Issue #34

ISSUE 34

HIGHLIGHT

MAGAZINE

MAJOR LEAGUE – MISTERWIVES – GIFT GUIDE – JAYMES YOUNG – VANCE JOY & MORE

ARTIST OF THE YEAR HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 1

2 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

editor-in-chief jenn stookey

IGHLIGH

co-founder – art director cara bahniuk co-founder – photographer ashley osborn online editor nick yacovazzi copy editor courtney dondelinger digital marketing olivia adams co-founder mckenzie hughes contributing photographers

cara bahniuk, matt burke, dan deslover, brendon donahue, courtney dondelinger, tarina doolittle, jordan fischels, brad heaton, megan leetz, anjel lopez, nicole mago, charlie martel, david mullis, laura murray, ally newbold, savana ogburn, ashley osborn, heather phillips, petey place, sam polonsky, sam roenfeldt, sam san roman, kaiden seven, daniel shippey, nicole fara silver and amy willard

contributing writers (online & publication)

haley black, jennifer boylen, geoff burns, haley buske, colleen casey, madison convey, rebecca del castillo, trevor figge, tamara fuentes, jessica klinner, catt kruger, jordyn lockwood, daisy marietta, zoe marquedant, bridjet mendyuck, theresa pham, christina santamaria, annette schaefer, alyssa schmidt and nick yacovazzi

digital marketing team

olivia adams, kelly basdavanos, geoff burns, tim mcgovern, megan shea and catie suliga

news posters

tegan burkhard, caroline hall, michelle loebsack, samia mirza and sarah akomanyi

_________________________ website twitter highlightmagazine.net @highlightzine facebook instagram facebook.com/highlightmagazine @highlightzine _________________________ thank you

thank you echosmith, warner brothers music, atlantic records, the catalyst publicity group, secret service pr, stunt company, carry the 4, jen appel, drop dead clothing co, and everyone who has read our issue. thank you for supporting us for another wonderful year!

_________________________ 06 echosmith jordan fischels

07 vance joy sam polonsky

misterwives cara bahniuk

his dream of lions andrew markowitz

issues ashley osborn

staying for the weekend sam polonsky

jaymes young sam polonsky

major league sam polonsky HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 3

december

05 this or that 08 clothing highlight 11 label highlight 12 venue highlight 14 highlighted artists 15 film highlight 17 industry highlight 18 top 10 of 2014 22 holiday gift guide 26 staying for the weekend 28 his dream of lions 30 major league 32 misterwives 36 jaymes young 38 vance joy 42 echosmith 52 tour round up issues jukebox the ghost magic man dustin kensrue manchester orchestra twenty one pilots 62 reviews

4 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

THIS

OR

WALK THE MOON

HOT CHOCOLATE

THAT

NEW POLITICS

50%

50%

60%

40%

THE NATIONAL

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE ALT-J

20%

80%

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 5

ECHOSMITH 38

MISTERWIVES 20

LIVE PHOTOS 26

6 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

JAYMES YOUNG 34

30 VANCE JOY

24 HIS DREAM OF LIONS

48 STAYING FOR THE WEEKEND

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 7

28 MAJOR LEAGUE

8 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

STAFF: Julia - PR & Marketing Department LOCATION: Sheffield, UK WEBSITE: dropdead.co HOW DID DROP DEAD BEGIN?

Founded by Bring Me The Horizon frontman, Oli Sykes in his bedroom as a creative outlet almost 10 years ago.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOUR BRAND REPRESENTS?

A unique collection of designs enabling the wearer to stand out from the crowd.

WHY DID YOU START YOUR BRAND?

Same reason as what we feel our brand represents.

THREE PERSONAL FAVORITE DESIGNS?

From the current season – Majic Dress, a versatile dress that adds some sparkle to your day look.

Black Stabbath Crop Top – amazing detail and again something that looks amazing dressed up in the evening or with high-waisted jeans for daytime.

Plus Hannah’s design looks incredible.

Bunny Butt Shorts – what’s not to love about these?

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CHECK OUT YOUR BRAND?

Cause it’s awesome.

f /DROPDEADOFFICIAL t @DropDeadUK i @dropdeadofficial

10 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

YOU MAY WANT TO LISTEN TO...

Epic Records is a division of the powerhouse, Sony Music Entertainment. Despite its origins as a jazz imprint, Epic now boasts vastly popular acts of all genres—pop, metal, rap, and even indie pioneers (Modest Mouse, anyone?)—allowing the label to reach a wide audience. The company, headed by chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, seems to have an aptitude for snatching up the next big artists right before they seem to be everywhere you look. Epic currently has its hands full with an impressive roster, and we’ve picked a few of our favorites for you to check out.

KONGOS The guys of KONGOS have a few really important things in common: deep passion for music, eclectic influences and virtuoso genes. The band of brothers – Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Danny – come by their talents honestly; their father, John Kongos, is a skilled South African/British musician who experienced success in the ‘70s as a singer-songwriter. Their unique sound has gone over effortlessly with the general public, and their wildly popular single “Come With Me Now” may be the coolest song featuring an accordion to ever hit the radio. As far as their debut album Lunatic is concerned, KONGOS touches on an array of different styles and sounds thanks to their global background (the Kongos brothers spent much of their childhood in the UK and South Africa). Their successful runs on headlining tours and playing popular festivals like Coachella and Osheaga shows how much people are intrigued by KONGOS and their original sound – and so are we.

Listen to: “I’m Only Joking”

MEGHAN TRAINOR In terms of overnight success stories, Meghan Trainor is a shining example. With a natural knack for writing infectiously catchy songs, Trainor has penned hits for artists like Rascal Flatts, Hunter Hayes, and Hot Chelle Ray singer Ryan Follesé— all during her teenage years. Now 20 years old, she has her very own debut album set to be released early next year. Her first single, “All About That Bass,” launched her into the mainstream radio, but the success of her follow-up track “Lips Are Movin” proves that she is gracefully dodging the one-hit-wonder label.

Despite being an international superstar with a hit that has been certified four times platinum (yes, four times) and held an impressive position at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Trainor remains humble and relatable, with song after song about topics most girls can sympathize with. Her unique blend of pop, hip hop and even Caribbean soca sets Trainor apart from anything else on the radio and is an instant bad mood remedy.

Listen To: “Title”

NEW HOLLOW Unlike most fourth graders, Mookie Clouse, Evan West, and Chad Blashford were serious about perfecting their crafts at the young age of 9 years old. By the time they were 13 years old, the Ohio-based group of boys formed a band. Today, New Hollow has some impressive accomplishments under their belts despite the fact that they are all still teenagers. Before scoring a deal with Epic, they were the first unsigned band to ever top the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart. The magazine also featured them as one of the Bands To Watch For in 2013. Last year, the group also opened for Carly Rae Jepsen and Big Time Rush. Their cover of B.o.B’s “Airplanes” is a fan favorite, but their debut single “She Ain’t You” showcases the band’s personality and eclectic influences. Though Clouse, West, and Blashford know how to have a laugh (make sure to check out their hilarious Vine account), it’s obvious that they are serious and ambitious when it comes to their music, and we’re sure that when they finally release a full-length album, it’ll be worth the wait.

Listen to: “She Ain’t You” WORDS: Christina Santamaria

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 11

VENUE HIGHLIGHT SUMMIT MUSIC HALL - DENVER, CO HISTORY The Summit Music Hall is a fairly modern addition to the Denver music scene, as it was founded in the summer of 2010.

The newly modeled space does not have the character or charm of older venues, but it has been a positive installment to the Lower Downtown area, giving touring musicians a new space to perform, local bands the opportunity to partake in CD release shows and fans to catch some of their favorite live acts.

