Parachute is a pop rock band from Charlottesville, Va., which formed during high school.
“We all just really like playing music and it was something that we enjoyed,” Will Anderson, the lead singer said.
The band had another name originally, but changed it to Parachute.
“We really wanted to change our name,” Anderson said. “We sat around for a while thinking of band names we could change it to. Finally, got around to where we had a chance to change our name and we thought of Parachute and we always thought that was a great name.”
The band released its single, “Something to Believe In,” which has been a great success.
“That song was one of the first ones I wrote after our first album,” Anderson said. “I kind of put it away for a while until Alex, our bass player, called. He remembered I sent it to him. He said, ‘we got to play this, we got to play this’, once we started talking about the new record. We played it, recorded it and it became our first single, which is out. But the lyrics just have a rallying cry.”
Soon after, Parachute went from opening for headliners to being a headliner themselves.
“When you are opening, you are trying to get everyone’s attention and hold that attention and prove to them you are worth something,” Anderson said. “When you are headlining, people are there to see you and you can have a little more lee-way and freedom to play with. We love opening. We love being hungry and being the underdog and going for it. Headlining is such a great thing to be able to just slow down and do what you want to do and play for awhile. It feels like two different shows. You’re doing the same thing, but you have two different goals in mind.”
As well as becoming a headliner, the band has gained a national audience.
“When you do TV shows and late night shows, it’s fun. You don’t really get to see the audience at all. You kind of play for the cameras. It’s kind of a weird, strange sensation in that you are trying to kill it and usually get immediate feedback in that we either killed it or we didn’t. With that, you don’t have any idea. We kind of call everyone you know and ‘How was that? How was that?’ A show like Leno, an iconic show, is very cool to be a part of and very cool to actually play on it and get to meet Jay. It gives us all something to believe in that we’re really proud of and really excited about. It’s a really good feeling.”
Their inspiration continues to keep their music going.
“I think for us, writing songs and singing and making a record we’re proud of is a big thing,” Anderson said. “I think there are a lot of bands out there who are cutting songs and making records they’re not proud of and don’t care about. All they want to do is be famous and sing a little pop ditty, be flavor of the month. I think for us, it keeps us going knowing that we’re making something we’re really proud of. I don’t know how the public reacts to that? Or critics react to that. But it’s something we are excited about and willing to play every night for two years to get people to listen to it. I think that alone is reason to keep going. I was talking with someone the other day and he has been in the music business for a while and he played in bands and he was like ‘Dude, if you believe in your music, keep going because it’s worth it.’ I think for us as long as we can keep doing something we’re proud of, and happy with and playing what people want to hear, we’ll keep going and doing it all.”
For the band’s future, it hopes to tour its new album.
“We really want to make music we’re happy about, and that is unique and something that we are proud of and that we can put our stamp on,” Anderson said. “Right now the plan is to tour for awhile and promote this album.”
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Fireflight
Fireflight is a Christian rock band with a purpose. “For Those Who Wait” and “Unbreakable” have been two of Fireflight’s major anthems that prove an inspiration.
“We write from our personal experiences, and the experiences friends, family and fans have shared with us,” Dawn Michele, lead singer said.
The band formed in the spring of 2000 in a town outside of Orlando, Fla., according to Michele.
“We got a great response to our first album, The Healing of Harms (in 2006), but our exposure and support has increased exponentially since the release of our last two albums, Unbreakable (2008), and For Those Who Wait (2010),” Michele said.
Fireflight has a wide variety of influences including Foo Fighters, 30 Seconds to Mars, Blindside and various 80’s artists.
The band has been able to perform “all over the United States, and Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Holland, Croatia, and Puerto Rico,” Michele said. “We’ve performed with countless bands including Switchfoot, Skillet, Disciple, Thousand Foot Krutch and Hawk Nelson.”
Michele said the band is looking forward to its future.
“We are currently writing our next album, and plan for it to be released early next year,” Michele said.
Band members include:
Dawn Michele-lead vocals
Adam McMillion-drums
Glenn Drennen-guitar
Wendy Drennen-bass
Justin Cox-guitar
“We write from our personal experiences, and the experiences friends, family and fans have shared with us,” Dawn Michele, lead singer said.
The band formed in the spring of 2000 in a town outside of Orlando, Fla., according to Michele.
“We got a great response to our first album, The Healing of Harms (in 2006), but our exposure and support has increased exponentially since the release of our last two albums, Unbreakable (2008), and For Those Who Wait (2010),” Michele said.
