Issue #3 - July 2015: MAX

JULY 2015 | ISSUE 3

ONLINE MAGAZINE

A Soulful Act Breathing New Life Into Pop Music

Sorority Noise | Hope Vista | The Summer Set | Gates

Staff: Carol Simpson

co-founder/editor-in-chief/contributor

Karina Cordova

co-founder/fashion director/photographer

Sam Lesser photographer

Sara Ruben

contributor/writer

Contact Us: Email: UnderdogPress2012@gmail.com Website: UnderdogPress.net Issues: Issuu.com/Underdogpress

Special thanks to: Sorority Noise, Emily at Brixton Agency, Renee Signore, Gates, Ethan and Dan, Austin Griswold, Kirsten Schubert, MAX, Hope Vista, Shane Wepprich

NOTE: no copyright infringement intended All written material is original.

All rights for album artwork and promotional photos used go to their respectful owners.

Underdog Press | 2

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CONTENTS: Album reviews

pg. 6

Get The Look: Chrissy Costanza pg. 13 Industry Interview: Renee Signore pg. 14 Underdog on the Rise: Sorority Noise

pg. 20

GATES

pg. 34

HOPE VISTA Underdog Press | 4

28

MAX

34

14

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

44

GALLERY

2015

J U L Y

Album REVIEWS Artist: Hollywood Ending Album: Hollywood Ending

Hollywood Ending’s first and final full length was released on May 26th. Their self-titled album is a polished HWE that is a perfect goodbye for old and new fans alike. They have established their identity and solidified their pop-rock sound within these 10 tracks.

Zero Gravity is a subtle intro packed with heart. It is full of energy and spunk with a fast paced chorus. Breakthrough hits like an early 2000s pop-rock song from a high school rom-com film. It is a sweet and tender tune. Courtney Love earned the album a parental advisory sticker.

The song vibes like old school Good Charlotte/Simple Plan/Sum 41.

Love You Now is an electrifying pop driven song. “Keep me dying for you touch/I’m close to the edge/are you going to save me?” while the lyrics are beyond cliché, they fit the HWE aesthetic like a glove. As with the lyrics in Perfect, but the underlying message of loving yourself offers encouragement to their young and impressionable listeners in the kindest way possible.

Fade To Blue is a simple, feel good tune. “I’m screamin so loud, but the words never make it out” is just a sample of the honest and relatable liyrics. The guitar carries this song and adds personality to it. Come On Come On is a more rock influenced track that carries a little more edge and bite than the previous tracks with strong vocals that test Tyler Wilson and Cameron Byrd’s ability. Ghost is sweet and gripping. It’s a song fit for the soundtrack of a romantic comedy.

Overall, the album is endearing and thrilling. It carries variety and can surely be classified as pop with a punch of character. Their talent a band really shines through on this record. People will be listening to this album for a long time even after Hollywood Ending officially call it quits.

Underdog Press | 6

review by Carol Simpson

Artist: Sleep On It Album: Safe Again EP

Indie alternative band, Sleep On It, released a new EP titled Safe Again, on June 19th. This album has a great sound with both upbeat songs and some slower ones. Each song has a different feeling based on the lyrics and instrumentals, keeping it interesting and showing the versatility of the band. This EP has the perfect songs, whether you just want some awesome jams or you want to hear some real emotion and find the deeper meaning.

Glass Bones and Out Of Touch both are fast-paced and keep the album moving. Glass Bones is the first song and is a great start to the album with a catchy drumbeat holding all the way through the song.

Out of Touch, is immediately appealing with awesome guitar and drums. The lyrics, “I’m feeling out of touch, maybe I feel too much,” may mean something different, but with no doubt are relatable for everyone.

Next, Dwell, is a slower, more serious song. It’s about focusing on the past and “[having] too much left to say” from a previous experience. It isn’t my favorite, but still worth a listen.