WHY PLAY HERE? Located in the heart of Denver (LoDo to be more specific), the venue is just blocks away from Coors Field, nightclubs, rooftop bars, endless dining options and the 16th Street Mall. There are plenty of places to wander off to before a show, and the fun does not have to stop afterwards either. With a raised stage and balcony, the Summit is ideal for an intimate, yet energetic set with easy access to up-close-and-personal crowd interaction. Many venues lack roomy eating areas, but the Summit provides just enough room to take a breather from bouncing around in the crowd, and grab a slice of pizza. There is even a separate section of the venue that can be blocked off for a more intimate concert setting called The Moon Room. Not to mention, the venue books acts from local musicians to larger scale tours like New Found Glory and Imagine Dragons.

f /TheSummitMusicHall

WWW

thesummitmusichall.com

DECEMBER 8TH

DECEMBER 9TH

DECEMBER 12TH

DECEMBER 13TH

Suicidal Tendencies

Blue October

Say Anything & Saves The Day

Neon Trees

12 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

REVIEW: Haley Black

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 13

HIGHLIGHTED

ARTISTS DREE PATERSON Location: Los Angeles, CA Current Single: “Over”

Pop-rock artist Dree Paterson brings catchy melodies to the forefront of her music. The singer based out of Los Angeles mixes the stylings of Paramore and Kelly Clarkson for a high-energy pop sound that will stick in your head for days.

Dree is also an acclaimed songwriter with music placed on international artist Robert M’s album 2013, and has had songs featured on the hit TV shows “Parenthood” and “White Collar.”

RACHEL MALLIN Location: Kansas City, MO Current Single: “Razorback” Indiepop artist, Rachel Mallin, has an incredible ability to connect with her fans. The singer/producer based out of Kansas City is a self-made producer on her own record, as her most recent EP, The Persistence of Vision, was written, recorded and produced in the confines of her own musical dojo, bringing listeners a personal exploration into her music.

SHIP CAPTAIN CREW Location: Chicago, IL Current Single: “Notebooks” Members: Roy Coghill – Bass, Ben Darling – Guitar, Roger Moreno – Vocals, Mike Reda – Drums and Angelo Sakellaropoulos – Guitar Ship Captain Crew aren’t your typical indie-rockers. The fivepiece based out of south Chicago showcases a combination of melodic, punk-infused breakdowns with resonating instrument, while refusing to conform to the suggested pop-punk stereotypes. The band isn’t afraid to explore darker themes and heavier overtones.

14 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

WORDS: Nick Yacovazzi

HIGHLIGHTED STUART MURDOCH’S MUSICAL GOD HELP THE GIRL

FILMS

God Help The Girl taps into the hopes of every indie girl and boy and plays them out on the big screen. It’s an unconventional love story with a hipster twist; just like the high school or college romance we all wish we had.

It’s got that idealist romance feel to it, much like the first half of (500) Days of Summer, only it manages to dodge the clichés and disappointment. As much as it can be predictable at times, God Help The Girl brings with it a twinge of reality that makes it more than a rom-com. It crawls out of the cookie cutter mold when you least expect it, dancing and singing all the way, because after all it is a musical.

The film centers on Eve: troubled, talented, fashionable and played by the lovely Emily Browning— she is a stylized version of your modern day indie heartthrob. Her character, although calculated, has something envious about it. She has the straight across bangs, effortless voice, love of a lanky, somewhat bumbling guitarist and unsettled backstory that all push her right up against the line between reality and clichéd fantasy. She is this perfect mix of who you want to be and who you want to be wary of. When she sings Belle and Sebastian’s “Act of the Apostle Part II” as she catches the train to the big city, it’s as if the scene were lifted from the daydreams of some listless teenager. Even the opening scene when Browning shimmies out a window in the early hours of the morning to go to a concert, initially has the mark of a badass on it that in certain lights seems so attractive. The audience is left coveting her wild existence, but only briefly.

Suddenly, the narrative is flung back to the hospital ward, from where we learn Eve escaped, and we’re left to unpack Eve’s inner troubles while the buzz of the previous night’s excursion still lingers. From that point forward, the aspiring singer, with whom we trusted our envy, quickly evolves into a much more rounded character than what first impressions implied. Sure, she is still given a hesitant love interest early on, but God Help The Girl isn’t so straightforward boy-meets-girl. Instead, director and writer Stuart Murdoch slowly lays out the day spent in the ward after the concert, leaving the audience to assemble the crux of Eve’s problem on their own. The answer comes quickly enough, but then the question becomes a search for Eve’s solution. As she leaves treatment, the audience is left wondering, “Now what?” The truths of those early scenes linger on the mind as the narrative flows on through the length of the forthcoming summer.

During those warm months, viewers are treated to a sort of Wes Anderson-esque tilt to reality as Eve wanders into Glasgow in search of a life outside the ward. Visually, everything is just a little different: the colors pop, the clothes seem crisp and the characters seamlessly shift into micro-monologues.

There’s exactitude and a humor that feels as if it were finely planned, but it always seems believable. Even in the movie’s more metafiction moments, like when the voiceovers talk over themselves, God Help The Girl always maintains a strong hold on reality.

Staying in the realm of possibility is what allows Murdoch to comment on the ridiculousness of the true-to-life situations he portrays. In these glancing remarks, he pokes fun at music culture and tropes. When the movie’s male lead James goes on a rant about “the name conversation,” the audience sides with him. This is because his observation, although presented in boyishly stubborn hysteria, is absolutely true and recognizable. Murdoch banked on his audience understanding that “name conversation,” was the conversation in which a band decides (read: bickers) on what to call themselves. They also had to understand James’s hesitance to have said conversation and they did – the scene translated beautifully.

Murdoch blends these moments into a wonderfully worded script so that they seem like natural parts of conversation that merely leave audience members wishing they had wittier friends. In a similar moment of observation, Murdoch uses Anton, a towering, smoldering German Swede with the bad band, but handsome looks, to poke fun at the film’s adherence to the stereotypes of music. During a rather flirtatious exchange with Eve, Anton’s band mate makes a snarky comment, “She is unbelievable...but, it’s not like she’s gonna look at us with all the Swiss Germans here.” It’s a realistic line, but it also feels like a bit of a nod to the audience, in which the film recognizes its own mild absurdity. It recognizes how much Anton is a walking lead singer stereotype. Much of the film is spent offsetting stereotypes in these comical little moments.

The film weaves songs, both original and by Murdoch’s own Belle and Sebastian, into the dialogue in such a way that they follow the storyline perfectly and give the movie this merriment and charm, despite the occasionally depressing subject matter or scene. During these songs, the film seems tailored for people who listen obsessively to music.

Murdoch also uses the songs to tie the larger narrative back to Eve’s personal struggles. As James points out during one scene, “if you listen to the songs,” you can figure out where Eve is emotionally throughout the film. However, Murdoch makes no attempt to romanticize her pain. In the scenes where Eve sits at the piano in soft light, the audience may want her haircut or her voice, but they don’t want her troubles. But Murdoch doesn’t make her a damsel in distress either. In writing Eve, he gave her more than just the ability to break the hearts of men. She has real, believable problems, but also the drive to overcome them herself. She stands as an image of both weakness and strength. Her path to recovery is given an upward trajectory with a realistic pacing. As the film follows her from the ward to budding stardom, she wavers, errs, backslides, rights and trudges on. She is given a happy ending, but perhaps not the one you expect. This is perhaps the greatest aspect of the film. In slight-twist ending, Eve proves once and for all that she isn’t some manic pixie dream girl. Instead, she stands on her own, and the film becomes more about self-discovery and empowerment. And music. Always music.