Fireflight has a wide variety of influences including Foo Fighters, 30 Seconds to Mars, Blindside and various 80’s artists.
The band has been able to perform “all over the United States, and Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Holland, Croatia, and Puerto Rico,” Michele said. “We’ve performed with countless bands including Switchfoot, Skillet, Disciple, Thousand Foot Krutch and Hawk Nelson.”
Michele said the band is looking forward to its future.
“We are currently writing our next album, and plan for it to be released early next year,” Michele said.
Band members include:
Dawn Michele-lead vocals
Adam McMillion-drums
Glenn Drennen-guitar
Wendy Drennen-bass
Justin Cox-guitar
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
My Music Recommendations
There are some great bands I have been reviewing and listening to recently. Here are some of the songs and my thoughts. Enjoy,
-Rachel
Agnes Obel “Riverside”
-“Riverside” starts out with a beautiful piano piece, followed by her unique voice. Agnes Obel is an indie singer from Berlin. Her debut album, Philharmonics was released in late 2010.
Aloe Blacc “I Need A Dollar”
-“I Need A Dollar” has a great roots sound with strong lyrics mirroring the hardships of a person who lost everything and is starting up again. Aloe Blacc is from Los Angeles, Calif. This song is from Blacc’s I Need A Dollar (How To Make It In America) EP.
Sounds like: John Legend
Brother-“David”
- “David” is an upbeat song from Brother’s Fly By Nights EP released in May 2011.
Brother is an alternative rock band from Slough, England.
The Black Ryder-“Grass”
- “Grass” is a synth rock track from their 2011 Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride album. The Black Ryder is an Australian band composed of Scott Von Ryper and Aimee Nash.
Sounds like: Unkle, Garbage
The Civil Wars-“Barton Hollow”
-“Barton Hollow” is a track from Joy Williams and John Paul White’s debut album, The Civil Wars. The track has a great beat and overall sound. Williams and White’s voices complement each other. The Civil Wars are an acoustic folk duo originally from Santa Cruz, Calif., and Loretto, Tenn., respectively.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sleeperstar
While some bands struggle, Sleeperstar has embarked on a successful journey to make them stand out of the pack. Their recent single “I Was Wrong” made it to a popular television series.
“So far it might have been the sync license for “I Was Wrong” on The Vampire Dairies,” Chris Pearson, the lead singer and guitarist said.
Also, the band didn't mind going a great distance to get its music going.
“We recorded half our EP in Sweden and the other half in LA with two dear friends that are both amazing producers,” Pearson said. “Released the EP then started touring in Dallas, Waco and Austin, Texas!”
Sleepstar had its first gig in 2007.
“We learned that we had a long long way to go to get to where we wanted to be,” Pearson said.
The long way paid off. After their 2008 “To Speak, to Love, to Listen” EP, they created “Just Another Ghost” in 2010.
“It took us 15 months to make, with 4 tours during the album making process,” Pearson said. “We threw half of the original album out and tracked 7 additional songs that we had previously written, or wrote on the road during the recording of the album.”
The origin for “Just Another Ghost” came from a song on the album.
“It’s a lyric from our song “Carry You,” Pearson said.
Their inspirations are faith, hope and love, which helps them continue to do what they love to do. They have also been inspired by other artists such as Death Cab For Cutie, Bon Iver, U2 and Coldplay.
Sleeperstar’s career has been surreal and amazing according to Pearson. They hope their music will continue to inspire others such as their influences have.
Band members include:
Shaun Menary - Drums
Chris Pearson - Guitar // Piano // Lead Singer
Nick Box - Lead Guitar // Piano // BGV’s
Jake Lester - Pianist // Organist // Strings // BGV’s
Brandon Rosas - Bass // BGV’s
(BGV - Back Ground Vocal)
“So far it might have been the sync license for “I Was Wrong” on The Vampire Dairies,” Chris Pearson, the lead singer and guitarist said.
Also, the band didn't mind going a great distance to get its music going.
“We recorded half our EP in Sweden and the other half in LA with two dear friends that are both amazing producers,” Pearson said. “Released the EP then started touring in Dallas, Waco and Austin, Texas!”
Sleepstar had its first gig in 2007.
“We learned that we had a long long way to go to get to where we wanted to be,” Pearson said.
The long way paid off. After their 2008 “To Speak, to Love, to Listen” EP, they created “Just Another Ghost” in 2010.
“It took us 15 months to make, with 4 tours during the album making process,” Pearson said. “We threw half of the original album out and tracked 7 additional songs that we had previously written, or wrote on the road during the recording of the album.”
