WHITE NOISE ZINE - ISSUE 2 by White Noise Zine

Issue 2 // July 2015

F F O T I T E S The big summer issue! First Listen: This Century's last album

PLUS: TOP 10 MUST SEE WARPED TOUR SETS

+ Oh Honey + A Brilliant Lie + Gone By Friday + Harbour + and more!

White Noise (noun) - A steady, unobtrusive sound, as an electronically produced drone or the sound of rain, used to mask or obliterate unwanted sounds.

Co-Founder - Photographer Crisanne Glasser Co-Founder - Editor in Chief Danielle Gittleman Contributing Writers Alyssa Paulsen, Tori Pisco, Danielle Gittleman, Amanda Damielo, and Kasey Seifried Contributing Photographers Sheri Berman, Alyssa Kromelis, Crisanne Glasser, Amber James, Amanda Damelio, and Sam Polonsky

Thank You 8123, Nick Santino, A Brilliant Lie, Not Tonight Josephine, Jaime Schultz, BoyMeetsWorld, Midwest Rising PR, Gone By Friday, Set it Off, Equalvision Records, Oh Honey, Fueled by Ramen, Atlantic Records, Harbour, This Century, Carry the 4, Fearless Records. We would also like to thank everyone who had a hand in making this magazine possible and for all of the continuous support over the last few months. We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do any of this without you guys! We are currently in the process of expanding our team. If you would like to become part of White Noise, please reach out to either crissy@whitenoisezine.com or danielle@whitenoisezine.com.

Website http://whitenoisezine.com Twitter @whitenoisezine Facebook http://facebook.com/whitenoisezine

CONTENTS Nick Santino

A Brilliant Lie

BoyMeetsWorld

Gone By Friday

Oh Honey

Harbour

Set it Off 10 Warped Sets You NEED to See

Not Tonight Josephine

Album Reviews

o n i t n a S k c Ni Interview by Danielle Gittleman // Photo Courtesy of 8123 It’s been a couple of years since you parted ways with A Rocket To The Moon. How has it been to be on your own as a solo artist? It’s been cool. A real learning process. Figuring myself out. Figuring out who I am and who I want to be. Lots of soul searching. Big Skies was your debut solo album last year. What was it like recording and writing as a solo artist for your very own album in comparison with A Rocket To The Moon? It is a bit more personal. I can write about thinks that are a little more close to home when I write by myself. Your last release was your EP Savannah, in December. Do

you have any plans for any releases in the future? Yeah I’m working on music all the time. I’m sure you’ll see or hear something soon! Big Skies was produced by Pat Kirch of The Maine. Do you have plans to work with him again? Pat and I always have a good time together in the studio. I’m always down to make music with him Is there anyone that you hope to collaborate with musically on any upcoming new material? Honestly anyone. I love collaborating. Whether it makes sense or not. You learn from each other and it’s a great creative experience

Last summer you were out on the Vans Warped Tour. Can fans expect to see you again on the tour this year at all? Not this year. Perhaps in the future though. I like Warped. Last year you released a mini documentary for fans. Do you have any plans to do more behind the scenes videos like this? Not any plans right now, but I’m sure it will happen. Is there anything else you’d like to tell your fans? Come on out to a show! Or just keep your ears out for more new stuff soon. Never know when I’ll release something! Thanks so much for all of the support.

4 http://whitenoisezine.com

t n a i l l i r B A by Words

Tori P

hotos isco // P

Cour

Carry tesy of

the 4

6 http://whitenoisezine.com

e i tL http://whitenoisezine.com

Brilliant Lie hailing from Orlando, Florida has been known to reveal a hilariously spunky attitude throughout their presence. Things like wearing towel capes, ridiculous costumes, and creating live action “dinocorns” have admittedly occurred. Not to mention, playing a set on a moving flatbed trailer through the middle of downtown Orlando during a music festival. “Take THAT, pedestrians!” they said. Their music, however, counteracts their playful personalities and consumes listeners on a more serious and emotionally driven level. In 2013, the band released their EP, Waking Vessels, under the wings of the highly notable producer, James Paul Wisner. Wisner is known to have worked with industry leaders such as Paramore, Dashboard Confessional, and Underoath. “Wisner just has this amazing vibe overall. He helped us better define our sound, and we continue to use those lessons to improve our current music. Also, he has a really high-powered blender in his kitchen that is super impressive.” There’s that spunky personality shining through… Despite all the fun and games, tracks like “Astra