Bright, is definitely a highlight of the EP. It has a fun sound and really great melody, so even though it might not be the most uplifting in terms of the meaning, it keeps the tone light. It is a song that people will go crazy for live and makes you want to sing along. The next song is Talk Slow with a smooth, catchy sound. More than having a great concept and the best instrumentation, it’s just a good jam.

The EP closes with a slow song. Memorial Day is a heavier song with a somber tone. It is definitely one of those songs that doesn’t seem like anything special at first, but after listening to it a few times and really hearing the lyrics, it hits you. “I want to be remembered for something that inspires” are some of the lyrics that hit the hardest. At the end of the song, the beat picks up and perfectly wraps up the album on a high note.

Sleep On It’s new EP is pretty solid. It has that great alternative sound all the way through without all the songs sounding exactly the same. review by Sara Ruben Underdog Press | 7

Artist: This Is All Now Album: Homecoming EP

This Is All Now will stun you with their new record. They still have a ways to go as a band, but their Homecoming EP is a refined TIAN. Their sound has evidently matured and this could be the game changer for them.

Of course, the EP isn’t completely flawless. If you’re not a fan of gang vocals, and cliché lyrics about “kids” this may not be the EP for you, but it is still worth a listen. You may find something you like within these six dynamic tracks.

I’m wary of any song whose title is a hashtag, but #TEAM is a feel good track! A perfect opener to start the party. The song is a perfect representation of TIAN’s fun-loving, laidback nature.

Midnight Kids is significantly more interesting and edgy song. “Let’s get drunk turn up a little louder/Let’s get some come a little closer” aren’t the deepest lyrics in existence, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is a good song.

24 Hour Nights is the epitome of TIAN’s new mature sound. The song features Jason Lancaster (ex-Go Radio). Even without his feature the song would be gold. It’s the classic alternative/pop/rock sound everyone loves, but it still carries its own personality. The song has depth and the instrumentation is arranged beautifully. A strong cohesive track and perfect lead single to propel this record to success.

Voices is just kind of mundane. “We are the young and the reckless/We won’t forget this…We are fighting for something more” while these lyrics are inspiring and this track serves to slow the pace of the record down slightly, I could do without the “na na na”s. This track does serve as a perfect transition into the title track, Homecoming. This piano driven tune shows a sweet and tender side to TIAN. It reflects the growth in Okan Kazdal’s ability as a vocalist perfectly. When this song picks up it becomes more than a song. It becomes an anthem. It’s by far my favorite on the EP and is the true representation of TIAN’s evolution.

If you have just been a casual fan or have never heard of This Is All Now, be sure to give this EP a listen! You are bound to find something you like and will have one song stuck in your head.

Underdog Press | 8

review by Carol Simpson

Artist: Koji Album: Fury Punk/indie songwriter, Koji, released his new EP, Fury, on June 16. This EP has a very cool, laid back vibe. The songs have distinct beats, and although it is hard to understand the lyrics at some points, they all have the same relaxed tone that just makes you want to “chill out.”

The title track, Fury, kicks the album off with a strong beat. It continues with a great instrumental track accompanied by worthwhile lyrics in the chorus: “it’s fine to be afraid of whatever happens, and what we learn when we stay long enough to fight.” This song is a great first song to give the audience an idea of what to expect.

Breaking and Broken is the next track on the EP. This is slower song, with a deep meaning of needing to get away from everything going on. The song keeps this consistent tone throughout the song that allows the audience to connect and feel what Koji is singing. The chorus of the song states, “I’m dying for some relief, to still my mind, and quiet my heart” and this is what the song closes with. This definitely seems to be the most serious track, but it is very relatable, making it one of the best.

Everyday is the most upbeat track. It starts with fast, but simple instruments that are appealing to the audience. The first lyrics are, “I won’t make it, I can’t make it out without you” repeated several times.

It is about feeling like you need a certain someone to get through each day, which will create an emotional connection with the audience. This fast pace keeps the tone a little lighter than what the lyrics imply.