REVIEW: Zoe Marquedant

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 15

16 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL STORY/WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY?

I always knew that I wanted to work in Public Relations however it was later in my career that I was introduced to the music industry.

During my time in Grad School I was given an opportunity to work in the industry and I was instantly hooked. I was always a huge fan of music, even played in band during high school, but never thought music could become a career. When I quickly learned that I could adapt my PR skills to musicians, I felt there was so much more I could do to help bands excel. I wanted to create a company that honed in on emerging artists that needed the all-around assistance in the most trying time of their career. There is nothing more gratifying then helping musicians achieve their dreams.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES A GOOD PUBLICIST? WHAT SHOULD BANDS LOOK FOR WHEN WANTING TO HIRE A PUBLICIST?

To be a good publicist you have to understand the needs of your client, the needs of editors, and how to connect the dots. You have to be on top of your game and be able to work in a very fast pace environment. Staying organized is key and will save you a lot of time in the long run. When looking to hire a publicist, bands should consider where they are in their career and if a publicist is a necessity.

If you are gearing up to release new content a publicist would be wise to have on your team (keep in mind to hire a publicist well in advance for proper prep time). Bands should also look for a publicist that is going to be their added member, a person or team that champions them on and believes in their music.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?

My favorite part about working in PR is being able to communicate with so many different people on a daily basis. Every day is different in this job and that is what makes it so special.

WHY IS PUBLICITY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Publicity is crucial. Without publicity there would be disconnects between the client and the public. We, as publicists, are here to make that connectivity as smooth as possible.

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHT NAME: Jen Appel LOCATION: Fort Lauderdale, FL

JOB: Publicist at Catalyst

WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CAREER MOMENTS?

First and foremost would have to be the day I applied for my LLC. Starting The Catalyst Publicity Group came out of a terrible first experience in the music industry that drove me to want to change the way things are run. Second, bringing in Chrissy Borsellino to Catalyst.

Chrissy has been my right hand lady since day one and we wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for her perseverance. And finally would have to be the day I found out I was speaking at SXSW 2015.

This is a bucket list item for me and the fact I get to speak at the conference in just a few months is beyond memorable.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?

We are still a boutique PR firm and there is so much more to accomplish. I am really proud of my team, my company, and where we are today. It has been a wonderful two years and we’ve had the pleasure of working with some talented musicians along the way.

I hope to continue the stride to build an even bigger PR firm and continue helping musicians achieve their dreams.

i @JenAppel @CatalystGroupPR t @JenAppel_PR / @CatalystGroupPR WWW

thecatalystpublicitygroup.com HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 17

T O P

1 0

O F

2 0 1 4

OUR FAVORITE ALBUMS FROM THIS YEAR.

NUMBER 10

Artist: Taylor Swift Album: 1989 “Pop culture enthusiasts will look back on the most impactful stars of the 20th & 21st century and in my humble opinion, they will look to The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Taylor Swift. Delivering an unbelievably bare-all pop album, Swift has shattered industry norms and records for an album that defines the lynch pin of her career.”

Nick Yacovazzi (Online Editor) “1989’s instrumentation leaves you begging for more as its lyrical melody is engraved in your brain simply because there was attention to detail. Musically, the album is dense and intricate. Vocally, the production grabs your ears throughout the full album. Despite being a generic pop album Taylor Swift has managed to creep her way into my top ten with all of her charm and moxie.” Trevor Figge (Writer)

NUMBER 9

Artist: Bad Suns Album: Language & Perspective “This was my summer album of 2014; beachy, constant feel-good vibes throughout, never wavering or killing the mood. Sometimes an album like this is essential.” Haley Black (Writer) “After hearing ‘Cardiac Arrest’ on local radio stations months before the album release I was on the edge of my seat. Then the date came and I couldn’t have been more ecstatic on how it turned out. Nothing about this album made me question their motives as musicians and I’m pretty sure I turned all of my friends into fanatics.” Jenn Stookey (Editor-In-Chief)

NUMBER 8

Artist: Ed Sheeran Album: X

“It’s hard to compare Ed Sheeran’s second LP to his first, but X is neck and neck with his previous album with a combination of lovable radio singles, wedding-dance worthy ballads, and a mouthful of shrewd lyrics that leave you out of breath when you sing along.” Haley Black (Writer) “Ed Sheeran is the best lyricist in mainstream music. Each song on X takes listeners on a very vivid journey through the trials and tribulations of love and heartbreak.” Jessica Klinner (Writer)

NUMBER 7

Artist: The Hotelier Album: Home Like No Place Is There “An album and band that stands on it’s own, The Hotelier may be the best kept secret in music. It’s a poetic masterpiece combining provoking lyrics atop of technical guitars and drums. Home Like No Place Is There is brilliant from start to finish.” Nick Yacovazzi (Online Editor) “The Hotelier has put out an album that truly encompasses what it is like to experience love, loss, hatred, and a variance of other emotions. The band outlined the scenery while Christian Holden’s voice and lyrics fill the picture with bright and vibrant colors. It cracks and bends as he tackles some of the most difficult concepts one could write about. This is Emo. This is what it is like to feel.” Trevor Figge (Writer)

NUMBER 6

Artist: 5 Seconds of Summer Album: 5 Seconds of Summer “5 Seconds of Summer embody all the catchy hooks and lyrics of All Time Low and the vocal versatility of One Direction. They’re part boy band, part pop-rock group—a hybrid difficult to come by and even more difficult to compete with.” Jessica Klinner (Writer) “Say what you will about these young, Aussie pop-rock stars.

They may share the stage with pop kings, One Direction, but their pop punk influences can’t help but bleed into some of their tracks, particularly ‘Social Casualty’. Catchy choruses may tip their scale toward more pop than punk, but the power chords are undeniably present. 5SOS may be a boy band at heart, but one that is more reminiscent of All Time Low than of Backstreet Boys.” Tegan Burkhard (News Poster)

NUMBER 5

Artist: Major League Album: There’s Nothing Wrong With Me “Each and every song on this album tore me apart and barely sewed me back together with the level of emotions inside it.” Daisy Marietta (Writer) “Vocalist and guitarist Brian Joyce took over vocal duty after original Major League vocalist Nick Trask left the band in January and it worked for the band’s advantage. The album demonstrates an entire new side of Major League people haven’t seen from the band before.

It’s more aggressive and is the stepping stone into finding its true sound.” Geoff Burns (Writer, Digital Marketing)

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 19

NUMBER 4

Artist: Taking Back Sunday Album: Happiness Is...

“When a band has such a strong and respected discography as Taking Back Sunday, it’s hard to keep fans pleased, but with the release of their 6th studio album, the rock and roll veterans prove they are a long way from burning out.” Jessica Klinner (Writer) “This album felt like touch of old school Taking Back Sunday in 2014 and I’m definitely not one to complain about that.” Annette Schaefer (Writer)

NUMBER 3

Artist: LIGHTS Album: Little Machines “If I ever need a pick-me-up, LIGHTS is one of my go-to artists. Her upbeat style is lighthearted and pure fun, while including uplifting lyrics to keep you feeling connected and inspired.” Haley Black (Writer) “I was a fan of LIGHTS before this album, but I wasn’t completely sold. Now I am beyond sold and wish I had taken the time earlier. Little Machines is easy on the ears, holds perfect lyrical content, and provides evidence for how great music can turn out and transform from an idea and hard work.” Jenn Stookey (Editor-In-Chief)

NUMBER 2

Artist: This Wild Life Album: Clouded

“The very interesting duo looks hard on the outside, but once you hear vocalist Kevin Jordan‘s gentle pipes and Anthony DelGrosso’s swift finger picking, a soothing sensation takes over. Clouded covers everything from heartbreak and loneliness to angst and moving on.”