Castra” and “There, I Said It” off Waking Vessels are deeply rooted and powerfully supported by female fronted vocals and eerie vibes somewhat reminiscent of The Hush Sound. A Brilliant Lie’s touring history has put them in the presence of greatly renowned musicians such as, Passion Pit, Coheed and Cambria, and Anberlin. Giving thought to future collaborations, vocalist and guitarist, Tara Lightfoot,

mentioned The Joy Formidable, Tiny Moving Parts, and Ume as bands that seem fit or complementary to A Brilliant Lie’s goals. “As far as dream collaborations, I’d have to say Butch Vig would be a fantastic learning experience. And I’ve always wanted to harmonize with Davey Havok.” she added. Jason Lemrond (guitar/

keys) has interest in working with artists outside of their genre, such as John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, or Zedd. As for Matt Movens (guitar/vocals), he’d sacrifice a limb to work alongside Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) or Butch Walker. Chris Lane (drums) took the “think-outside-the-box” label that the band has branded itself with to another level in suggesting Messuggah — a Swedish extreme metal band. In support of Waking Vessels, 2014 was dedicated to playing shows and generating name exposure, most heavily throughout Central Florida. Coming up on the five-year mark as a band, A Brilliant Lie believes the upcoming year will be huge for them. “This year is going to be a celebration of what we’ve become and where we are going as artists.” The schedule includes working alongside Jason Aaron Jones, a partner of Wisner’s, on a new release towards the end of April. “It’s taken us a little longer to finally start tracking, but we think the pre-production was worth it. So once things get kicked off, it’ll be a lot of ABL in your face.” said Lightfoot. Her bandmates also mentioned some plans having to do with knitting, cats, and a combination of the two. It will

8 http://whitenoisezine.com

be an interesting year for these outrageous personalities, to say the least. Heading into the studio with some new members will add something unique to the sound of their upcoming releases. However, coming together at the drawing board through writing and preproduction hasn’t been much different. “Writing a song is kind of like Legos. You build something you think is cool. Then your friend moves a couple blocks and you think, ‘Well damn it…that IS better!’ Then, someone else comes in and kicks the whole thing over. We argue, get mad at each other, argue some more, decide we can do way better, become friends again and go eat

burritos. Once our bellies are full, we sit back in the rehearsal space again and finish the song.” To keep in the know with A Brilliant Lie, follow them! “We’re on pretty much any social media platform you can think of. Share our posts, send us messages, leave threatening notes on our cars…whatever. We’re open. We just need friends.” Also, they may have mentioned needing a few couches to sleep on in the near future.

KEEP UP WITH A BRILLIANT LIE ON TWITTER FOR TOUR UPDATES AND MORE! @ABRILLIANTLIE

http://whitenoisezine.com

BOYMEETSWORLD

WORDS BY ALYSSA PAULSEN // PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIDWEST RISING

BoyMeetsWorld are the fast track to doing just that very thing – meeting the world. Since forming in 2012, the pop-rock band has been in a whirlwind that’s taken them straight to their first full-length album and officially onto the Vans Warped Tour 2015. They’ve already had experiences with Warped Tour 2014 as well as the huge festivals SXSW and SBSW, and it has landed them on the radar as an up and coming band that’s ready to trek its way through the pop-rock scene. Guitarist Drew Richter said ambition is what makes them stand out among the other aspiring bands from the same time. He said, “We made the effort to get our foot in the door and to make ourselves stand out with hard work and personality. If you wanna hit big milestones quickly, you gotta be willing to make some sacrifices, and put forward the extra effort.” Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, the band began with brothers Ryan, Brad, and Craig Sulken setting aside all projects to pursue their music career. After a bit of musical chairs between vocalists and guitarists, the current line up with Drew Thomason and Drew Richter set the stage for their debut. The band set out to record their first full-length album with Eric Tuffendsam at Moonlight Studios once more. The producer/engineer had previously helped them with their debut EP Do What’s Best For You, and brought along his “bells and whistles” as Richter called it to make their songs shine. “We want[ed] big catchy

choruses, tight instrumentals with some cool leads every now and again and a lot of energy. Just a nice big accessible sound that most audiences can enjoy and we indeed tried to incorporate those things on Become Someone.” The writing process was heavier and far more intricate than anything they’d done before. Richter and vocalist Craig Sulken put together the bulk of the writing. Between Sulken’s determination and Richter’s ambitious push

“IF YOU WANNA HIT BIG MILESTONES QUICKLY, YOU GOTTA BE WILLING TO MAKE SOME SACRIFICES” to keep variety in the mix, BoyMeetsWorld was able to put together the 12 tracks that made up Become Someone. The title track stems from the idea of what the wait is like to become someone in whatever field you’re after. Richter went on to say how that wait in the music industry especially could seem like “an eternity of misfortune. The title fit very well with the art, and the overall message of getting out there and becoming someone.” That message is going strong with this group of guys, as they remain an unsigned artist, independently making their own path to reach what they want to be. The advantages work in

their favor as well. “We keep all our profits and it looks cool to other bands when we make big things happen. Theoretically if you got super big as a DIY artist you’d be making the most money,” Richter explained. “Also it gives us a strong connection with fans.” He added on that bassist Brad Sulken acts as the bridge between them and the fans. “Brad is good at networking and talking to people, and as a fossil, he adds a backbone to the old school style of pop rock that we try to uphold.” So with a clear image of the pop-rock future they aspire to play in, BoyMeetsWorld confidently inches closer and closer to their first album’s release. The promising experiences they lend to the impending Vans Warped Tour 2015 are just a fragment of the possibilities and expectations they hold against themselves. As a general statement from the band, they say, “I think the amount of potential we have is big — we have a huge opportunity to gain countless fans across the nation, and we’re going to give everything in our power to make that happen.” Become Someone drops on July 16th and BoyMeetsWorld will be on every date of Vans Warped Tour 2015.