The last song, Question, is another slower song, which makes it a good closer for the album. It doesn’t have the best lyrics and a great concept, but it makes for a good song to end the album. It has the slower pace that brings it back to that calm, relaxed feeling.

Koji’s new EP is definitely worth checking out. It is very indie and has a unique sound made by the distinct melodies and meaningful lyrics. He will be playing on the Full Sail University Acoustic Basement stage all summer long on the Vans Warped Tour. review by Sara Ruben Underdog Press | 9

photo by Carol Simpson

: k o o L e Get Th

Chrissy Costanza

When talking about style in the music scene, one young front women comes to mind for me and she’s on of our previous cover star, Chrissy Costanza of Against the Current. Everything from her hair, make-up, and clothes are always done to perfection, which matches her killer vocals. One of her many amazing outfits that caught my eye was the outfit she wore in the “Talk” music video, which came out a couple weeks ago.

The body harnass was what stood out to me, I’ve been seeing them pop up at stores more often, the trend has transitioned it self from runway to ready-to-wear fashion. The trend allows you to add a bit of edge in a simple outfit and accessorize in different ways, like how Chrissy did. I hit the internet in the look for the exact, or at least similar harness. Note if you forget to type in the word “fashion” after “leather body harness” in Google you find some unwanted kinky stuff. After filing through some online stores I found a similar one to the one Chrissy wore by ASOS ($22) and Etsy ($57). For the rest of the outfit I went to my goto’s, Forever 21 for basics, the crop top ($4.90) and Pac Sun for jeans ($49.95 article by Karina Cordova

Basic black crop top Forever 21 $4.90

Black super high rise skinny jeans PacSun $49.95

Body Harness ASOS $22

Underdog Press | 13

“There’s nothing

I love more than touring and I’m very grateful”

Industry Interview:

Renee Signore Underdog Press | 14

24

year-old Renee Signore has been touring for some time now. She was recently on the road with the pop/rock band Little Time Off as their tour manager. While touring, she also balances working with other bands like This Is All Now, Late Nite Reading, and The Millenium. We caught up with her on the Never Ending Summer Tour. Read about how she got her start, her typical day on the job, and her future goals.

UP: Who are you working with currently?

I’m currently working as a tour manager on tour with Little Time Off on Hollywood Ending’s Never Ending Summer tour. I am also working on various things with This Is All Now, The Millenium, and Late Nite Reading.

UP: Describe your typical day on the job?

A typical day on the job really varies on the type of tour and whether the band I’m working with is headlining or supporting.

There’s a lot of work that happens before the tour begins, but on tour my job starts from the minute I wake up making sure that the rest of the band and crew are ready to leave the hotel by van call. We drive to the venue, load all the gear and merch in and set everything up. I coordinate with any press for the day and make sure everything is running on time according to schedule. If there’s a VIP session or meet and greet I coordinate and run that as well.

Throughout the show my main job is to make sure the band and crew have everything they need so everything runs smoothly. After the show I help load out, settle with the promoter, and finish all accounting for the day.

Underdog Press | 15

UP: What’s the hardest part of your job? What’s the most rewarding part?

The hardest part of my job is that it never ends. You are working from the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep because it’s your responsibility to take care of anything and everything that might come up throughout the day. The most rewarding part of my job is watching my bands grow and succeed. It’s amazing to meet new people at shows and then months later have those same people come back. The process continues and the shows get bigger and it’s great knowing that I played a part in helping people to come together to enjoy and appreciate good music.

UP: Do you have an ultimate career goal or do you just follow opportunities as they come along?

My ultimate career goal is to be able to tour full time and be able to support myself from touring. In order to achieve that I follow any and all opportunities that come my way.

UP: Were you always planning on working in the music industry or was it just something that happened?

I was not always planning on working in the music industry, I kind of just fell into the local scene through a friend and became interested in helping out.

UP: What was your first music related job? How did you get started being a tour manager?