Haley Black (Writer) “This Wild Life injects a dash of sunshine into melancholic lyrics. The spotlight here is the juxtaposition of bright, energetic acoustics overlaid with misery in the form of heartfelt, emotional lyrics. Clouded is perfect for those days you want to let it all out and take the first steps toward moving on.” Tegan Burkhard (News Poster)

NUMBER 1

Artist: PVRIS Album: White Noise “The young rockers’ full-length debut blew my mind. Already harnessing their own tenacity, working with musician and producer, Blake Harnage, only stepped up their game that much more and took the birth of their solidified sound to the next level.” Haley Black (Writer) “I’m not sure how music has survived this long without PVRIS. White Noise oozes perfection from beginning to end.” Jessica Klinner (Writer) “Lyndsey Gunnulfsen’s raw, yet melodic growls add attitude to the already dark vibe of this album, the perfect combination of pretty and gruff. Intelligent, deep lyrics blend with ambient post-hardcore instrumentals to create this leather-laden, rebellious cousin of an indie record.” Tegan Burkhard (News Poster) “PVRIS have left a huge impression on me. Their debut album is fun and edgy all at once. This is exactly the sound I had been craving all year!” Annette Schaefer (Writer) “Massachusetts rock band PVRIS is what everyone has been talking about for the past six months, and they hadn’t even

released a full-length yet. The band’s recent debut White Noise proves why they’ve been getting all of the attention and if you still haven’t heard the music yet, you definitely will in 2015.” Geoff Burns (Writer, Digital Marketing)

holiday gift guide

FOR HIM

1

1. Klettersack 15L – Topo Designs / $159 2. Map Hat – Topo Designs / $32 3. 180º South Soundtrack Vinyl – Amazon / $15.99 4. The Davis – Krochet Kids / $28.95 5. Nightmare Before Christmas Sweater – Hot Topic / $27.38 6. The John Ryan Hawaiian Button Up – Glamour Kills / $59.99 7. Get Lost T-Shirt – America Y’all / $20 8. Guys Watery Grave Short Sleeve Button Up – Glamour Kills / $59.99 9. STAR WARS Darth Vader Talking Plush Clip On – Tillys / $16.99 10. Pokemon Starters Bi-Fold Wallet – Hot Topic / $12.38 11. Neff Daily Sunglasses – Pac Sun / $20 12. Man Candles – Man-Cans.com / $9.50

3 2

4

5

6

7

8

10 9 11

12

FOR HER

1

1. Instax Mini Photo Album – Mochi Things / $16.95 2. God Help The Girl Soundtrack Vinyl – Amazon / $20.55 3. The Mia – Krochet Kids / $29.95 4. Live Free T-Shirt – America Y’all / $17 5. Iron On Patches – Glamour Kills / $2.99 6. You Can’t Sit With Us Graphic Beanie – Urban Planet / $7 7. Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending to be a Grown-Up – Amazon / $11.65 8. Crying Kim Kardashian Earrings – Nylon / $14 9. Pizza Beanie – Jac Vanek / $29 10. Beauty from Within Bracelet by Juliet Simms – NeverTakeItOff.bigcartel.com / $16.50 11. Esprit Stripe Scarf – Asos / $36.01 12. Womens Floral Crossbody Handbag – Journeys / $20

2

5

3

7

6

9

4

10

8

11

12

FOR ANYONE

1

1. Chasers of the Light Bundle – TWLOHA / $35

2. Panoramic Pic Mod-Mount – Urban Outfitters / $28 3. The Portlandia Cookbook: Cook Like a Local – Amazon / $18.77 4. Mayday Parade Pillow Cases – MardayParade.Merchnow.com / $15 5. Edgar Allen Poe Tote – OutOfPrintClothing.com / $18 6. Hamburger Cat Bed – Amazon / $25.15 7. Cards Against Humanity – Amazon / $25 8. SPINNING HAT Rockabilly Vinyl Coaster Set – Tillys / $11.97 9. Cat Head Socks – Glamour Kills / $12.99 10. Drum Stick Pens – UncommonGoods.com / $8 11. Cardboard iPad TV Stand – UncommonGoods.com / $30 12. JBL Micro Wireless Ultra-Portable Speaker with Bluetooth – Amazon / $49.95

2

3

6

4

7

10

11

5

8

9

12

26 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

HOME: Nashville, TN NOW JAMMING: “Roller Coaster”

MAKING NOISE IN ALL THE RIGHT

places, the pop-rock group based out of Nashville, Tenn., Staying For The Weekend, is on the beginning of what looks like a wild ride. From performing at Bonnaroo in 2012 to winning the Belmont University 2014 Rock Showcase, the band has had no problem finding a groove. Of course, when you’ve known your bandmates since middle school, chemistry is second nature.

“I met Wade [Luplow] in middle school and encouraged him to pursue music by picking up the bass. I got to know Kurt [Krafft] and Carson [Mays] in high school through our jazz band program. We all started playing and we needed a bass player, so I called up Wade and we all jammed throughout high school,” drummer Mac Gibbons said.

The last piece of the puzzle though didn’t come until the band’s freshman year of college, where they teamed up with singer Mitch Davis, and even then it almost didn’t happen.

“I met Mac at my college orientation in the summer after he commented on my Bonnaroo bracelet. He mentioned that him and some buddies were getting a band together and they needed a singer and I mentioned that I could help them out with that. Originally, he shrugged it off and said okay.

We kept having the same conversation over the summer and I kept getting the same response, so I was kind of confused because I thought I would at least get a try out,” Davis said.

It wasn’t until he warmed up those killer vocal pipes that the band realized his offer was to be the vocalist, not to help them find one. “I was hanging with Kurt and Carson in their dorm room and they were playing some song that I knew so I started singing along. All of the sudden they stopped playing and Carson said, ‘Why didn’t you tell us you could sing?!’” Davis recalled.

From there, Staying For The Weekend was born. Since then the band has gone off to play countless shows in the United States, including winning Belmont’s 2014 Rock Showcase.

“Winning the showcase was a nice boost. Having that affirmation from the judges, who have established careers in the music industry, and knowing that what we’re doing has merit is a great feeling,” Davis expressed.

“I think for me it was being on the other side of the fence and getting the backstage passes. For years I always wanted to go backstage and I finally got to make that happen,” bassist Wade Luplow said.

“It was the closest thing we’ve ever gotten to the full-time working musicians that get to do what they love for a living.

It was just super humbling to be around the real deal, and we all knew that it was what we wanted forever. It was a BIG this is what I want to do forever moment,” Davis remarked.

“Ever since then we have just been pushing ourselves further to get to that point,” guitarist Carson Mays added. The band knows and can feel that the hard work has been paying off, and maybe they’re just on the verge of something great.

“We’ve definitely been getting tighter and a lot more comfortable in our sound, stage presence, and with each other. Like all bands though, we’ve been through some growing pains and have experienced the highs and the lows, like dealing with fake people in the industry. Most of the time we’ve had to pull up our pants and do it ourselves, but we’ve come out stronger on the other end,” Davis affirmed.

“When Mitch first joined the band, he had never been in a band before. His only real vocal experience was musical theater in high school. We had been playing shows for years before he joined and the first show we played with him he was definitely not used to it. Now two years later it’s kind of funny to see him on the stage floor and going crazy,” Gibbons added.

For now though, the band is ready to close out the year, but won’t be hesitating to gear up for 2015. Mays commented on their future plans saying, “Right now we’re winding down for 2014, but we plan on going strong next year.

We will definitely be writing more, performing more, and looking to do bigger and better things.”