The origin for “Just Another Ghost” came from a song on the album.
“It’s a lyric from our song “Carry You,” Pearson said.
Their inspirations are faith, hope and love, which helps them continue to do what they love to do. They have also been inspired by other artists such as Death Cab For Cutie, Bon Iver, U2 and Coldplay.
Sleeperstar’s career has been surreal and amazing according to Pearson. They hope their music will continue to inspire others such as their influences have.
Band members include:
Shaun Menary - Drums
Chris Pearson - Guitar // Piano // Lead Singer
Nick Box - Lead Guitar // Piano // BGV’s
Jake Lester - Pianist // Organist // Strings // BGV’s
Brandon Rosas - Bass // BGV’s
(BGV - Back Ground Vocal)
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Crookes
The Crookes is a pop rock band that has been influenced ’60s Motown, girl groups and modern pop music. The members met while in college in 2008 in Sheffield, England.
“We have collaborated a few times with Richard Hawley, who was always a massive inspiration to us. It was a real privilege to work with him,” the band said.
In the beginning, the band played at house parties before going on stage, playing songs about their friends.
“The guitars were out of tune, the vocals came through a bass amp and people usually nicked various pieces of music equipment before the gig had even finished,” the band said. “However, the one thing it taught us was how to put on a good show. Even if people don’t like the music, if you look like you’re going mental on stage, people will probably get into the show.”
The band has worked with other bands as well.
“We had a really interesting conversation with Win Butler from Arcade Fire about how they could improve their live show,” the band said. “We suggested covering Nirvana songs. He thought releasing thousands of helium balloons shaped like various animals would excite the British crowds.”
The band says it has a desire to succeed.
“Perhaps, we have been lucky in (that) the success hasn’t happened over night and we have constantly and still have to constantly work to promote our material and keep improving and writing new material,” the band said.
The Crookes recently released their debut album, “Chasing After Ghosts.”
“We wrote the whole thing in the living room in our big crappy house but chose to do most of the recording with our good friend Matt Peel,” the band said. “He owns a small studio in Leeds and could offer us ‘mates rates,’ which was appealing to us as at the time. I believe we were fairly broke.”
For the band’s future, they said they hope to continue making the music they love.
Band members include:
Alex Saunders: Guitar
Daniel Hopewell: Guitar
George Waite: Bass and vocals
Russell Bates: Drums
“We have collaborated a few times with Richard Hawley, who was always a massive inspiration to us. It was a real privilege to work with him,” the band said.
In the beginning, the band played at house parties before going on stage, playing songs about their friends.
“The guitars were out of tune, the vocals came through a bass amp and people usually nicked various pieces of music equipment before the gig had even finished,” the band said. “However, the one thing it taught us was how to put on a good show. Even if people don’t like the music, if you look like you’re going mental on stage, people will probably get into the show.”
The band has worked with other bands as well.
“We had a really interesting conversation with Win Butler from Arcade Fire about how they could improve their live show,” the band said. “We suggested covering Nirvana songs. He thought releasing thousands of helium balloons shaped like various animals would excite the British crowds.”
The band says it has a desire to succeed.
“Perhaps, we have been lucky in (that) the success hasn’t happened over night and we have constantly and still have to constantly work to promote our material and keep improving and writing new material,” the band said.
The Crookes recently released their debut album, “Chasing After Ghosts.”
“We wrote the whole thing in the living room in our big crappy house but chose to do most of the recording with our good friend Matt Peel,” the band said. “He owns a small studio in Leeds and could offer us ‘mates rates,’ which was appealing to us as at the time. I believe we were fairly broke.”
For the band’s future, they said they hope to continue making the music they love.
Band members include:
Alex Saunders: Guitar
Daniel Hopewell: Guitar
George Waite: Bass and vocals
Russell Bates: Drums
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Holy Vessels
The Holy Vessels are a unique country band that has a psychedelic gospel touch to it. The band is from Brighton, England, and has grown from a simple beginning.
“We formed in a bedroom, then a rehearsal studio, then on stage, repeating the process whenever nature required it,” the band said in an email. “Each member was dredged, out of necessity, from the bottom of a barrel, and wound up sounding pretty good in the warm light of day - so they stayed.”
The band’s success has been borne from playing together. They’ve had the chance to be part of The River Rat Pack Tour. www.theriverratpacktour.com
“Meeting the people we played and lived with influenced our attitude to music,” said the band. “After seeing the bands we were playing with we just want to do it.”