My first music related job was actually street teaming for a band I liked. That got me interested in helping out and wanting to be more involved in the music scene. Before I started tour managing I was doing merch for a bunch of local bands and as the bands grew Underdog Press | 16

and began touring I just learned more as I went along. After being with a band for awhile I saw what they needed in terms of day to day management and started doing what I could to help with that.

UP: Did you go to college? If so, what did you major in? If not, why did you decide to not go to college?

I did go to college and graduated with a double major in Psychology and Biology. I started college before I was really involved in music and once I realized this is what I wanted to do, I still finished what I started to have as a backup.

photo by Carol Simpson

UP: Any advice for someone trying to break into the music industry? Any advice for young girls who may not feel empowered enough to take on a behind the scenes role?

It’s definitely harder for girls in this industry but I encourage anyone interested to be confident and pursue this however they can. Ask your local venue if you can volunteer and try to learn as many different jobs as you can. It’s a good way to meet a lot of local bands that are just starting out and would love to have help promoting. Just work hard and be willing to help and learn.

UP: Any last words?

As hard as this job is, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. There’s nothing I love more than touring and I’m very grateful to all the bands and people in this industry that believe in my work and allow me to continue doing what I love.

Interview + Photos by Carol Simpson Underdog Press | 17

Vital Music NEKOKAT

Jordan Witzigreuter (The Ready Set), Jess Bowen (The Summer Set), and Cameron Walker have formed a pop supergroup that you are sure to fall in love with! Their single “Gimme A Break” has a great vibe that could lift any mood. Their EP “Communication” is available for purchase now!

CHEAT CODES You will find the perfect blend of electronic and pop music in CHEAT CODES’ tunes. Their singles “Adventure” and “Visions” has been taking over the hypem charts and generating plenty of buzz

THIS IS ALL NOW NY pop/rockers This Is All Now have released their “Homecoming” EP. It was recorded with Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount in Atlanta, GA. The EP includes the single “24 Hour Nights” feat. Jason Lancaster (ex- Go Radio).

Underdog Press | 18

Underdogs o

Sorority

on the Rise:

y Noise “I hope to use this band as somewhat of a platform.�

- Cameron Boucher

CT Band, Sorority Noise

Hartford, CT band Sorority Noise have been silently

creeping up. Their new album “Joy, Departed” was released on June 16th via Top Shelf Records. The record has been receiving rave reviews and the band will be embarking on a new tour with You Blew It! this August. We caught up with Cameron Boucher and discussed the album title, their upcoming tour, and what the band is out to accomplish by the end of the year.

UP: Introduce yourself and tell us your role in the band.

I’m Cameron Boucher and I play guitar and sing!

friends come and perform strings and vocals, so that ruled.

UP: Did you learn anything about yourselves in the process?

UP: “Joy, Departed” [was] released In the recording process, not realon June 16th. The title seems kind ly! I’m very familiar with recording bands and Matt was a of morbid if you think about it a certain way. What does it actually super pleasure to work with so it was all pretty easy and raw! mean?

I think it speaks to emotion as a UP: What is your favorite track off fleeting object and I think the record? that represents the album and I think it kinda depends where we us as people properly. The phase are or what’s going on in my comes life at the time but I’d probably from Mozart’s, “The Magic Flute.” have to say “Your Soft Blood” is the UP: What was the process of remost fun to play. cording the album like?

We recorded the record at my college with one of my professors, UP: You’re about to wrap up your tour with Fireworks. How was that?

Matt Baltrucki. He’s an incredible engineer and I encourage anyone Did the fact that it was Fireworks final tour before going on hiatus reading this to send him your make it extra special for you tracks to mix! The process was really quite standard but because it guys?

The tour was truly an incredible was at my school I had lots of experience. Getting to know and Underdog Press | 22

e, Headed for Big Things hang with the guys in Fireworks and the homies in Turnover was a really great way to spend two weeks. A lot of people came to hang at the shows and I think it was a really great send off for Fireworks as far as the east coast goes, be sure to check them out on the west coast!

