River City Extension co-founder Joe Michelini has always had a love for music. Even at an early age, Joe knew exactly what he wanted in life. He started writing songs in high school, and began playing at coffee shops in New Jersey in hopes of spreading his music throughout the state. Joe, who was raised to play not only the cello but also the piano, first began jamming alone under one name, though switched gears when he found out someone else had beat him to it. “I found out there was a band with the original name I had chosen somewhere in Pennsylvania. I figured if, god forbid, I ever do something successful in music, I should probably change the name so I came up with River City Extension,” Joe says. After sealing the deal on the band name, River City Extension began to grow as Joe met more and more musicians along the way. He reconnected with a cellist he used to play with in a string ensemble and invited her to come to the studio to record. While not fully the 8-piece band that River City Extension would eventually become, Joe slowly pieced the band together member by member. Even though the band still had yet to be fully assembled, Joe continued to create what would become River City Extension as things started to grow, and his friendships continued to blossom. “We put out an EP, which was my brainchild, but we didn’t have a full band yet. It was like me consulting Mike (Costaney, the drummer) who has always been my confidant and Jen (Fantaccione, the cellist) who started the band with me,” Joe says. “We just approached people and said, ‘Look we are trying to make a record, will you help?’” Little by little, things began coming together. Joe continued to contact individuals who meant most to him on a musical level in an attempt to help things come to fruition. One of those special people was Eric Sanderson, the vocalist for the now-defunct Pela, a band that was an inspiration to Joe. River City Extension was even named after the song “The Trouble with River Cities” by the Brooklyn-based band, which sadly split in 2009 after five years together. “I reached out to Pela when we made our first record, and they were kind enough to invite us to open for them at the Mercury Lounge in New York,” he says. “We played with them and they were my musical heroes for a while.  We became very good friends and I asked Eric if he would record our record since he also produced the Pela record as well.” The band’s luck continued when they signed to an up-and-coming independent label. While recording their first full-length album, The Unmistakable Man, the band was fortunate enough to join indie label XOXO Records, home of breakouts The Gaslight Anthem and the legendary Squeeze. “We signed with XOXO Records halfway through recording The Unmistakable Man, and asked Eric if he would be able to come down to produce our record,” Joe explains. “I told him we wouldn’t be able to give him any money, but could put him up and pay for food. Thankfully, he said he would.” Joe believes that everything happens for a reason and the experience of signing to a label was no simple stroke of luck. “Everything happened very organically,” Joe explains. “Our manager, Bill O’Brien, had been helping develop the band for awhile and he decided to manage the band as well.” While Joe never envisioned the latest River City Extension record as a concept record, he can see why many critics have referred to it as one. The album tells a story but not by way of a concept per say, Joe explains. “I am happy with the record because I feel like it is a concept album but it wasn’t on purpose. The reason we make music is because we have to. I love being in a band, and I love being with the people I am with. It really is, but without an actual concept,” he says. “Everything is true. Everything that is put in that record, every subtle track, somehow has some connection personally. That is how we make music.” Joe feels that a strong bond among all those involved in creating a record is what is key. He believes that everyone should be part of a team. Joe feels that a crucial part of being successful lies simply in your closeness to those around you, and those that mean the most to you. Joe feels that his relationship between the band and XOXO Records is something more than what can be captured using simple description and words. “They have done great things for us, and Jay (the owner of XOXO Records) has gone above and beyond. We all put our heads together so we can make this thing work. We spend lot of time together,” Joe explains. “I think it is really important for any band.” Though it is uncommon for most bands, Joe believes it is something that should be done. They all even had Thanksgiving together last year, before breaking away and celebrating later with family. Another inspiration to Joe and his band was the Scotland born folk-rockers, Frightened Rabbit. Peter Katis, who produced the last few records by the band, is someone Joe hopes to collaborate with in the future. “I haven’t been able to get in touch with Frightened Rabbit at all.  They are such a fantastic band and he is such a fantastic songwriter. Peter Katis produced their album, Midnight Organ Fight, and I would really like to do an album with him as he has a relationship with Eric Sanderson. Peter offered to produced Pela’s second full-length album but then they broke up,” Joe says. “I have my fingers crossed that one day we will be able to do a record with him.” Joe feels that music is more than just sounds from an instrument or a microphone. He feels it is so much more than that. “Music is a very spiritual thing and it is important to connect with everyone you are making music with all the way down to the label,” he says. “Jay really cares about music and Bill does as well. We have been really fortunate to build such an excellent team around us.” Joe feels that River City Extension and their music are more than just simply music. The music can reach things more on a higher level, and he hopes his band can obtain that as well. “I want to make music that really connects to the human spirit. The reason people connect with bands is because it is completely real. I would love to write something that is outside of my element,” Joe says. “But in the meantime, I just want to write about what I know and where I grew up. I want to create something that my friends and family are proud of. I want to make music that will inspire people to follow their dreams, and be confident that they can spread their story and their word.”