Their future goals are to record their debut album and continue their career.
“We are in the process of figuring out how to record our debut album on a pig farm in Oxfordshire,” said the band. “To further this we need to go on tour, then buy a house in the country to record in. Thus, our second album's going to blow your socks off.”
Band members include:
Frank Ryan
Joseph Heaselgrave
Robert Mavers
Tommy Heap
Moses Bogarde
http://www.myspace.com/theholyvessels
“We formed in a bedroom, then a rehearsal studio, then on stage, repeating the process whenever nature required it,” the band said in an email. “Each member was dredged, out of necessity, from the bottom of a barrel, and wound up sounding pretty good in the warm light of day - so they stayed.”
The band’s success has been borne from playing together. They’ve had the chance to be part of The River Rat Pack Tour. www.theriverratpacktour.com
“Meeting the people we played and lived with influenced our attitude to music,” said the band. “After seeing the bands we were playing with we just want to do it.”
Their future goals are to record their debut album and continue their career.
“We are in the process of figuring out how to record our debut album on a pig farm in Oxfordshire,” said the band. “To further this we need to go on tour, then buy a house in the country to record in. Thus, our second album's going to blow your socks off.”
Band members include:
Frank Ryan
Joseph Heaselgrave
Robert Mavers
Tommy Heap
Moses Bogarde
http://www.myspace.com/theholyvessels
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Enola Fall
Originating from Hobart Tasmania, Enola Fall formed in 2003. Beginning at a rough start, the band survived.
“We were actually called ‘Melatonin’ for awhile, but we were nearly sued by another band with the same name,” Joe Nuttall said. “We had to come up with something fast…we opened up a dictionary and an encyclopedia and pointed to two random pages.”
Their first gig was in Tasmania.
“We weren’t very well-rehearsed and we stuffed up a whole heap,” Nuttall said. “It became apparent that intent and energy are often much more important than being tight and rehearsed. Bit of a punk aesthetic.”
The band has been influenced by many bands such as Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Broken Social Scene and The Dresden Dolls. Some of which the band has been able to open for.
“We’ve toured extensively around Australia and also the UK and Germany,” Nuttall said. “On those tours we supported Amanda Palmer (lead singer of the Dresden Dolls), The Violent Femmes, The Jezabels, Turin Brakes…etc. Although it’s sometimes difficult to travel, we’ve managed it anyway.”
Since Enola Fall’s start, they have become successful with their recent album.
“It’s a change for us,” Nuttall said. “Less cabaret and more noise, but that seems to go over really well.”
Their future plans are to travel to the states and do a college tour as well as play Coachella and play some shows in Japan.
Here is their newest music video, “Andromeda”.
“The room is where we practice and write. We took two small cameras and attached them to anything we could find, kind of hung them from the ceiling and threw them around,” Nuttall said.
Band members include:
Joe Nuttall: Vocals, guitar, banjo, and keys
Stan Barnes: Drums and trombone
Lochie James: Guitar
Nick Howe: Bass
Click “Read More” for the interview.
“We were actually called ‘Melatonin’ for awhile, but we were nearly sued by another band with the same name,” Joe Nuttall said. “We had to come up with something fast…we opened up a dictionary and an encyclopedia and pointed to two random pages.”
Their first gig was in Tasmania.
“We weren’t very well-rehearsed and we stuffed up a whole heap,” Nuttall said. “It became apparent that intent and energy are often much more important than being tight and rehearsed. Bit of a punk aesthetic.”
The band has been influenced by many bands such as Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Broken Social Scene and The Dresden Dolls. Some of which the band has been able to open for.
“We’ve toured extensively around Australia and also the UK and Germany,” Nuttall said. “On those tours we supported Amanda Palmer (lead singer of the Dresden Dolls), The Violent Femmes, The Jezabels, Turin Brakes…etc. Although it’s sometimes difficult to travel, we’ve managed it anyway.”
Since Enola Fall’s start, they have become successful with their recent album.
“It’s a change for us,” Nuttall said. “Less cabaret and more noise, but that seems to go over really well.”
Their future plans are to travel to the states and do a college tour as well as play Coachella and play some shows in Japan.
Here is their newest music video, “Andromeda”.
“The room is where we practice and write. We took two small cameras and attached them to anything we could find, kind of hung them from the ceiling and threw them around,” Nuttall said.
Band members include:
Joe Nuttall: Vocals, guitar, banjo, and keys
Stan Barnes: Drums and trombone
Lochie James: Guitar
Nick Howe: Bass
Click “Read More” for the interview.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)