Filed under: Interviews | Tags: boston, cmj, nyc, St. helena, the alphabet lounge, the lights out
Wondering how our hometown bands are doing at CMJ? Here’s a glimpse into St. Helena’s set. The group played The Alphabet Lounge last night with fellow Bostonians The Lights Out.
*Thanks to Adam of The Lights Out for passing this along.
Filed under: Interviews | Tags: alice in wornderland, ayad, boston, cheshire cat, kung fu panda, lykke li, meat loaf, miley cyrus, passion pit, risk
Ayad (pictured above) plays synth and samples for Boston electronica band Passion Pit. He kindly answered our goofy questions for an alternate take on the standard musician/band interview.
Liv: If you weren’t in a band, what would you be doing?
Ayad: Something with music. Commercials, scoring, programming, producing, remixing…I dunno, music is all I know nowadays…
Liv: Which cartoon character would you be, and why?
Ayad: Either the Cheshire Cat (from Alice in Wonderland) or Kung Fu Panda. Cheshire Cat because I like to lounge around a lot in weird places and positions, and I’m strange too. Kung Fu Panda because I was once jumping around my house with no shirt on doing ninja kicks and my roommate said I looked like him…
Filed under: Interviews, Reviews | Tags: Barcelona, boston, brian fennell, chris bristol, copland, indie, ma, NBD music, relient k, rhett stonelake, the paradise rock club, universal motown records
Beautifully crafted piano lines complimenting the heartfelt, poignant vocals are just two of the reasons you should listen to Seattle-based indie band Barcelona. Their sound translates into a thrilling, well-crafted rock balladfest exhibiting exquisite musicianship, as I had the pleasure of experiencing this past Sunday when the band played at The Paradise in Boston. The group kept things light admidst the emotionally charged songs by cracking jokes with the audience and bringing upbeat stage presences. Brian Fennell (vox, keys), Chris Bristol (guitar, vox), and Rhett Stonelake (drums) of Barcelona kindly answered my questions a few days before the show.
Liv: The three of you studied at Seattle Pacific; were your academic endeavors music related? How did you all start making music, individually, and as a group?
Barcelona: Chris and I (Brian) both studied music at Seattle Pacific University. The three of us met playing in a musical group on campus.
Liv: You began by starting your own label, NBD music. Why did you decide to create it? Difficulties? Process? Does the label still exist?
Barcelona: Based on our early experiences in the music industry back when we started the band in 2006, we chose to release our music independently via our own label. It seemed like the most practical and controlled way of releasing our first record. We learned a great deal during the process and are proud of how it has progressed.
Liv: What is your song writing and lyrical process and inspiration?
Barcelona: I (Brian) write the lyrics, melodies, and basic song structure. Then when we rehearse as a band, I bring the song to the guys and we add parts and work it out until we have a finished product. Most of my inspiration comes from relationships I’ve been involved with, whether it’s me and someone else, or relationships outside of myself. (more…)
Filed under: Interviews | Tags: B52s, blondie, boston, bridget toner, freezepop, harper's ferry, peter gollands, provocateur, sarah guild, scott guild, the new collisions
Saturday night at Harper’s Ferry (7/25) brought out some great music from the local indie scene. Of course Freezepop rocked it; The New Collisions were fantastic on stage (see pictures) and Provocateur opened the night well. I was able to grab hold of Sarah and Scott Guild from the New Collisions before the show to ask them some quick questions about themselves, their music and their time in Boston. [Editorial note: The band was recently asked to open for Blondie, and to join the B52 for part of their east coast tour!] (more…)
Filed under: Interviews, Reviews | Tags: anthony, david letterman, howie, jay leno, johnny, liv hauck, los angeles, low vs diamond, lucas, rock n roll boston, tad
Alternative rock band Low vs Diamond calls themselves “an American band”; members Lucas, Howie, Anthony, Johnny, and Tad settled in Los Angeles from all over the country to make music together. Since forming in 2006, they released their debut self-titled album in April 2008, followed by appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno during that summer. Furiously driven guitars and drums behind sincere and beautifully written lyrics are just two of the many qualities the listener can expect from Low vs Diamond.
One such song that particularly exhibits the aforementioned traits, “Don’t Forget Sister” (number 59 in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 best songs in 2008), is magnificently crafted, offering highs and lows; drama and nostalgia; lush vocals and gritty instrumentation. The song opens with Lucas Field’s vocals over an unrelenting drum foundation and a nostalgically sweet piano line. The lead singer’s crooning is reminiscent of Brandon Flowers; however, it is quickly revealed the Low vs Diamond singer is far more passionate and less pretentious sounding than the Killers’ front man. Underneath Field’s heartfelt singing the song gains momentum propelled by the exuberant coupling of keyboard with drums and bass. Just when the listener thinks the song is going to burst into the rock hysteria, the band pulls back for the thoughtfully quiet chorus with a sing-a-long melody, “Don’t forget sister/She’ll always be true/We come from a good home/We won’t forget you” The drum never ceases its steady motion which constantly builds tension even through the restrained chorus. Finally the band explodes with aggressive guitar and lively vocals that continue to intensify into a sumptuous rock anthem worthy of becoming a classic.