12 http://whitenoisezine.com

http://whitenoisezine.com

GONE BY FRIDAY Words by Alyssa Paulsen // Photos by Rob Menzer

14 http://whitenoisezine.com

http://whitenoisezine.com

The idea of a quarter life crisis may be a brand new term for some of you, some may have even danced around one, but for Gone By Friday it’s the omega – the album, that is. The pop-punk band recently put out their second album entitled Quarter Life Crisis that no doubt carries the essence of that theme. “We put our heart and soul into those seven songs,” the band said about its nature. “It’s definitely a coming of age album [with] lots of revelations and question asking. We’re pleased with how the record turned out and the reception it received.” The album was recorded in their hometown of Queens, New York at Sevensound Recording Co.. The band utilized having New York at their disposal by taking it one step further – by filming a music video in the middle of a

“WE HAVE A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN A RAW EMPHATIC PUNK SOUND WITH SOME POP MELODIC SENSIBILITY” subway. They invaded the Q Train in Brooklyn to record the music video for “Quarter Life Crisis.” They boarded at 6 A.M. Sunday morning hoping to quietly film their video for the first single on the album, and finished in front of a less-than-quiet applauding crowd. Nerves were extremely high, but the video turned out to be a success. “We think we have a good balance between a raw emphatic punk sound with some pop melodic sensibility,” the band described their overall sound on Quarter Life Crisis. “You can definitely tell we love our roots.” Following suit, but in their own steps, Gone by Friday traces those roots back to bands like Green Day, Lagwagon, and Blink-182. Unanimously, their favorite song off the album ties in extremely well with the album title. It’s called “The Story So Forgotten,” a song about fading into local band obscurity. Based off their success in 2015 so far, that theme hopefully won’t be their own quarter life crisis. They said that their shows are only getting

better each time, but they’re garnered a lot more attention than they expected. The band is hoping that that attention will be enough to help them win a contest to secure a spot on Vans Warped Tour starting next month. When asked what makes them stand out amongst the other aspiring pop-punk bands, they said, “We definitely are influenced by a time long passed. We can’t tell if it’s just age but we remember a different kind of Warped Tour. It would be cool to bring back some of that old sound with our modern twinge.” Warped Tour could use a bit of their old school vibe, and Gone by Friday could definitely be counted on to do so. Keep an eye out for them this summer and check out Quarter Life Crisis.

KEEP UP WITH BOYMEETSWORLD ON TWITTER FOR TOUR UPDATES AND MORE. BE SURE TO CATCH THEM ON THIS YEAR’S VANS WARPED TOUR! @OFFICIALBMWBAND

16 http://whitenoisezine.com

http://whitenoisezine.com

TONIGHT ALIVE PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

ALL TIME LOW PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

MISS MAY I PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

lle Gittleman

anie Words by D

Y E N HO s

ntic Record

esy of Atla Photos court

Much like the catchy lyrics from their hit song, “Be Okay,” Oh Honey “can’t complain about much these days.” “Be Okay,” from the band’s EP With Love, shot to the top the charts. The single blew up on radio stations, and has even been featured in commercials, such as Chili’s, and the ABC show Selfie. Members Mitchy Collins and Danielle Bouchard can’t wrap their heads around all of the sudden success. “It’s definitely a surreal feeling. We’ve been working at this dream our whole lives and then watching everything happen so quickly is pretty crazy. It’s like watching a movie of your life and trying to catch up,” the duo said. “Be Okay” was also featured and performed on the hit FOX show Glee. The show is known for covering the most popular songs on the charts. To be featured on a show with such a broad audience was an even greater experience for the Collins and Bouchard. “Finding out our song was gonna be featured was one of the most nerve-wracking things we’ve experienced,” they said. “We got the email about it, but then they wouldn’t confirm for months whether or not it was actually happening. It was the first really big thing that happened, so we were on edge the whole time crossing our fingers and trying not to get our hopes up. And then literally the night before the episode aired, they confirmed it. “Watching it was insane. Our YouTube and Twitter numbers exploded almost instantly. Knowing that millions of other

