Feeding off the sheer energy and attentiveness of their crowded live shows, Exit Left decided to take their hit songs into the studio. It was these songs that would later become Brand New Tattoo, the debut album from Exit Left, produced by David Leonard (India Arie), that they released independently in July of 2002.
Since the release of Brand New Tattoo, Exit Left has become a household name among many age groups. Recently, the beer company, Pilsner Urquell decided to sponsor Exit Left along its road to success. This has opened the door on many opportunities that were never possible without the financial backing of a big corporation. Since acquiring this beneficial entity, Exit Left has performed for several Pilsner Urquell promotional shows all over the Atlanta area. "I find most often, that the biggest reason our music is so popular, is because out fans can relate to it so easily," says Troy. Everything horrible that has happened to me, has happened to someone else before me, and will eventually happen to someone else after me. Like many people, music is my emotional outlet. I remember that there was always a song there when I needed one to get me through a tough time, so I just try to write songs now that will do the same for someone else."
With the addition of David Klanac, a student at UGA, on lead guitar in May of 2002, Exit Left has now completed their sound, perfected their stage show, and are ready to rock their way to the top with Brand New Tattoo and many albums to come. There is not any place this band cannot go so early in their career, and being four extremely handsome, extremely talented men in a rock band is a recipe for success that every record company will be begging for in the very near future.
Check out Exit Left's website for more information, song downloads, contact links and more! Then, be sure to go over to cdbaby.com and pick up their debut cd Brand New Tattoo!
Thanks so much to Exit Left for their amazing live version of "Naveed"!