UP: You’re also heading out on tour with You Blew It! this August, how excited are you for that tour?

It’s kind of a short run, can fall tour dates be expected as well?

I’m super excited for that tour, I believe we’re playing all beaches and one lazer tag arena which is wild! Before that tour we play wrecking ball and before that we’re out for about three weeks with Motion City Soundtrack and The Spill Canvas from July 12-August 2nd. I can’t really explain how cool it is to have all of these tours happening, it’s wild to me, and we’ll also be going out for a long time in the fall, which is another tour I’m really excited about!

UP: There appears to be an “emo revival” upon us, Any truth to this?

Do you see this paving the way for Sorority Noise?

(Even though your bio on facebook does say Cameron does not want to be in an emo band anymore haha) Dog, emo’s been around for a very long time, continuously, It’s just how much the blogs care to pay attention to it at the time that defines it’s level of popularity!

UP: What do you hope to accomplish as a band by the end of the year?

I hope to use the band as somewhat of a platform to help those struggling from depression and other similar mental illnesses to help each other with accepting it and making the best of their life.

UP: We always ask a zombie question! If the band was in a zombie apocalypse who in the band would be least likely to survive?

Honestly, me. Charlie is a hard dude and Ryan and Scuff are way smarter than I am.

interview by Carol Simpson

Underdog Press | 23

NEW ALBUM “Joy, Departed” AVAILABLE NOW via TOP SHELF RECORDS Facebook.com/SororityNoise Twitter.com/SororityNoise Instagram: SororityNoise SororityNoise.com

Follow us on Instagram for more updates and exclusive photos from our photo shoots and interviews! @UnderdogPress

Underdog Press | 25

photo by Sam Lesser

HOPE

A Young Rising Sta

VISTA

ar From New Jersey

She’s young, she’s personable, but more importantly she’s

talented. Hope Vista is the rising rockstar our scene needs.

Since she began singing at the tender age of 3, picked up a classical guitar at 7, and met a Fender Strat at 10, Hope Vista knew that music was her calling. “I grew up listening to The Rolling Stones, that’s still my favorite band. I listened to Aerosmith at a really young age and Bon Jovi. I pull from those influences a lot.” Music has always come naturally to the 21 year old artist. “I grew up listening to music non-stop. I would see [my dad] playing his classical Underdog Press | 30

guitar on the kitchen floor in the morning. I wanted to be just like him.

When I was 7 I got my first classical guitar.” Hope’s daring side did not want to settle with a classical guitar. “Over a short amount of time I did not want to play classical guitar. This is not me. I said to my dad I want to play that Fender Strat that you have. I literally felt it as I was playing”

She isn’t a cookie-cutter pop artist. Vista has a dynamic sound with rock influence. “My sound is very rock influenced and rock oriented.

It’s just kind of what I grew up on. That’s the first type of music I really indulged myself in. There is a lot of heavy guitar and catchy melodies.”

Hope doesn’t perform just in the hopes (no pun intended) that someone will listen for the duration of her set, she wants her listeners to experience the music. “I really want songs that people at shows can dance to and kind of...feel. I really like it when I can feel music pulsing through my own body. I want to do the same thing for other people so they can feel it too, not just hear it” Vista says.

Although, still up and coming, Vista has a strong presence on social media. Her fans who she refers to as “hurricanes”, adore her quirky personality which includes an affinity for zebras and Dr. Pepper. The fan name came from a childhood nickname and now refers to her fans “barreling through taking things over“. Her honest personality and savvy skills have earned her a special relationship with her “hurricanes”. “I have kind of worked with social media and used it to my advantage by being personable and just being honest. I don’t have anything to hide so I just like tweeting my thoughts or some random things about zebras or Dr. Pepper. People can relate to those little random thoughts and not feel like they have to hold back their thoughts.” Hope values her followers as more than just users she interacts with on a website. “I don’t like using the word fans I like using the word family more because they really do become like your family and friends. You get to know these people as individuals and not as users. That’s really important in this industry.”