people were watching Lea Michele and Naya Rivera sing our song was so crazy. We popped champagne and kept watching it over and over again.” Before the immense amount of success, Collins and Bouchard started out in Brooklyn, New York, and their music is inspired by where they began. “Our inspiration come more so from the actual city than the music scene. Everywhere you go you can find something new, whether it’s a band you haven’t heard of in some local dive bar, or a new restaurant, or a cool little spot with a beautiful view tucked away in some corner of the city. NYC moves at such a quick pace and there’s something so inspiring and magical about it,” the pair said. So far, Oh Honey has released three EPs, Sincerely Yours, With Love, and most recently, Wish You Were Here, Bouchard and Collins work together when it comes to writing and recording; everything is a collaborative effort. When the pair write, a song can come from a lyric or a simple riff, everything comes together easily for them. “All of our songs are pulled from somewhere personal,” the duo said. “We are human just like everyone else: we go through heartbreak, family trouble, success, failure, and life in general. We pour all of that into our songs and hope that they’re able to help someone out there who is going through the same things to feel a little less alone.” Wish You Were Here was the

band’s first EP of this year, and they approached it differently than last year’s EPs. “We got a little bit more real on Wish You Were Here. It ‘Can’t Rain Forever’ and ‘Sugar, You’ remain true to our mantra of optimism and hopefulness. ‘Compass’ and ‘A Thousand Times are a bit heavier — trying to make love work despite distance and being away for months at a time, and not taking who you love for granted because one day they may not be in your life anymore, leaving you with the question, ‘What if I would have just done this differently?’” they said. As of right now, they’ve only released EPs, and have another one coming out sometime this summer titled, Until Next Time. Collins and Bouchard are constantly writing, and hope to have a full length out soon. The immense amount of success has allowed Oh Honey to have their own headlining tour rather quickly. The Postcards Across America tour along with Public, recently ended at the end of April, and it was a great experience for the duo. “Headlining was definitely an amazing experience; playing songs we don’t normally get to play and having it truly be our show was something so new and exciting,” the pair explained. “We had an amazing year touring, but we were always the opener, which means we got to play for 30 minutes, and there’s only so many songs you can fit into that amount of time. Headlining mean we got to play for a full hour and play songs we don’t

26 http://whitenoisezine.com

Photo by Shanna Fisher

normally have the time to.” everything they’ve done for the They added: “The coolest band thus far. “Thank you for part of headlining though was everything. Without each and definitely meeting all of the every one of you, we wouldn’t people who truly care about be able to do what we do. To us, who have followed us and make music and tour for a supported our music. That was living...without all of you this the best part.” would all be a dream. You guys There’s nowhere else to make it possible for us. For that, go but up for Oh Honey. For the we’re forever grateful,” they rest of the year, the band plans said. to continue what they’re doing: touring, writing, and recording. They do, however, hope to go to the UK or Australia in the future. This summer, the band will be hitting the road with Ingrid Michaelson in the beginning of June, and after that, head back to the studio to make some @OHHONEYMUSIC more music. With so much success already, Oh Honey owes it all to the fans, and is thankful for 28 http://whitenoisezine.com

KEEP UP WITH OH HONEY ON TWITTER FOR TOUR UPDATES AND MORE!

HARBOUR

Words by Kasey Seifried // Photo courtesy of Carry the 4

It’s going to be a hell of Warped Tour would be a dream where you’re just on the road a summer for Harbour as they (despite the lack of pop punk and losing track of what day of hit the states to support their bands). Right now we’ve got to the week it is.” Where can you newest release, Grade School be realistic and stick with what find them next? Well apparently, Summer. The self described we know and can do in the “you can catch us eating all the “old school pop punk” band states.” burritos.” who thrives on beer and hating In the mean time, the on their exes, are loving life as band is keeping familiar with they spend their post-album, their stomping grounds of mid-tour life having fun, waking Ontario, and returning to some up after noon, and doing what familiar places. “These shows KEEP UP WITH they want, whenever they in Montreal and Quebec City HAROUR ON want. both had great turnouts and lots TWITTER FOR The band scored a of people excited that we were major victory when Japanese playing in their city, it was really TOUR UPDATES label Bullion welcomed them cool. We played to over 50 AND MORE! into their family, “It’s something kids each night, with playing to we’re super excited about and maybe 5 kids the first time we @HARBOUR_ proud of. They have been great played Quebec!” TORONTO with keeping us up to date.” As for now, Harbour But Harbour likes to keep it seems to be enjoying the real with what comes next: “We warm weather and some good have plans of hitting the states company, because after all this summer. Hoping on [Vans] “summer should be a time http://whitenoisezine.com 29

