Brothers make beautiful music as a team

MANILA, Philippines - Before You Exit is a band of brothers whose passion for pop-rock music has definitely bonded them in their young adult life and beyond. Connor, 19, Riley, 17, and Toby McDonough, 15, comprise the Orlando, Florida-based American group with live performance musicians Braiden Wood and Thomas Silvers.

The McDonough brothers are in Manila for The Circuit Fest Music and Skate Festival tomorrow, May 25, at Circuit Makati. As guest performers, Connor, Riley and Toby will share the stage with Yellowcard, We are the In Crowd and Mayday Parade. Glee’s Mark Salling will host the musical event.

Before You Exit reminds one of the musically-talented bands such as Hanson brothers, The Moffats, The Jonas Brothers and Same Same.

“We all get along really well,” says Riley of his working relationship with his brothers as musical collaborators. “We all kinda have our own little strengths in the band. It works out. We work like a team.”

That’s why Before You Exit has come up with its own signature, distinct sound and songs. “We all work well in our own categories,” shares Connor. “We really get things done fast. It’s really cool ’coz we live together, too.”

“Connor is really like the productive guy,” adds Toby, who acts the group’s manager, watching over everything. “He thinks a lot. He thinks a lot of everything. He’s like the guy who focuses on stuff. He’s our video guy.”

The adage “to each his own” is apparent among the brothers and has become their strength as a promising independent group. Inside the studio or workstation, Connor and Toby create the melodies while Riley composes the lyrics.

By the way, Connor, Braiden and Thomas were the pioneering members. Riley joined the group in 2008. Four years later, Before You Exit welcomed Toby as the latest addition to its growing family. The band has produced three albums, including the latest EP titled I Like That.

Asked if it’s a conscious effort on their part to make their songs relatable, accessible and radio-friendly, Riley replies, “I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of our listeners are our same age. We relate on a lot of the same topics which really makes cool for us. We’re just like singing about something that’s like about us. And the fact that other people can relate to a situation and to a story that happened to us is really cool.” The singers and the fans are “relating on a musical level.”

The boys of Before You Exit are excited to share their music live with Filipino fans. “We’ve heard that they are very energetic, awesome and so fun,” says Connor. “We’re super excited to play.”

Expect the band to perform covers of One Direction, fun, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber that have paved the way for its musical career on YouTube and the six original tracks from I Like That.

Aside from the music the brothers have created, their name Before You Exit always catches the attention of music enthusiasts.

“When we came up with the name long time ago, the name was, we wanted it to be like something that represents us,” shares Connor. “Something that is not an average band name.”

Riley adds that the name Before You Exit aims, “to inspire other people to go to, like, whatever they love the same way that we’re playing music” which the band loves to do every single day of their lives.

Connor, Riley and Toby wish to be a “good influence on others” in following their dreams. They are not only out there to entertain but also to make a difference in people’s lives, banking on their talent and popularity. This has become their guiding principle and inspiration in all their recording outings and live performances.

Let’s troop to Circuit Makati and enjoy the music of Connor, Riley and Toby. Judge for yourself the difference of their music from the existing ones which have been dominating the airwaves and concert venues.

(The Circuit Fest Music and Skate Festival is presented by Coloud Headphones, Astroplus, Music Management International, Circuit Makati and the Republic of Philippine Exiters. For details, call 891-9999 or log on to www.facebook.com/astroplus1.)