PHOTOS: Sam Polonsky INTERVIEW & STORY: Nick Yacovazzi

One of the band’s biggest career highlights was their 2012 Bonnaroo performance, which is something the guys will cherish for a lifetime.

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 27

1

The first single from the EP, “The Pace Car,” was almost scrapped off of the record! The song came together in the final days before it was committed to the recording schedule.

2

All of the songs on the new EP were recorded over a year ago and written even farther back than that. The oldest being “Next Stop, Fall City,” which was written in 2011.

3 4 5

Initially, the album art for the new EP was meant to be a combination of Bioshock and Lana Del Rey. Once the look was established, the concept grew from there.

The album art for both EPs was done by Chris Shelly, singer for At The Skylines The title for the last track off the record, “All The Salt In The World,” was drawn from the Jimmy Eat World song “Big Casino” due to the similar subject matter.

28 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

10 things you didn’t know about their upcoming EP, Part Two 6

Part Two was recorded and produced by long time friend of the band Ben Green, guitarist in 2000’s alt rock band Fairweather.

7 8 9 10

Part Two is meant to be a direct continuation of the previous record, both sonically and in the story being told by the album art.

The title for the song “Next Stop, Fall City” comes from a place near Seth’s old home in Washington State.

Our drummer Jack Dunigan was able to track all 11 songs featured on the two EPs in only two days!

While tracking vocals on the record, Seth had pictures of Freddy Mercury pinned up all over the walls for that extra bit of inspiration.

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 29

HOME: Mantua, NJ NOW JAMMING: “Pillow Talk” CURRENTLY: Not on tour

BETWEEN TOURING, WRITING

and recording, the men of Major League have been busier than ever to say the least. With their latest release, There Is Nothing Wrong With Me, the band joined forces with producer Will Yip (Title Fight, The Wonder Years, Balance and Composure) to release a passionate and well-received album via No Sleep Records. “We spent a lot more time prior to going into record on songs, lyrics, music, everything,” bassist Kyle Bell said of the record. “We collaborated a lot more.”

According to Bell, having a top producer like Will Yip working with the band was “very helpful with making sure that the songs were as best as they could be,” and it certainly paid off. The band created eleven thoughtprovoking and emotional tracks. With singles “Pillow Talk” and “Kaleidoscopes,” the band has been getting more personal with the lyrics than their last album, Hard Feelings. Bell explained the lead singer, Brian Joyce, wrote the songs when he was going through a tough time with close relationships in his life.

“I know ‘Pillow Talk’ has a lot to do with a relationship he’s been in the past, just different feelings that he’s had bouncing back, like I want to be with this person and I don’t want to be with this person, all of that stuff,” Bell commented. “‘Kaleidoscope’ I believe is about a relationship with one of his close friends back home, looking back at all of the good times they’ve had when they were younger and still wanting to hold onto those things even though they live far away from each other.”

There Is Nothing Wrong With Me has a song for everyone, according to Bell. The album reflects how much time was spent in the studio as well as powerful riffs. One of Bell’s favorite songs off the record, “Just As I Am,” pulls together influences from Major League’s favorite bands like MeWithoutYou and Superhaven.

“You have fast songs, slow songs, dark songs, happy songs [on the album],” Bell explained. “I think there’s hints of Thrice on the record, there’s hints of Underoath, MeWithoutYou, and a couple of the guys are really big Manchester Orchestra fans. Just other music is really what influences us the most.”

Major League is currently on tour with Mayday Parade, PVRIS and Tonight Alive. Bell said this tour might be the highlight of Major League’s career thus far. Being able to hang out with bandmates as well as friends is something Bell calls “kind and accepting.”

“When our record came out, and PVRIS had a record come out the same day as us, Mayday [Parade] went out and got us each a bottle of whiskey for each other to congratulate us,” Bell recalled. “Everyone is just really cool with each other.”

According to Bell, even with the lows of being on tour constantly, like missing their family and homes, pays off in the end. Being able to keep working towards the goal of supporting yourself and your family is something Bell is happy to keep touring for, even if he does get a little tired of being on the road.

“You know, sometimes you get pissed off at each other on tour and then you get that break from each other,” Bell said. “[You] realize that you don’t hate each other and you get back on tour and their all your best friends again.”

Major League just ended their fall tour with Mayday Parade, Tonight Alive and PVRIS, but you can still keep up with the band on their Facebook page, or check out their recent audiotree.tv session.

PHOTO: Sam Polonsky INTERVIEW & STORY: Bridjet Mendyuk

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 31

32 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 33

HOME: New York, NY NOW JAMMING: “Reflections” 34 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET CURRENTLY: Working to release their debut full-length album

MISTERWIVES TOOK THE STAGE AT

Iron City in Birmingham, Ala. on the 11th day of the Quiet Is Violent tour with twenty one pilots. Looking around, it was evident that only a few people in the crowd had heard of the indie pop band from New York City, but they still bobbed their heads, and a few people jumped around as Misterwives opened their energetic set. It wasn’t until the band played “Vagabond” that things changed. As soon as lead singer Mandy Lee let out the first few notes of the song, groups of people turned to each other with high-pitched gasps and began whispering, realizing they have heard the song before. The hauntingly beautiful song caused a startling reaction in the audience because it is the theme song of “Finding Carter,” a new show on MTV about a girl adjusting to the discovery that the woman she thought to be her mother actually kidnapped her as a child.

“We hung with the people from MTV, and they are all so nice and supportive,” drummer Etienne Bowler said. “We actually infiltrated their building and played some acoustic jams for their offices during lunch. They loved the song “Vagabond” and thought the theme of [Finding Carter] and the song linked up.”

For the New York City-based band, the most exciting part about having one of their songs featured on MTV was hearing it on the actual show for the first time. It just so happened that the show’s premiere aired on Lee’s birthday.

Celebrations were in order.

“We popped champagne and partied the first night it aired on ‘Finding Carter,’” Bowler recalled. “We kinda woke up the next morning with no memory of it all, but we were told it was awesome.

Long before their song hit the ears of the right people at MTV, the members of Misterwives were making their living in other ways. Lee, who has a strong background in vocal performance, attended LaGuardia, the only specialized performing arts high school in NYC. Instead of going to college, Lee decided to pursue a career as a solo artist.

To pay the bills, she worked shifts at a vegan restaurant in Manhattan’s Upper West side, where she met Bowler who worked a few blocks away. The two often discussed music, and soon, they were recording together along with Lee’s roommate and bassist, Will Hehir. As soon as the three began working together on music, the chemistry was undeniable.

“There have been so many incredible moments together, but we’ll never forget how magical it was to jam together in Etienne’s basement,” Hehir remembered. “We knew after that first session that we’d never look back.”

Living in a city saturated with a variety of different music scenes, Misterwives, a gender-corrected take on the word

“sisterwives,” had their work cut out for them, but they were determined to take the city that never sleeps head on and do whatever they needed to get their name out there.

“It’s very competitive, but the perks of being in NYC is that it’s so easy to go out and see good music,” Bowler said. “The options are endless. Some are also more inspiring than others, but either way we are so lucky and happy to live in a such a cool city. It make our lives exciting, and that makes us want to make exciting music.”

To complete their lineup for their first live show in February 2013, Bowler invited his friends Jesse Blum (keys, trumpet, accordion) and Marc Campbell (guitar) to join in on the fun.

After playing their first show, Misterwives began receiving attention for their vibrant and quirky pop sound. The Internet was abuzz about the band and soon, they caught the eye of Photo Finish Records and signed a record deal within a year of their formation. By January 2014, Misterwives released their debut EP, Reflections, a collection of songs not easily defined by one genre.

“Our style comes from everyone’s input,” Bowler said. “That’s the beauty of being in a band, we all bring our collective influences, and it makes a song different and full of many genres.”