F O T I T E S ittleman

Danielle G Words by

e Schultz

by Jaim // Photos

he dreaded set up some collaborations to accomplish a specific niche sophomore slump is a on this record such as William or sound. We wrote music we fear amongst bands, something Beckett — formerly of The liked and that we would listen that is always floating in the void Academy Is… — and Jason to.” when it comes to releasing their Lancaster — formerly of Writing and recording second record. For pop-punk Mayday Parade and Go Radio music that the band really rockers Set It Off, their second — giving fans an extra surprise enjoys allows for touring and album was far from the feared on the record. “They are great playing live shows to become slump. friends and extremely talented more enjoyable, too. The guys Hailing from Tampa, people,” said Carson. “It was were recently on the road on Florida, lead singer Cody an absolute pleasure to be the Glamour Kills Tour with Carson, guitarists Dan Clermont able to collaborate with these Against The Current, As It Is and Zach DeWall, and drummer guys. They completed their and ROAM. “This is the most Maxx Danziger have created takes on the first send and I fun I’ve ever had playing Set It Duality, their second fullcouldn’t be more pleased wit Off songs live in my entire life! length as a band that’s created their efforts and execution of They’re so full of energy; you quite the buzz amongst their their respective role within their can dance to it, it’s a physical fans, since their debut album, journey of entertainment in one Cinematics, in 2012. “I’m show. There are no difficulties, extremely satisfied with the really. If anything, I think it’s “WE ALL HAVE reception of this record,” said helped us reach a new level of THIS SIDE TO USE a live show,” said Carson. Carson. “I guess the concept came about when I took a The guys even had THAT WE DON’T step back and analyzed us as fun pranking their tour mates. WISH TO SHARE a band. We are the goofiest On April Fool’s Day Carson kids in the world with an affinity WITH THE WORLD” explained that the band pulled for stupid jokes and acting a out some of their best tricks fool, but once we step on that for ROAM and As It Is. “It was stage, a switch flips on and we such a fun night. We interrupted become intense monsters. It’s feature. I’m just looking forward ROAM’s set and walked on our duality. to finally getting them on stage stage on our phones while “We all have this side to to sing their parts live!” screaming our conversations use that we don’t wish to share There’s a big difference into microphones. We also with the world. We all have between writing and recording brought up a judge’s table with flaws that we are ashamed of. I your first album compared to scoring cards and insults during encourage you with this record, your second, third and so on. As It Is’ set and judged a song. show the world who you really No different for Set It Off guys, Everyone was great sports are, live according to who you they found that this time around about it.” feel you are deep down to your was much easier to accomplish. The Glamour Kills Tour core. If some people like the “We worked on Duality in such ran through the end of April, real you? Great! If they don’t? an unconventional way. We and the Set It Off guys are set Then they don’t deserve your didn’t have a traditional studio’ to embark on the Vans Warped friendship or attention. Fight for we started with [producer] Tour this summer. The last yourself, fight for your duality.” Brandon Paddock in an empty time the band was on the tour Duality was written with room with no guitar,” explained was back in 2013, so they’re a great message in mind, and Carson. “We had 40 demos we definitely excited to be back on it really translated into the had to narrow down to 11. But once again. They’re expecting songs on the record. The guys the best difference was when for things to be much different in Set It Off also were able to we went in to write; we didn’t try this time around. “We’re on a 32 http://whitenoisezine.com

bigger stage, I’m more focused Press Music Awards. The show honored to obtain those than I’ve ever been in my life, is on July 22nd, and the guys nominations.” and I can’t wait to make more are up for both Best Music The APMAs are fan new friends,” said Carson. “I Video and Best Song of the voted, and the guys in Set It think I was a bit reserved last Year for “Why Worry.” The video Off asked their dedicated fans time, I didn’t really go out and shows Carson dressed all in to help them win. In April, the meet new people as much as black and all in white, which band held a few contests to get I could have and I’m excited to gives off a good versus evil their fans voting. They offered change that.” vibe. “We know that the album winners personal items from Playing on a bigger stage was going to be called Duality each member of the band, calls for a bigger audience, before we started working phone calls, autographs and and the guys in Set It Off are on the video. I realized while a personal acoustic video of ready to take on that challenge listening back to “Why Worry,” any song. “Our fan base — of more people to play for and that it possessed the qualities the Dream Catchers — are entertain. “We intend to put on of Duality through and through extremely loyal and hard a show that leaves every pair of — from instrumental structure working. We know they were eyes that fixate on us that day all the way to lyrics. Our goal going to go to extreme lengths to go home and talk about us. was to add another dimension for this nomination so we We take pride in our live show, of Duality through visual decided to really reward them and I am excited to get the perspective in this video. That’s for their efforts,” said Carson. opportunity to play this amazing why we have the separation of “We always make a point to tour with these talented bands.” dark to light, good Cody and evil let them know how much they Although Set It Off Cody, and it took place within a mean to us and how much we will be busy on Warped Tour church due to the gospel vibe appreciate them.” all summer, they’ve been the song possesses,” explained Set It Off are one nominated for some Alternative Carson. “We are absolutely of those bands that really http://whitenoisezine.com 33

appreciate their fans, and are willing to do anything for them. In Duality, the band talks a lot about learning to accept every side of yourself, and encourages their fans to embrace their insecurities. “You have flaws, you make mistakes, and you’re not perfect. Guess what? I’m exactly the same way,” said Carson. “It’s not a bad thing; your flaws are your thumbprint, learn to love them. You are a unique individual and if someone doesn’t like you for who you actually are, then they don’t deserve you in their life. Surround yourself with selfaware, rational, real people, not empty shells that seek to fulfill

some false social status like some popularity contest. Your honest with yourself will take you to heights you can’t even imagine. You are real, and you are loved, so go out and show the world your true Duality.”

