Rajiv Patel is an American musician and solo guitarist.

Career

Patel's Bands Soon after Before Braille recorded its debut LP, The Rumor, Patel was recruited and joined the band as its new lead guitarist.Dominic, Serene. Blind Ambition, The Phoenix New Times, Oct. 3, 2002 retrieved 02-25-12 Although only in high school, Patel would influenced the style of Before Braille's music.Carradini, Stephen. Before Braille, IndependentClauses.com, Mar. 21, 2004 retrieved 02-24-12

Patel is also known for his work as lead bass player in the band The Letterpress. Unlike many other bands, The Letterpress lacked any guitars, featuring only two bass players and a drummer.The Letterpress Official MySpace retrieved 03-15-12 This, however, allowed the band to showcase Patel's skills in quite a different way to make up for the lack of guitarists.Shimmer, Matt. Review of Input/Output by The Letterpress retrieved 03-15-12

Patel's solo work

In addition to his work as a member of various bands, Patel garnered attention as a solo guitarist. Because of his unique style, which draws on rock and Middle-Eastern influences, many critics agree that his music might take a couple listens to get used to,See, e.g., Shimmer, Matt. Indieville.com Review of Obey the Cattle retrieved 03-15-12 yet all appear to enjoy his work, noting that "If you take the time to get into it, you’ll REALLY like this."Carradini, Stephen, Independentclauses.com Review of Obey the Cattle, Feb. 22, 2004 retrieved 03-15-12 Ron Trembath at FensePost.com provides another example of the critical acclaim for Patel's solo work, calling it "the fresh cigarette on a Sunday morning or, if you prefer, the black coffee for the unsurpassed rain. This is just plain wonderful."Trembath, Ron. Rajiv Patel [Featured Artist], FensePost.com, Dec. 10, 2009 retrieved 03-15-12

Critics are "blown away by what an amazing guitarist he is" and finding it "hard to believe someone could make that much music with just one instrument".Escoto, Mike. Kinch's Christmas Party at Rhythm Room, Up on the Sun Blog, The Phoenix New Times, Dec. 23, 2009 retrieved 03-15-12

Patel's musical hiatus and return

In 2004, Patel took a two-year hiatus from the music industry to do missionary work in Peru for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).Stinkweeds Review of Cattle Punching on a Jack Rabbit retrieved 02-24-12 After returning from Peru, Patel got back into music. However, because Before Braille broke up while he was still in South America,AlternativeAddiction.com, Band profile: Before Braille retrieved 02-24-12 he initially pursued other projects. One of them, for example, was a venture with former members of Before Braille and Jared Woosley of Fivespeed called Red Means Red, although it does not appear that this band ever really got off the ground.Red Means Red MySpace retrieved 03-08-12 Then in 2009, Patel released his first solo recording in five years, the Get Phased EP, and toured with Dear and the Headlights as both an opening act, as well as its bass player.

Discography

Solo albums Release date Title Label Notes 2003Obey the Cattle Sunset Alliance 2004 Of Black Water Sunset Alliance 2009 Get Phased EP Sunset Alliance This was initially released as a tour EP, that later became available to the broader public.

Albums with bands Release date Band Title Label Notes?The Retaliation for What They Have Done to UsSelf-TitledSunset Alliance Patel's song Bipolar Bear, which appears on his Of Black Water album, is a hidden track on this album.2003The LetterpressInput/OutputSunset Alliance Ravij Patel played bass in this band instead of guitar.2004Before BrailleCattle Punching on a Jack Rabbit EPSunset Alliance2004Before BrailleBalance and Timing EPSunset Alliance, Bad News Bears Records2005Before BrailleTired of Not Being Away From HereSunset Alliance, You and Whose Army? Records2009Before BrailleKill the Messenger, Keep the MessageSunset Alliance2009Before BrailleSpring CleaningSunset Alliance The songs Ticker Tape Charade and Oh Well appear to be directly influenced by Patel's Make Like a Tree and Deer in the Headlights, respectively.2011Before BrailleInstrumentalsSunset Alliance

Solo Contributions to Compilations Americopa Mantle, Vol. 1 (Sunset Alliance, 2003) Song: Rock 'N Roll Friends Check Each Others' Books Back In

References

External links Rajiv Patel MySpace (Inactive since 2010) Sunset Alliance Records