Underdog Press | 31

She also carries a lot of life experience from working part time while attending school full time and still making time for family. She just graduated from college with a degree in Writing. Vista now works full time, but is able to focus more on her career. “I work nine hours a day, then I come home and work on music.” Vista recently released a charity single titled “To: Daddy” in honor of her late father who passed away from cancer. All of the money earned from the single will be donated.

The song features raw emotion and pure honesty. “It’s an open letter to my dad. It’s very raw. It’s exactly how I was feeling. It’s not very pleasant.

The lyrics aren’t happy.”

By the end of our conversation, Hope felt more like a friend than a rising star. Follow Hope Vista on her social media to get some insight into her personality and watch out for her new music which will be available very soon! “The songs are written. They are in the sets. They are my sound and it’s really nice to have songs that finally show who I am as an artist.”

photos by Karina Cordova story by Carol Simpson Underdog Press | 32

Facebook.com/HopeVista Twitter.com/HopeVista Instagram: HopeVista

M A X

“Music has always been a vehicle for everything else. Not just listening to the song, but connecting to it.�

A Soulful Act Breathing New Life Into Pop Music Interview + story by Carol Simpson Photos by karina Cordova

MAX is only 23 years old, but he’s already quite the accom-

plished performer. He’s sweet, charming, and, not to mention, extremely talented. This versatile performer blends soul, R&B, pop, and so much more into his well thought out tunes. MAX is sure to be changing music and providing tough competition for the solo male artists of today and those of the future.

Spending time on the ever diverse Boys of Zummer tour with Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa, and Hoodie Allen, has been just one of the many highlights of his summer. “It has been amazing. Just a couple of weeks, but it’s been interesting. [Definitely] the most diverse tour I have ever been on…a lot of smells. A lot of different smells.” No comment on what those smells are, but Schneider agrees that this tour provides a unique and thrilling experience for concertgoers. “What is so great about this show is [that] there is such different music. Maybe someone is not as into Fall Out Boy as they are of Wiz or vice versa. I think everyone’s sets are so different and high energy and you can’t help but get into it.

That’s something that everyone is drawn to. Sometimes you’ll see a show that is all one genre and your ears get tired. On this one your ears will never get tired. There are so many different sounds.

Best case scenario is when someone comes to a show and becomes a fan of another band.”

On top of being on a tour that’s pulling in roughly 20,000 fans each night, Max has recently been named one of MTV’s Artist To Watch. Although his schedule is tightly packed he still finds time to film covers of popular songs for YouTube. He doesn’t just halfass these covers and often collaborates with some famous friends like Against The Current and Victoria Justice. “It’s never just like ‘oh let’s put up a video’. We try to pay homage to the way the Underdog Press | 37

artist works. I love being able to do that.

It has always been a really good place for me to put music out in the open.” Max takes a creative risk with his covers sometimes, but always incorporates his soul and R&B twist.

“I love soul. I love R&B. That’s my favorite thing to do especially with songs that might not be that way originally. It definitely takes a second to take a risk like our cover of “See You Again”. We went way outside of the box to do it and it was a little risky.”

Max believes he has more than just a song to offer to his listeners. “I want people to know that if they connect with it, that’s always the goal. Music has always been a vehicle for everything else. Not just listening to the song itself, but connecting to it…coming out to a show and feeling that experience. What I have to offer is more than just a song.”

With such talent and success Max strives to stay level headed by surrounding himself with good people. “It’s all about the people that you have around you. People that will slap me in the face if I think I’m too cool or any of that shit. You need that beUnderdog Press | 38

cause there are moments where you are like ‘oh that’s so cool’ and it’s like nah nothing is that big of a deal. You should never think that you’re any better than anyone else. Everybody is just trying to make it.” Although he’s super confident on stage, he hasn’t always been so sure of himself. “In the beginning I was was worried about what people thought about me and if they thought I was uncool or that something that I did was uncool or if they thought I was cheese. I just realized that it doesn’t matter.”

He’s young and thriving, but Max won’t be disappearing from music anytime soon. He is just getting started. He is a confident gentleman with immense talent about to take over the world and redefine pop music. Max has some great plans coming up for the fall including new music and more tour dates, but until then you can watch his covers on YouTube and check out his single “Gibberish” featuring Hoodie Allen.

“Gibberish (feat. Hoodie Allen”is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other digital retailers.

Underdog Press | 39

gates

photo by Carol Simpson

New Jersey band, Gates, have an eclectic and soothing

sound. They are signed to Pure Noise Records whose roster includes phenomenal acts like State Champs, Elder Brother, and Four Year Strong. Their full length, Bloom and Breathe, was released on October 21st, 2014. Since then the band has been working non-stop to promote this release. They have hit several festivals this season including Skate and Surf in New Jersey and Spring Fling in Cleveland, OH. Gates are also set to perform at Today’s Mixtape Festival this August in Patchogue, NY. Soon after that they will be heading out on The Rebirth tour this fall with The Dear Hunter and CHON.

Gates will be hitting the studio after their fall dates, but will be getting inspiration from their fellow tour mates while they’re on the road. “We’re going into the studio to work on our second full length I think it’ll be really cool to get inspired by watching CHON and The Dear Hunter” Dan told us. They’re fortunate enough to be touring with bands that they are also fans of. “We have all been big fans of them and it’s kind of a prestigious tour to be on. So it’ll be a great time” Ethan says.

The band has a pretty tight window after touring to get into the studio so luckily they have been writing during these summer months, but they won’t be writing on the road. “We’ve been writing about three days a week since we have been home from the Pianos tour. Definitely not writing on the road” says Ethan. They have very good reasons for not writing on the road which Dan pointed out so keenly. “if you’re not driving, you’re sleeping, if you’re not sleeping, your pigging out on snacks, [laughs] we’re stopping for piss breaks every 2 hours. It’s difficult to [write] on the road. Maybe in the future.”

Underdog Press | 41

With a great record and a great live show to match, it’s no surprise Gates has become so popular recently. Although they have a ways to go, the band never expected to make it this far. “I don’t think we had any milestone expectations. When we first started it was like writing songs in the basement together and it just so happened that people were really into it right off the bat. When it was set in motion, we did a couple of tours DIY, then we ended up getting a booking agent [and] manager. We ended up getting signed. So all of these little milestones kept happening. Which is cool, so we kept going with it. It’s definitely nice” Dan told us. With so many milestones already accomplished their main goal is to have the record finished and set up for a spring release. “The only goal for the rest of this year is finishing the record” says Ethan. “We have to get into the studio and get to work as soon as possible.

We’re trying to jam as much as possible.” Be sure to catch Gates on tour this fall with CHON and The Dear Hunter. photos + interview by Carol Simpson

Underdog Press | 42

BLOOM AND BREATHE Available now via Pure Noise Records Facebook.com/gatesnj Twitter.com/gatesmusic gatesnj.com gates.merchnow.com

GALL

LERY

photo by Carol SImpson

photo by Sam Lesser

photo by Sam Lesser

photo by Carol SImpson

photo by Sam Lesser

FIREWORKS

photo by Carol SImpson

photo by Carol Simpson

A GREAT BIG P

ILE OF LEAVES photo by Sam Lesser

GATES

photo by Carol Simpson

THE SUM photo by Sam Lesser

MER SET

photo by Sam Lesser

SLEEPING W

WITH SIRENS

photo by carol Simpson

ONE CLICK

K WAITING

HOPE VISTA photo by Carol Simpson

AWOLNATION

photo by Carol Simpson

photo by Sam Lesser

THE STOR

RY SO FAR