KEEP UP WITH SET IT OFF ON TWITTER FOR TOUR UPDATES AND MORE! @SETITOFF

34 http://whitenoisezine.com

TOP 10 SETS YOU MUST SEE AT THIS YEAR’S VANS WARPED TOUR 1. PVRIS – (playing the whole tour) The rock band trio from Lowell, Massachusetts will be hitting the road on this year’s Warped Tour. White Noise, the band’s debut album came out in November 2014, and was produced by Blake Harnage of Versa. This is the second year PVRIS will be on the Vans Warped Tour and are excited to get back out there to play songs from their first full-length, so be sure to see their set. 2. PIERCE THE VEIL – (playing the whole tour) Pierce The Veil are no strangers to The Vans Warped Tour, and will be playing for fans throughout the entire tour yet again. Fresh off of their world tour with Sleeping With Sirens, the foursome from San Diego, California will be playing some of their well-known hits for fans all summer, so make sure you check them out. 3. SET IT OFF – (playing the whole tour) The band hailing from Clearwater, Florida will be on the entire Vans Warped tour since 2013. Since releasing their sophomore album Duality in October 2014, the band has been touring in support of the new album almost non-stop. The pop-rock band promises passionate music and a set you won’t want to miss this summer. 4. JULIET SIMMS – (playing the whole tour) Rocker Juliet Simms from Tampa, Florida, will be joining Warped Tour all summer long, playing some of her newest music from her EP All Or Nothing for fans. Since coming in second place on season two of The Voice, Simms has been nothing short of successful. Whether she’s playing songs from her former band Automatic Loveletter or currently as a solo artist, she will be a performance worth going to. 5. AUGUST BURNS RED – (playing the whole tour) Hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hardcore metal rockers August Burns Red will be making their return to Warped Tour since headlining in 2013. From touring with bands like A Day to Remember and Bring Me The Horizon, these modern day metal rockers will definitely be a set you won’t want to miss. 36 http://whitenoisezine.com

6. METRO STATION – (playing the whole tour) The band that brought you the hit “Shake It” in 2008 are back and ready to get back out onto the music scene. Since taking a permanent break in 2010, the duo from Los Angeles made up of Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso are back together again. Be sure to catch them performing one of their hits and some of their new songs off of their EP Gold all summer long. 7. KNUCKLE PUCK – (playing the whole tour) Pop-punk rockers, Knuckle Puck from Chicago, Illinois will be hitting the Vans Warped Tour stage all summer long. After touring with The Maine all spring, the band will be playing songs from their two EPs, While I Stay Secluded and Don’t Come Home. Be sure to catch their set all summer long on tour. 8. MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK – (playing June 19 – June 21) Motion City Soundtrack are no strangers to The Vans Warped Tour scene. Since forming in 1997 from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Motion City Soundtrack have released five albums to date. If you’re lucky enough to attend Warped Tour when they’re playing a few select dates, you most definitely won’t want to miss their set. 9. ATTILA – (playing the whole tour) Heavy metal hardcore rockers Attila hailing from Atlanta, Georgia will yet again be playing the Vans Warped Tour. With a huge metalcore following, the heavy rockers will definitely be playing to large crowds all summer long. Since headlining last year’s Warped Tour, Attila will most definitely have a set that you will not want to miss. 10. RIFF RAFF – (playing the whole tour) Hip-hop artist from Houston, Texas, Riff Raff, will be making his Vans Warped Tour debut this summer. To kick off his summer on Warped Tour, Riff Raff will be releasing not one, but two albums on June 1 titled Peach Panther and Purple Panther. Riff Raff will have plenty of new music to play, and is definitely worth checking out this summer.

FOR FULL LINEUP AND DATES OF THIS YEAR’S TOUR PRESENTED BY JOURNEY’S, VISIT VANSWARPEDTOUR.COM http://whitenoisezine.com

NOT TONIGHT Words by Amanda Damelio // Photos courtesy of Carry the 4

JOSEPHINE

For six years, Not Tonight Josephine has been burning up the Florida Music scene, quickly taking the title of “The Ones To Watch.” Now, with a new EP released in March, they are willing to take that further. This time, they’ve got Taylor Larson as the producer to help the process alone. “Our manager had suggested Taylor Larson, but we didn’t think we could get him because of his schedule,” guitarist Scott Vallina explained. However, Larson was able to schedule them in, and when he did there was a surprise in store. “Spencer Sotelo was in the studio at the same time as us working on both the new Periphery and the new From First To Last so we ended up working with him. I think he suggested it and we were like ‘Uh, yes absolutely.’ Both of them had a huge impact on the writing and production process. There were several songs that we came in with that were half written or ideas that we weren’t really sold on and they solidified certain parts and introduced some new ideas.” However, help from a talented duo is not the only thing that the members of Not Tonight Josephine have going for them. “Aside from the obvious fact that this is by far the heaviest release we’ve put out to date, it’s also very much the most forward.” Vallina said when talking about what sets Not Tonight Josephine’s self titled EP apart from their previous three works. “The lyrics are intentionally very straight forward and very

personal. It’s easy to hear what each song is about and the emotion is in your face.” While they have not yet recorded a full length EP, it is not because of a lack of ability. “EPs just seem to make more sense in the modern age of digital downloads of one song,” Vallina said. He leaves the possibility of a full length open, though. “I very much prefer full length albums, but I seem to be in the minority on the issue so I’m not sure at the moment. It’s certainly not for lack of material that we release EPs over full length albums.” When talking about preparations for the albums, it’s very clear that Not Tonight Josephine come into the album with enough material. “I’d say we probably go in with a good ten or so ideas. Some are complete songs, and some are nothing more than a cool riff on the guitars with a great vocal chorus melody over top that we work the kinks out of and finish writing in the studio.” Vallina said. For their most recent effort, Larson was sent eight or so song ideas before the band arrived at his studio in Bethesda, Maryland. Some of the products of sessions with Taylor Larson were surprising. “For example, we actually had little to no intention of doing ‘Eyes,’ but he heard the demo version of that song and really wanted to redo it and produce a whole new version of it with a catchier hook.” Vallina also explained that there were also moments of complete inspiration. “We wrote ‘Don’t Hold Your Tongue’ on the

spot in the studio. That was not something we brought with us and was very much a spur of the moment, inspiration struck writing experience.” Some items even got left on the cutting room floor, Vallina explained. “There were several songs that we had completely written from start to finish that we went in with that didn’t make the cut, and that’s usually determined by us as a whole and the producer. That’s part of Taylor’s job, to determine the best material we have or the material with the most potential to develop into a great song.” Some of these songs may be destined to continue to evolve and grow, just like Not Tonight Josephine has. “There were at least three songs that were completely written and demoed by us that were left on the cutting room floor for us to perhaps either one day revisit, or maybe release a b-sides EP. Now that I mention it, that’s kind of a cool idea.”

KEEP UP WITH NOT TONIGHT JOSEPHINE ON TWITTER FOR TOUR UPDATES AND MORE! @OFFICIALNTJ

40 http://whitenoisezine.com

A L

CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK!

Get Lost Find Yourself

U Words by Kasey Seifried

M R E V I E W

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! known for combining an underground pop-punk feel with the occasional metalcore instance thrown in the mix, are back with their latest effort Get Lost, Find Yourself via Fearless Records. This album is fixated on more on the poppunk aspect than anything else; it seems that the band is trying to shake off the, “A Day to Remember wannabe” reputation they’ve picked up over the years. Being the heaviest of the tracks, the band hits a high point with “Pull You Under”, but unfortunately it doesn’t get much better than that. There is a noticeable growth in the bands songwriting techniques, but this release is nowhere near groundbreaking, and sounds much like their past attempts, Pardon My French and Something for Nothing. The highlight of the album comes toward the end with the albums title track, and sole acoustic piece “Get Lost, Find Yourself.” The album demonstrates catchy lyrics and charismatic gang vocals but doesn’t seem to leave any lasting effects. Get Lost, Find Yourself will not surprise Chunk fans and non-fans a like, but it is a good track to bump every once in a while.

TRACKS TO CHECK OUT: Every Moment Get Lost, Find Yourself Twist the Knife KEEP UP WITH CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK ON TWITTER FOR TOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS & MORE! @CHUNKNOCAPTAINC

S 42 http://whitenoisezine.com

L B

FOUR YEAR STRONG Four Year Strong

U Words by Alyssa Paulsen

M R

Self-titled albums can either mean two are tired, I won’t change a thing.” On a different things – the band really felt this one in their plane, “Stolen Credit Card!” mixes between a souls, or they’re sizzling out and this all they slower, darker undertone and then bursts into a had left. Based off a single lyric alone – “Take melodic explosion of riffs. It delivers a message the best of everything I’ve got left” – Four Year that’s very well written – as is the rest of the Strong insures the band aren’t fading out. album – about standing your ground, and it They’ve come at us guns hot with an album that couldn’t have been more appropriate for a selfcould easily be their best. titled album. The sixth installment to Four Year In a quick, but never overwhelming Strong’s full length discography is a quickbunch, Four Year Strong put together one of lipped, aggressively exciting piece from start the strongest albums of 2015 thus far. It glides to finish. As one of the founding fathers of smoothly across your eardrums but ignites your Happycore, this album defined it with bold lines body with undeniable energy that began in the no one could confuse as wavering. Four Year early 2000s and has yet to fade. Four Year Strong is a classic that could’ve been made Strong is a solidly pressing piece of art that at any point in the last fifteen years of the reflects the best of its makers. band’s careet. It’s made in a new decade, but not out of place. They managed to retain their original roots without the songs sounding old or exhausted. Keeping with tradition, their quirky titles slide their way into the tracklisting, an example Wipe Yourself Off, Man. being “Wipe Yourself Off, Man. You Dead.” That song is a perfect example of the album’s ability You Dead. to sound closer to your brain on a completely KEEP UP WITH FOUR YEAR different level than anything they’ve done STRONG ON TWITTER before. It’s the rough-housing side of pop-punk that never went away. It’s full with no empty @FOURYEARSTRONG corners whatsoever, and bears lyrics as honest as ever like “It’s been the summer like I wanted but it’s never enough, and although my bones http://whitenoisezine.com 43