Currently, the band is working on bringing their debut full-length album to the world. It’s been in the making for months now and is expected to land in the hands of fans by the beginning of 2015.

“The EP was a collection of old songs, but the album is a snapshot of what’s going on in our lives now, and the feeling we have now,” Bowler said. “The 2nd album might be about chickens on a farm, or being lost in the woods on acid. Who knows?”

There’s something special about Misterwives. Their spunky personalities and energy on stage bring the music to life and engage their audience. Lee often bounces around stage, interacting with her band mates and getting the crowd to participate in the live performance. Every aspect of Misterwives—from their name to their music—oozes with creativity and originality.

“We always want to put our creative twist on everything we do and refuse to release anything we’re not 111% proud of it,” Hehir said. “Sometimes it means putting more time and effort into certain projects than what other people think we should, but in the end we always work to deliver something that truly represents us.”

PHOTO: Cara Bahniuk INTERVIEW & STORY: Jessica Klinner

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 35

HOME: Los Angeles, CA NOW JAMMING: “Habits of My Heart” off of Habits of My Heart EP CURRENTLY: Just wrapped up a tour with Vance Joy

GROWING UP IN A MENAGERIE of music, it’s no wonder that singer/songwriter Jaymes Young had been able to cultivate a sound that is entirely unique. Known for his particular blend of hip-hop, R&B, pop and rock, Young has brought a completely new sound to a multitude of eager listeners.

From a young age, Young’s family exposed him to all different musical sounds. He found himself listening to everything from Modest Mouse to Tupac. These different styles would ultimately go on to inspire Young to create the versatile music he does today.

“I was listening to all kinds of music and I hadn’t really picked up a lot of specific things until ‘Parachutes’ by Coldplay came out. That was basically when I was just emotionally sucked in to music and writing,” Young explained.

Unlike many musicians and writers, Young doesn’t follow a certain formula to creating music. Driven by inspiration and bursts of musical ideas, Young writes wherever his heart takes him. It’s this mindset that has helped him develop his eclectic sound.

“I started writing poetry before I ever played an instrument.

I picked up a classical guitar that we had at my house and we started to mess around. It sounded bad and felt great so I just kind of went with it,” Young described. “I guess taste is what directs the sound of a song or the writing of a song, as far as blending different genres and sounds. It’s simply letting it evolve based on your preference without thinking about it.”

That idea also seems to be a prevalent theme in Young’s latest single, “Habits of My Heart.” The song is the namesake of Young’s recent EP. It features a tinkling synth and a smooth R&B beat and speaks of the frustration of following your heart.

“I think it’s a really simple idea. The heart always wins over the head,” Young said of the song. “Your heart is the one making the decisions and it’s your heart’s habits, not your habits.”

Young’s Habits of My Heart is his second release. Young previously released 2013’s Dark Star. Both seem to have fared well critically and have gained Young some welldeserved attention, but the two releases are quite different.

While Dark Star was written, recorded and produced nearly 100 percent by Young in his own home, Habits of My Heart was released through Atlantic Records, who Young signed with recently. The album is still self-produced, but the label has given some room for improved production value. Even with the upgrade, Young’s priority for writing good songs remains the same.

“I think I focus on the writing a lot more. The production is kind of like going through it almost accidentally based off of my tastes. There’s not a whole lot of planning happening there unless it’s a specific idea that I have,” Young explained. “I think the writing is what I care about the most. I really want to connect with groups of people that have these emotions and ideas, and I really want people to be able to say, ‘Okay, that’s how I feel, thanks for saying it because I didn’t know how to say it before.’”

Recently, Young wrapped up a tour with fellow singer/ songwriter Vance Joy. Going to a rock show with high energy music and jamming out is probably what comes to most people’s minds when they picture the concert experience, but when you make music that people don’t exactly “rock out” to, you have to create a completely different kind of connection with your audience every night. This is a feat that Young has learned to tackle as he hops on stage and presents what he has to new faces from all over.

“I don’t think that the show is super up-tempo or super rock, and I think that’s the opposite of what I want people to feel. I want people to rock out and have a good time and to move around, but I mostly want people to have that live experience emotionally and to sit there and be in the music and not just listen to it, to feel like you’re actually a part of it,” Young described.

While Young may not be traditional “rock show” material, his diverse sound has managed to captive his audiences.

People are paying attention.

“I think it’s actually a nice contrast. I haven’t been to a whole lot of concerts recently, but I feel like when I go I like there to be a little bit of a difference, and it gives everyone a chance to play without really ‘competing’ against each other. It’s really cool to have the individualism,” he explained.

From signing with a major label being feature on the soundtrack for the film sensation The Fault in Our Stars, Young’s career seems to be headed in an upward direction.

Despite all this, it seems that Young’s main goal is to remain a constantly evolving artist that continues to challenge himself every step along the way.

“I think, it doesn’t happen just at once, it’s a journey.

Sometimes I look back and say wow I’ve come so far, I feel blessed to be where I am already,” Young expressed.

“There’s a certain amount of sustainability that you kind of strive for and I’m sure it’s always going to be morphing and changing and my expectations are going to change, but I feel like I’m on the right path.”

PHOTO: Sam Polonsky INTERVIEW: Jenn Stookey STORY: Annette Schaefer

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 37

HOME: Melbourne, Australia NOW JAMMING: Dream Your Life Away Full-Length, Atlantic CURRENTLY: On US Tour

38 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 39

WHEN SUPERSTARS LIKE TAYLOR

Swift take notice of your music, it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself in the spotlight too. This is more or less what happened to James Keogh, the man behind the magic of Vance Joy. And he has definitely had quite the year. From Swift covering his hit, “Riptide,” to securing the support slot on her 1989 tour next year, signing an international five-record deal with Atlantic and releasing his debut full-length, Dream Your Life Away, earlier in September, it has been quite the journey for the songwriter.

Keogh was a law student and a football player before deciding to take on a music career full time. Although he said he would have lasting memories from football, his connection with music was a lot deeper and more natural, as was his transition from school to musician. He had been writing songs while studying at university, and it took him a long time to finally make the leap to dedicate his life to it. He knew that pursuing a law degree sounded good on paper, but his passion for law was 40 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

limited. “I felt it building for a long time and I was kind of building this dream to do music,” he said.

Keogh decided early on to play music under the pseudo name, Vance Joy, a name he pulled form the Peter Carey novel Bliss.

Initially, Vance Joy was simply the name of his Soundcloud account, but it soon became a recognizable aspect of his craft. “That was kind of exciting… creating something out of nothing,” Keogh said. “I think it’s something that sparks people’s imagination so I went with it.”

The songwriter had a chance to challenge his imagination and creativity with the recording and release of Dream Your Life Away. For him, working with a producer for the first time was challenging at first, but he quickly learned to give people the opportunity to share their ideas and accept those inputs. “It’s learning to share your song with people, even just enough to where the song might benefit from it, those are the challenges from it,” he said.

Other challenges have come up during his whirlwind of a career, particularly in cases of getting worn out. At the end of last year, he lost his voice and couldn’t sing for close to two months, so he adapted to his busy schedule so he could stay productive in a healthy way. He remembered, “[I had to tell] people that I’ve been working too hard and I need time to recover. That was the good thing about me imposing a bit and creating some space for myself to just be normal.”

Luckily, all of that hard work began to pay off; his breakout single, “Riptide,” gained traction on mainstream pop and alternative radio alike. Many of his songs have been able to cross genres simply because he won’t stand in the way of any song he writes; similar to Riptide, they will go wherever they need to.

