With a notable performance opening for Blues Traveler at the Alive at Five Music Festival in Stamford, CT; a ‘surprise hit’ showing at the historic Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI; and offers for Boston radio airplay only days after the release of their debut EP, ‘Ghosts,’ saying that The Honors are on a roll would be an understatement.

Operating out of their indie label, Wolf Den Studio, The Honors brings to the modern musical landscape a sense of value and integrity. Their sound is fresh and accessible, their attention to detail evident in the tightness of the grooves and the sweetness of the melodies. Members include Brandon Heisler on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jay Trikakis on drums and vocals, Andrew Bayardi on lead electric guitars and vocals, and Roland Nicol on basses.

At the helm of the production is Jay’s brother, Nick Trikakis, who in addition to recording Brandon’s 2006 solo album, ‘Do Me In,’ recorded and produced their 2008 EP, ‘Ghosts,’ which was released in early August at the historic Newport Folk Festival. Nick’s intuitive skills and keen ear play an integral role in the recorded in the sound of the band.

The Honors began initially as a union of friendship in 2003, when Brandon met Jay while studying at Regent’s College in London, England. Though from different backgrounds, Jay a Massachusetts native looking for inspiration, Brandon a West Virginian with a passion for lyrical self-expression, they undoubtedly shared a common interest: good music. Their experiences in London and ambitions as musicians later re-united them in Boston, where a promise to form a band became reality.

While first in Boston, Brandon worked mainly as a solo artist; occasionally performing with Andrew, also a West Virginian native whom coincidentally lived across the street from Brandon without ever having met each other. The two eventually joined forces in Boston, while Andrew was attending the Berklee College of Music. Roland and Jay worked together in another successful Boston-area band called The Press Project.

After two years performing separately, in January of 2008, Jay and Brandon solidified their fate and formed The Honors.