Howie, the drummer of Low vs Diamond, kindly agreed to do an instant message interview. Apparently David Letterman keeps his studio freezing to prevent sweating…
Filed under: Interviews | Tags: aveda, dale bozzio, dance, debbie harry, liv hauck, michael kors, pop, rock, sarah guild, the new collisions
When attending a New Collisions show, an audience member can not only expect an energetic and flawless set, but a lesson in rock ‘n roll high fashion taught by lead singer Sarah Guild. Her fabulous platinum hair, mile-long eyelashes, and colorful, shimmery clothes rocket her from talented singer to rock diva. Sarah kindly gave me insight on how to achieve her crazy cool looks.
Liv: I give you $100 to your favorite store; where do you go, and what do you buy?
Sarah: I’d go to New York City, to Beacon’s Closet. That place is epic! For $100, you can get 3-4 unique pieces. (more…)
Filed under: Interviews | Tags: andrew, band, brandon, girls, jason, jim beam, jules verne, liv hauck, music, roland, the honors, the pill, the press project
A combination of Jim Beam and a desire to change the world produces indie rock band The Honors. The Boston four-piece creates intricate yet accessible rock songs thickly layered with gritty, compelling instrumentation, sophisticated guitar licks, and raspy sincerity. Lead singer Brandon’s passionate vocals are particularly distinguished in “Passing on Blue”; the captivating melody provides the ideal vehicle for an unrestrained, heartfelt lyrical delivery that is one of The Honors’ trademark musical elements.
Jason and Brandon of the band answered questions via email at a coffee shop on tour in Niagara Falls, NY.
Liv: What inspired you to make music together? How did you all meet?
Brandon: Someone once told us that people form bands to either change the world or get laid. I suppose you could say that we are inspired by a good mix of both. Jason: Brandon and I met while studying English at Regents College in London, England. What began as late night, post-club jam sessions grew into a lasting musical relationship. We reunited several years later in Boston and decided to form The Honors sometime in the winter of 2008. Jason was playing in a successful New England area hip-hop band called The Press Project, and after performing their final show at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival, Jason recruited the hip-hop band’s bassist, Roland, to join the new band. Andrew came to Boston to study jazz at the Berklee College of Music, and knew of Brandon through mutual friends, as both Brandon and Andrew hail from the Ohio Valley.
Liv: What inspires your music on a non-musical level? Like, a book or piece of artwork…
Jason: ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ by Jules Verne. Anything involving the ocean, really.
Liv: What was your very first show like?
Brandon: We had so much fun we can’t really remember. (more…)
Filed under: Interviews | Tags: chris pappas, liv hauck, music, passion, rocknrollboston, the everyday visuals
See the band’s myspace here.
Filed under: Interviews, Reviews | Tags: alexandra kalinowski, and mary, boston, folk, hootenannies, liv hauck, new england, old hannah, paul, peter
Eclectic musical backgrounds coalesce magnificently in the folk revival force that is Old Hannah. All from different parts of the country, members Tyler, AK, Morganne, Sean, and Blade came together in Boston, and started Old Hannah in November of 2008. The band mainly plays in hootenannies around New England, and is working on their first album. With inspiration like Appalachian and Catskillian folk music, spirituals, and Peter Paul and Mary, the band intends to “…bring historical American music back into the forefront,” as articulated by singer AK.
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Filed under: Interviews | Tags: beach boys, chris pappas, eli scheer, guitar, harmonies, indie, liv hauck, nirvana, pop, rock, tev, the everyday visuals
The Everyday Visuals: a band that is their own inspiration. A band striving to bridge the gap between mainstream and underground, and aren’t afraid to admit doing so. A band with members who wrote songs before they knew how to play instruments. A band with one motive: to create the music they love (and maybe to make some money while doing it).
The band combines indie, pop, heavy guitar, folk, Beach Boys-esque harmonies, effervescent vocals, the lead singer’s love of Nirvana, and accessible lyrics; the result of these different elements is indeed a sound that offers something for everyone without sounding contrived or unoriginal.
Eli (left) and Chris of the Everyday Visuals
Lead singer Chris Pappas’ vocals are intimately delicate while maintaining passionate veracity. His light tenor is particularly distinguished on “I’ll Take It All In Stride.” The song opens with barebones keyboard, providing the perfect structure for Chris’ elegantly vulnerable opening lines. Interspersed between the unsettlingly tender keyboard/vox duet, ethereal harmonies and joyous melodies glide flawlessly over orchestral-like instrumentation.
For a sampling of the heavier side of The Everyday Visuals, listen to “Limb to Limb”. The band mixes their trademark lilting harmonies and catchy melodies with spirited guitar and a gritty foundation of drums and bass.
Chris Pappas (lead vox, songwriter, and guitar) and Eli Scheer (guitar, keys, and back-up vox) of The Everyday Visuals sat down with me and discussed their position in the music world, music blogs that piss them off, and how the band got its name.
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Filed under: Interviews | Tags: boston, liv hauck, michael connors, sarah guild, scott guild, the new collisions
The New Collisions will get you out of your seat and dancing like a maniac. The band’s playful, synth-y pop melds perfectly with silver-haired frontwoman Sarah Guild’s sexy and intimately intense vocals. Within the first five seconds of songs like “Parachutes on the Dance Floor” and “Ones to Wander,” it is impossible not to get hooked on their addictive music. Their fantastic sound translates into an energetic and commanding live performance, making a New Collisions show one worth attending.
Scott and Sarah of The New Collisions
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