“That song, ‘Riptide,’ does what ever it wants to you,” Keogh said. “It’s versatile and connects with people and when it connects with people and you don’t even know why it does,

it’s just this strange chemistry and lives it’s own life. I think you can’t expect that to happen, it’s like lightning in a bottle.”

Keogh wants people to hear personality and fragility in his songs because those qualities communicate really strongly with people. He even mentioned that aspect of Taylor Swift’s cover of “Riptide,” saying he really liked the way she stripped it back to the bare bones on a piano. For his music, he cares about each and every song and puts tons of work into each one.

That’s part of the reason he was writing songs in secret while studying law, because he was shy and wanted to make each song the best it could be before revealing it to the world.

“I think everyone has something to offer creatively and I think if you really believe that and start doing that then your unique human voice will start coming out in the music you make,” Keogh expressed. “When you do it people can hear it.”

PHOTO: Sam Polonsky INTERVIEW & STORY: Jennifer Boylen HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 41

ALL IN TH 42 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

Y L I HE FAM HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 43

HOME: Los Angeles, CA NOW JAMMING: “Cool Kids” CURRENTLY: Finishing the year with a series of holiday shows

44 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

“PLEASE WELCOME, ECHOSMITH!” These three words are ones the band of siblings from California are used to hearing before walking out on stage; however, this time they are special. This time the words are coming from the king of late night television, Jimmy Fallon.

The lights dim in the studio and rise on the young quartet.

Vocalist Sydney Sierota dawns a sparkly dress and steals the spotlight; while her brothers, guitarist Jamie and bassist Noah groove around her, and drummer Graham keeps the beat in the back.

they are set to kick off a few headlining shows after spending some time off in their home of sunny Los Angeles. There are lots of topics to be covered during our short interview, but the first order of business is to congratulate the 17-year-old lead singer on the success of “Cool Kids,” Echosmith’s first platinum-selling single. “[‘Cool Kids’] is the perfect song to really start our career,” Sydney comments. “Even though we have been a band for seven years, this song started it in a different way.”

“We are just really thankful for the entire thing, and I can’t wait. It’s been something I never expected really,” Sydney gushes over the phone two days before the big television performance.

Seven years may not seem like such a long time for most bands, but for the Sierota siblings, whose ages range from 15 to 22, that makes up almost half of their lives. Each member picked up their respective instruments at an early age, and it was a strange coincidence that they picked instruments that allowed them to easily form a band.

Life has been hectic lately for the Sierota siblings. The conversation with Sydney takes places as she and her brothers head to the airport to catch a flight to D.C., where

“That kind of just says right there that it was meant to happen even though it wasn’t planned whatsoever,” Sydney says.

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 45

It’s evident that the siblings were destined to make music together. They started out playing covers of songs from Rage Against the Machine to The Cure to Rhianna after their dad, songwriter/producer Jeffery David, assembled them together to play at a community fundraiser. Once they got the hang of playing music together, they realized they should give it a real shot, and thus, Echosmith was born (The name comes from a play on the word “blacksmith.”

As blacksmiths craft metal, Echosmith crafts sound). While Sydney, Graham, Jamie and Noah are all siblings, they aren’t the only Sierotas involved in Echosmith. “[Our parents] are very supportive, and they come along on the road with us to help tour manage and production manage and help run sound,” Sydney explains. “It’s a really good team that we have. It’s all in the family, which is awesome. That doesn’t happen all the time, but it works really well.”

Being such a close-knit family has only helped Echosmith.

They credit the best and worst thing about touring together to the fact that they all know each other so well: every high, every low and every pet peeve. These siblings know how to push each other’s buttons as well as push each other creatively.

To have such maturity and poise at such a young age (Jamie is the only member out of the teenage years) really separates Echosmith from the crowd. Their weeks are spent on the road instead of in a classroom—however, they do receive schooling on the road—and a typical night is spent performing in front of hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of fans their own age.

“When we meet our fans and get to hang out with them, that’s really awesome for us, especially when they’re our age, because I’m not home getting to hang out with friends almost ever, and it’s cool that I get to make a few hundred friends every night,” Sydney expresses.

It’s this unique connection with their fans that give Echosmith an edge in the music industry. Their willingness to meet and make a connection with every fan really shone through on the band’s two summers spent on Warped Tour. Echosmith’s first run on the tour was intimidating and a bit uncertain.

With their music being so different from the typical Warped Tour bands, they were unsure of how the audience would react—though, in the past, Warped has been known to welcome pop acts such as Katy Perry and Mike Posner.

To Echosmith’s surprise the response was fantastic. With buzz on social media from other bands on Warped Tour, Echosmith became one of the must-see bands, and on their sophomore appearance this past summer, they saw a huge change in the size and interest of their crowds. Really, their diversity gave them an advantage on the festival known for loud, screaming bands.

46 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 47

“It was really cool to get to see that people were able to widen their perspective on music and their interest too by just listening to even us,” Sydney remembers. “I’m glad that we stayed true to who we were rather than trying to be more edgy or being more pop or whatever it was just trying to fit in. That’s kind of what we stand for anyway. It’s just proof that that’s the better way to go because it ends up working out in the end even if it takes a second to get there.”

A few months after their first run on Warped Tour ended, the indie pop band released their debut album, Talking Dreams.

The 12-track record, including “Cool Kids,” introduced their dreamy, California-pop to the world. The record explores themes of love, adventure and self-discovery, which seem to resonate with their fans in a very authentic way. Sydney explains that they “wanted to be honest with our lyrics because we relate to them ourselves.”

48 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

Since the release of the album, “Cool Kids” has gotten quite a bit of attention. The popularity of the song did not come overnight, though. It took a year for the music video to reach a million views. Today, it has over 9.8 million.

“We got to literally watch the process before our own eyes, and it’s been amazing,” Sydney says. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the fact that I was able to be there for the process and get to see it happen. It has been awesome, and it was a slow one, but I’m thankful because in the end, we got to appreciate it even more.”

The success of “Cool Kids” is somewhat ironic because the song almost didn’t make the record. It took months for Echosmith to perfect the catchy tune, but thankfully, they were able to make it work. After the song was released in October 2013, it caught on quickly with fans. Echosmith noticed more and more people singing along to the song

at shows. Ultimately, the fan response was the reason Echosmith decided to make it their first single.

“I’m really happy that the fans got to choose that because we want the fans to pick the single considering that they’re the ones who are going to buy it and listen to it,” Sydney comments. “We’re really happy with that choice honestly.”

The message behind the platinum single is simple: acceptance. The chorus rings out, “I wish that I could be like the cool kids/’Cause all the cool kids they seem to fit in.” For Echosmith’s young fan base, the song translates perfectly, and even for those outside their typical demographic, it’s a relatable song. There’s an archetypal feeling of acceptance that draws listeners in along with the catchy melody.

“That’s I think why that song is doing so well because it’s so real, and everybody at some point feels that desire to fit in

or be like somebody else,” Sydney says. “In reality, what makes you cool is being yourself and accepting yourself for who you are and who you aren’t…When you start to accept yourself, life does become different and it does become better and it makes your relationships or friendships better.”

This year has brought a lot of positive change to the dynamic of Echosmith. The success of “Cool Kids” has brought about many opportunities that the Sierotas never dreamed possible. They’ve been featured in commercials for Apple TV and MTV’s hit show Awkward, played on Ellen, Conan and most recently The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. They were also a part of VH1’s You Oughta Know concert. Basically, it’s been non-stop appearances and performances for the band lately.

“It does get a little overwhelming at times just because the body can only handle so much,” Sydney expresses.

“Obviously, there are moments where you just feel tired, HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 49

physically exhausted, and that’s the truth. That has been the hardest part is just finding a balance of sleeping and feeling rested, but also doing our job and giving our best every time. We want to be able to be the best we can for our fans at all times even if we are tired. It’s a hard balance, but it’s one we’re figuring out now.”