E V I E

TRACKS TO CHECK OUT:

W S

A THIS CENTURY L SOUL SUCKER

B U Words by Alyssa Paulsen

M R

There probably was not a more “This Century” choruses. appropriate album for This Century to release Taking it back to the very beginning, as their final album than Soul Sucker. Breakups “Seven” is the least poppy but forceful song on are never easy, but knowing they went out with the album. It settles perfectly in an era of Look a bang makes it a little easier. What We Made and the 2007 EP with breath Taking one step back from pop and tightening lyrics of “When I watch your ghost one step next to straight up alternative, This find a way in the dark; do you feel anymore?” Century put together an album that showcases Closer than that, “Unforgivable” gently thrashes the best they’ve ever been. There’s never a you around forwards and backwards, keeping point when you feel motionless; that’s never a perfect balance that we first tasted and been something This Century has allowed in questioned with To Love and Back – which was the first place. Beginning with the title track, how could someone’s voice be innocent yet “Soul Sucker” absolutely nailed the opener. sexy at the same time?? Demanding to “give me your love now,” Joel “Hot Friends” is an extremely fun track Kanitz’ ever evolving voice shocks with the that stars This Century as the 1950s heartthrob highest notes for the majority of the song that band. Without even noticing, it flips you back seamlessly transitions into their trademark and forth from that echo to Sound of Fire sound. It’s the new flavor we’ve never quite sounds. It’s effortless, completely effortless. seen from them. The songwriting was ever “Take Me Down” is the classic This Century feel strong in the opener as it is throughout the in a rumbling, yet happy way as it says with entire album. The only low point is the nod to familiarity, “I just wanna feel you, baby, running 80s pop “American Girls” and it only wavers in in my veins. I know that we’ll be alright, come parts. Even as the weakest track, it’s a pretty on, baby, take me down tonight.” damn good victory on their part. Make no mistake though – this is not The best part about Soul Sucker is how recycled material. Soul Sucker is the grand it acts as a farewell tour of sorts – you can finale that proves they truly did put everything clearly feel and hear everything that led to this they had into this album. It almost makes it release. Biography of Heartbreak is very clearly okay to see them leave since they left us such felt in songs like “Heaven” as it spins around a great record to listen to timelessly for years to playful and tricky sounds and “Wonder Why” come. This Century couldn’t have done a better that owns the most “This Century” chorus of all job on this album. 44 http://whitenoisezine.com

E V I E W S

L B

VERSUS THE WORLD Homesick/Roadsick

U Words by Amanda Damelio

M R

When you press play on Versus The out where one song ends and the next begins. World’s new album, the name Homesick/ This is great when you have time to listen to an Roadsick makes sense almost immediately. album from front to back, but when you pick out While listening to “The Santa Margarita,” it’s a song individually it can be a bit jarring. easy to imagine yourself barreling down an Regardless, this album will keep you moving. abandoned highway in the middle of the night, The fast moving beats demand a mosh just trying to get back home. pit, or just a solo dance party for the less In fact, the highest praise I can sing for adventurous among us (this journalist included.) the band’s upcoming release is that the music This album would be great for fans of Anberlin, is great for evoking emotions. Of course, every Alexisonfire, and Mayday Parade. Or, anyone piece of music conveys some sort of feeling. looking to get lost in emotions in nostalgia. But where other artists would make me feel “why yes, I do see where you’re coming from and I understand you,” Versus The World turns it into “Oh yes! I get it. I am feeling this right along with you, and this song is a form of bonding.” KEEP UP WITH VERSUS While we’re on the subject of feeling, THE WORLD ON I have to tell you that this album gives me a feeling of nostalgia that I can’t quite place. It TWITTER FOR TOUR stands well on its own, so it’s not that Homesick/ ANNOUNCEMENTS & Roadsick reminds me of another artist. Instead, I can only assume that this music makes me MORE! nostalgic for memories I don’t even have. “Our Song” makes me feel as though I am walking @VSTHEWORLD through the streets hand in hand with a young lover, and holding onto this amazing moment of bliss. The one downside I see to this album is how the songs blend together. When you listen to it cover to cover, it’s difficult to figure http://whitenoisezine.com 45

E V I E W S

For ticket information and dates, visit civictour.honda.com

WANT TO WORK FOR WHITE NOISE? WE'RE CURRENTLY LOOKING TO EXPAND OUR TEAM AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR - WRITERS - PHOTOGRAPHERS - SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS - WEBSITE MANAGERS EMAIL CRISSY@WHITENOISEZINE.COM OR DANIELLE@WHITENOISEZINE.COM IF YOU’RE INTERESTED!