The Quiet Room - Opposites attract

By Greg Ceci

Born and raised in Belleville with a shared love of music, Andy Forgie and Kris Tischbein have unique musical journeys that, when combined, create a powerful and deeply moving live musical experience they call The Quiet Room. Like the confluence of two powerful rivers, their distinct paths have come together to form a single, calm, and rich flow of sound.

Forgie's journey dates back to shortly after four young lads from Liverpool appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. In the 1970's, he was living the dream composing and recording for a record company but also later toured with The Monks, opened for Canadian icons April Wine, Goddo and Blue Rodeo and worked with Canadian studio legend Daniel Lanois. In the 80's, his band Photograph signed with Capitol Records and enjoyed national recognition breaking into the top ten. By the 1990s, Forgie shifted direction, focusing on children’s music with notable success, including two CDs, a community TV children’s program, an appearance on the History Channel, and opening for Bob Newhart and Andre Philippe Gagnon. At the turn of the millennium, Forgie formed a Beatles tribute called All You Need Is Love and continues to tour with the act.

He says this about his childhood, “I was very lucky to grow up in a home where music was loved and encouraged. My parents had a wonderful record collection, and I would listen to them, on their hi-fi, for hours on end!”

Tischbein has been writing and performing music for over thirty years and is driven by a desire to help refine the role of the bass guitar and how bassists are viewed.

He began studying accordion from ages six to thirteen, with his earliest musical memories stemming from watching The Lawrence Welk Show with his supportive parents. Tischbein later transitioned to bass, using the discipline of early lessons to teach himself the instrument. He's since put in the time playing with a variety of musicians and ridden a wave of solid support from his family particularly his understanding wife of thirty years.

Tischbein has also been featured in an award-winning documentary entitled Strings Of Inspiration, released two EPs of bass compositions entitled The String Theory and The Weave as well as a full-length album with his band The Zone. Kris has worked with Jake Clemons, Jerry Mercer, Emm Gryner, Adam

Werner, Carl Dixon and solo bass guru Michael Manring - a major influence, mentor and friend. Manring says, “Kris is a sensitive musician with deep skills and a big heart. His intelligence, dedication, and creativity enrich all the projects he undertakes and gives his music a unique beauty. I feel lucky to call him a friend."

Forgie and Tischbein initially met in 1989 but it wasn’t until many years later that their musical tributaries collided and the idea of The Quiet Room was born. The show consists of three sets: Tischbein opens with his solo bass compositions, Forgie follows with original songs of love lost and found, and they both perform a set of special, carefully chosen covers.

Forgie explains, “It’s all about touching the listener emotionally, Kris’ instrumental compositions take the audience wherever one is willing to go and the sky’s the limit...I love to move people, with a lyric, a story blended with melody, and hopefully reaching something deep inside.”

Attendees can expect a quiet, safe space to explore music they may have never heard before. With Forgie’s seasoned entertainment experience and Tischbein’s dedication to performance, the duo creates a memorable atmosphere of love and acceptance.

Tischbein adds, “I want people to forget about their day-to-day troubles, even for a little while, give in to the power of music, sit alone, sit quietly, or sit with friends and clap, but the idea is to leave your troubles at the door and escape from the bills that need to be paid, the troubles at work, the pain of loss and be with us and others in a safe place.” kristischbein.bandcamp.com andyforgie.com

Dive into the deep waters and let the current carry you with these two talented musicians by visiting their websites, following their social media pages, and experiencing The Quiet Room live and in person.