Their love and devotion to their fans is the driving force behind Echosmith. They haven’t always enjoyed the comfort of knowing fans will show up for their shows. Sydney recalls a time when she had to beg friends and family to come out to their shows. She would send messages to every person in her contact list asking for their support.

“We’ve been a band for so long that in the beginning we had years of begging friends to even come to shows let alone fans,” Sydney remembers. “Here we are selling out shows that are decent sized, and it’s their choice. We’re not making them buy the tickets. That’s been the best part, and it’s so cool to get to see how that has changed over the last seven years.”

There’s no need to beg now. People show up to their shows for the pure joy of the entertainment the young band provides to their audience. Because of their stunning live performances, Echosmith has had the privilege to work with some big names in music, including American Authors, Neon Trees and twenty one pilots. The latter of which made a lasting impression on Echosmith’s vocalist and only female member. “[twenty one pilots] went out of their way to thank us and to introduce themselves and to make us feel welcome,” Sydney recalls. “I think that’s so important when you’re a headlining band, or whatever situation you’re in, to go out of your way to show kindness to the people that you’re working with and that you’re creating art [with] or doing a show together, and I think that was really cool and something I will probably remember forever.”

If there’s one lesson to be learned from the members of Echosmith, it’s not to let age impact what you want to do in life. If Echosmith listened to the negative comments about their age, they wouldn’t be nearly as successful as they are today. But having such success at a young age does come with a price that goes beyond judgment. Since most of their time is spent on the road, the Sierota siblings don’t get to live the normal teenage life, but they have learned to embrace their nomadic lifestyle.

“We don’t feel like we’re missing out necessarily,” Sydney says. “I think we just get to have a different experience.

We’re not looking back and regretting that we’re not normal.

I think that’s awesome that people get to have those normal lives, but for us, we’re really thankful for where we’re at, and we try to embrace it as much as possible.”

PHOTOS: Jordan Fischels INTERVIEW & WORDS: Jessica Klinner

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 51

TOUR ROUND UP

52 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

P PHOTO: Ashley Osborn

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 53

PHOTO: Sam Polonsky

54 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 55

56 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

PHOTO: Heather Phillips

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 57

PHOTO: Savana Ogburn

58 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

PHOTO: Savana Ogburn

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 59

60 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

PHOTO: Cara Bahniuk

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 61

album

reviews ARTIST

Major League ALBUM

There’s Nothing Wrong With Me RATING

SOUNDS LIKE Man Overboard Real Friends Transit RECOMMENDED TRACKS “Just As I Am” “Recovery” “Rittenhouse” TRACKS 1

Wallflower

2

Graves

3

Pillow Talk

4

Kaleidoscopes

5

Just As I Am

6

Montreal

7

Little Eyes

8

Recovery

9

Devil’s Advocate

10

Bruiser

11

Rittenhouse

RELEASE DATE November 4th, 2014

WEBSITE

f /majorleaguerock

Major League has truly stepped up their game with this record packed with feelings that will tug on your heartstrings. There’s Nothing Wrong With Me is not only the band’s second full-length, but it’s also the first album on which Brian Joyce has taken over vocal responsibilities.

They have truly redefined themselves in the most impressive way. Every member of the band has the perfect mixture of genuine passion and talent, mixed with a sprinkle of heartache and cynicism, which has been deemed necessary for a band in their genre. Or really, any band at all.

If you’re looking for an emotional rollercoaster, you’ve come to the right place. Brian Joyce is one of the most expressive people I’ve known and listening to this record is deeply personal, like looking into the depths of his soul. If you’ve ever experienced any of the emotions or experiences being portrayed and so artfully communicated in these tracks, you will find yourself moved.

A lot can be said for music that catches your attention and keeps you entertained, but some music can truly captivate you and make a difference. This album reaches a new level balanced somewhere between finesse and raw emotion. If you struggle with feeling low, this album may save you from moments of despair. Knowing that someone else out there experiencing the same thing as you can truly be the best medicine, even if it’s only a temporary fix. Whether you consider yourself a fan of Major League or not, this is an album you absolutely have to give a listen to.

REVIEW: Daisy Marietta

62 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

ARTIST Dresses ALBUM Lonely

One EP Portland based indie-folk duo Dresses’ new EP Lonely One is a perfect drop of musical sunshine. The album kicks off with title track “Lonely One”; a catchy upbeat tune with a nostalgia ‘80s inspired drum line. “Lonely One” is a tantalizing juxtaposition of dichotomies, such as old and new in addition to cheerful glee and bittersweet rawness. Dresses blends these delicate contrasts effortlessly while keeping their sound fragile, tender, vibrant and refreshing all at once.

The three acoustic songs are pure bliss. “Tell A Lie” and “Painting Roses” bring a new appreciation for both Timothy Heller and Jared Ryan Maldonado’s flawless voices and harmonies. But most interestingly, there is something magnetic and mysterious about Dresses’ acoustic renditions. They are not only able to leave the listener so wonderfully happy, but also a smidge jealous of the love they describe.

Overall Lonely One is warm, infectious, whimsical and romantic; the perfect album to soundtrack dreams of paradise during the brutal cold winter months.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS “Lonely One,” “Tell A Lie” and “Painting Roses” REVIEW Theresa Pham

ARTIST Front

Porch Step ALBUM Whole Again EP Singer/songwriter Jake Mcelfresh provides a sense of worthiness from his solo project Front Porch Step’s new EP, Whole Again, courtesy of Pure Noise Records. The four-song effort was produced by Four Year Strong’s Alan Day, who sings and plays guitar throughout the EP, and Ace Enders of The Early November, only making the release that much greater.

Besides the appropriate cover of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” on the December release, Mcelfresh sings about wanting to be in a relationship, even though both people have flaws on the EP’s opener “A Lovely Mess.” He sings, “And darling I may not be everything you want, but I can give you all I have.” The acoustic track flows perfectly into the next title, “Heaven Sent,” possibly the EP’s strongest point. Ultimately about missing someone from a previous relationship as Enders provides vocals when he sings, “And I woke up in my care but I couldn’t drive away, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the girl that couldn’t stay.”

While the EP is the follow-up to Front Porch Step’s previous full-length, Aware, it’s the perfect preview of what will come next from the artist. Whole Again is exactly what the emo/punk scene needed to close out 2014, and Mcelfresh certainly provided.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS “A Lovely Mess,” “Heaven Sent” & “Whole Again” REVIEW Geoff Burns

ARTIST Walk

The Moon ALBUM Talking Is Hard What is this “sophomore slump” that music critics are always talking about? Walk The Moon’s follow-up to their self-titled 2012 release, Talking Is Hard, is as lively and animated as their debut, packing an endless supply of invigorating synth melodies and irresistible lyrics.

Walk The Moon has a whimsical and creative way with words, displayed in tracks like the rockdriven “Up 2 U,” which mentions “magic beans” and a “rain dance.” The first single, “Shut Up and Dance,” is a high-powered, well, dance number, with a boisterous, synth-dominant melody and a compelling instrumental bridge. It has already received tons of praise through radio play. The singles are just a glimpse of the fun you will experience while listening to the album in its entirety. The first half of the album exerts a lot of energy and begins to wind down towards the end with “We Are The Kids,” “Come Under The Covers,” and “Aquaman.” Talking Is Hard is 12 tracks of infinite spunk and is the perfect album to cap off the year, bringing a much-needed abundance of light to recharge you during the dark winter months.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS “Different Colors” & “Sidekick” REVIEW Haley Black HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 63

64 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET