WHITE NOISE ZINE - ISSUE 4 by White Noise Zine

Issue 4 // DEC 2015

VARIANTS THE ARTISTS TO WATCH ISSUE + SOULIDIUM + FACE VALUE + CASSANDRA SUN + OCEAN GRID + 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 Tori Pisco, Nicole Cortese, Layne Edwards, Melissa Thayer, Casey Wolfe, Danielle Gittleman, and Kasey Seifried Contributing Photographers Sheri Berman, Alyssa Kromelis, Crisanne Glasser, and Sam Polonsky

Thank You 8123, New Disorder, The Technicolors, Face Value, Cassandra Sun, Ocean Grid, Variants, Soulidium, State Champs, Ship Captain Crew, and Seaway. 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 New Disorder

The Technicolors

Face Value

Cassandra Sun

Ocean Grid

Variants

Soulidium

Album Reviews

NEW DISORDER STRAIGHT TO THE PAIN

Interview by Melissa Thayer // Photos courtesy of New Disorder

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YOU

may have never heard of New Disorder, but you’re about to, and they’re sure to be a favorite. The alternative-metal band from Italy originally formed in 2009 after two friends had worked on a musical endeavor together. However, it wasn’t until 2013 when those friends — lead singer Francesco Lattes and bassist Ivano Adamo began searching for new additions to their new project, New Disorder. Soon after they came across Lucas Mancini, current drummer, and guitarist Fabrizio Proietti. A year later, in 2014, they met Alessandro Cavalli, their second guitarist and the band fully came together as we now know it. New Disorder’s music it’s often described as alternative-metal. The band describes their music as “an outstanding mix of Rock, Metal and Punk flowing in an unique, solid sound, made by fast drumming, powerful guitar riffs and catchy melodies,” on their Facebook. After having a listen it seems like the best possible description for their music. When asked where the band drew their

inspiration from, they had this to say about it, “Most of our influences come from human character and the ‘surroundings’ where they live, and from the news; musically speaking we’ve got different ‘roots’ and background.” In 2011 the band released their first debut album, which was self-produced, entitled Total Brain Format. The release of this album and its success allowed the guys to get airtime on local radio stations, as well as begin playing shows in the area. The following year the band’s success really picked up and they began playing even more shows. They then announced that they had begun working on new music and would be releasing their next album the following year. 2013 began the year incredible success for New Disorder. In February the band released their first single, “Break Out Into Disorder,” and the music video for it to promote their newest album. Shortly after the release of “Break Out Into Disorder” the band announced that they had signed their first record deal with Revalve Records. One short month later, in March of 2013, the

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band released their second album entitled Dissociety. The record was a hit. The album was released not only throughout Europe but also in the US and Canada as well. The album is even available for a listen on Spotify. The band says that they have realized that the American music scene is very different from other European countries. “Our country has a very strong tradition with pop and melodic music and both people and media easily get along with it. Very few radios, TV channels or magazines are willing to risk giving exposure to different music genres like Rock and Metal.” While the band notices that the struggle for success for metal bands in Italy is difficult they commented, “It’s somehow a line that is more familiar abroad — mainly in the US and in Japan — than at home: maybe because listeners are more ‘inquisitive’ and willing to listen to new stuff!” Despite these differences in the reception of their music at home and abroad the band has been able to push forward and make a name for them. Their first European tour began that same year in June 2013. During their first tour they played shows all over Europe from Rome to Prague. “New Disorder is a live band, we love to be on the stage because we’re inside our world, and then we know how to express ourselves the best we can and communicate straight with the crowd,” the band expressed. It was after this tour that the band gained Proietti and Mancini, giving their music a slightly new sound. The new line up began the band’s second tour, and the first tour as their current line up in early 2014. Throughout the early months of the new year they played shows throughout Italy, shortly after announcing their new record deal, with a small indie label, Agoge Records and their next album, Straight To The Pain. Straight To the Pain was released in early 2015, and is currently available for European, Canadian, and US listeners. Though comparisons to the band’s prior albums to their latest is a bit hard to do with

the changes that have occurred in the time between releases, the band noted, “…we can remark a kind of ‘switch’ to a more metal attitude, but always casted in an alternative mindset.” On September 15 of this year, the band released a music video for their first single off Straight To The Pain entitled “A Senseless Tragedy (Bloodstreams).” The band worked with director Paul Sciò on the project. “It was great: we already got the idea of the plot and Paul succeeded in turning it into a ‘small movie’ with his personal attitude we already knew and chose again; more, the set was a peculiar one for our families and children were involved in the shooting as characters, and we all enjoyed having such an unusual experience.” So what is next for this up and coming international band? New Disorder gave us a sneak peak of what to expect for this upcoming year, “We’re already thinking about the next video and single track of Straight To The Pain; we’ve started working on new stuff as well, and it seems it would be quite different.” As well, they hope to, of course, continue touring in Rome, their hometown, as well as other places around Italy. “We’re setting a tour in Central Europe in Spring 2016 and there are many towns we would go,” the band commented. Stops in Wien, Bern and Dresden have already been arranged, but their bigger stops still in the works include Paris and London. As for American fans, you can expect to see more of New Disorder very soon. The band is currently gearing up for an eventual tour through the US which would be set for the end of 2016 or early 2017. Make sure to stay up to date with the latest announcements about their new music, tour dates, and much more on their Facebook page and Youtube channel.

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The Technicolors SHEDDING DISGUISE Words by Tori Pisco // Photos courtesy of 8123

A lot has happened since White Noise Zine caught up with The Technicolors early last spring, and vocalist and guitarist, Brennan Smiley, has kindly provided the updated scoop. After the full U.S. American Candy tour with The Maine, Knuckle Puck, and Real Friends, the band traveled overseas to accompany their 8123 buds on their Brazilian Candy Tour. Amidst their travels, Ultraviolet Disguise, a new EP from The Technicolors was released. Ultraviolet Disguise is the band’s debut release under management of their fellow Arizonian friends and collaborators at 8123. It had been a few years since their full length record, Listener, was released in 2012. During this lapse the band toured tirelessly and worked vigorously at home to cash in before heading back out on the road each time. The Technicolors has made itself known for sticking to rock-n-roll roots and sounds, said to bring their audience back to that sweet era rather than producing the punky poprock that is oversaturating the scene these days. “Going into it, we wanted to try new things to see what really resonated with us, and now coming out of it we have a little bit more clarity as to who we are, as people and as a band. Stylistically, the previous EP has served as a tool to help us find the moments that are real to us in a live setting, so now we feel like we can focus in on a specific sound.” The band has a new member as well. Smiley, bassist

Mike (Nico) Nikolette, and Troy Lowney on keys have welcomed Sean Silverman into the group officially after having him in the studio for Ultraviolet Disguise and on tour this year. With the help of the 8123 management team and family, The Technicolors have benefited from more resources and outlets for creating music, resulting in their busiest and most exposed year yet. They are more inspired than ever and eager to take on more. This fall, the band is out their third tour of the year in support of Lydia, another one

“We have a little bit more clarity as to who we are, as people, and as a band. Now we feel like we can focus on a specific sound.” of 8123’s. The Run Wild Tour hits all the major U.S. cities, and The Technicolors’ eagerness to keep working has them stoked to visit every single one of them. The band has been exceptional in staying in touch with fans by keeping a somewhat tour diary on their Facebook, and it’s been quite interesting. For what seemed like a period of pure bad luck, the band struggled with typical tour issues to a seemingly excessive extent. Their van and trailer consistently fell apart straight

through their first week manning the road with just themselves; no crew, manager, or merch person to help keep the show moving. A more atypical experience was having a band member shot at. “We were at a hotel in a bad area, and he went out at like 2 a.m. to get cigarettes. On his way out of the gas station he bumped into a guy with a bullet proof vest who moments later shot up the burger joint Nico was walking in front of. I guess he dove behind a bush to take cover or something. Crazy night.” On a positive note, Smiley has been very enthusiastic about the band’s on stage performances this go around. Personally, he’s dropped the use of in-ear monitors for the first time and says he feels more connected to the audience and his band than ever. “It’s amazing to be right there in the room with everyone. Your focus shifts from just trying to make sure you’re singing good to the way the room is resonating with what you are doing. It’s pretty incredible after having your ears plugged for three years.” The experience thus far has left Smiley feeling grateful, finding value in the chaos they’ve managed to work through and shedding new levels of meaning onto the songs they take the stage with each night. In terms of new music, being on the road hasn’t stopped the band from writing. Smiley describes their newer, unreleased work as more “focused,” taking

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on a darker and heavier feel It’s what we live for.” Heading with a few characteristics of into their second year on the the predecessor, Ultraviolet radar, the band’s main focus is Disguise. to do whatever it takes to keep going. With their unique and Smiley was proud to deem this year as one that pure rock and roll sound and a has been “off the rails” (and he year of solid touring experience totally digs how cheesy that backed by the beloved 8123 team, the upcoming year seems sounds). “But really it’s felt truly bright for The Technicolors. like we’re just trying to hold it together in the midst of all this chaos. The best kind of chaos. http://whitenoisezine.com

FACE VALUE FACING REALITY Words by Kasey Seifried // Photos courtesy of Carry the 4

Face Value, pop punk’s new kids on the block, released their debut EP Growing Up Young at the beginning of the summer, and is getting stellar reviews from listeners. Hailing from Maryland, lead singer Alex Myers, drummer Jeremiah Douglas, guitarist Parker Ross and bassist Grayson Ross are working hard to make it in the pop punk world. While the guys seem to be quite serious about music making, it’s quite apparent that they like to throw some fun in the mix, especially while writing and practicing in Myers’ cold, spider-filled basement with a mini-heater. The recording process behind Growing Up Young seems nothing short of interesting as the guys explained, “we saved what tiny amount of moolah we could and decided to record it in the dead of winter. We journeyed down to the horrifying little town of Waldorf, Maryland, and we lived there for ten straight days in January, and recorded music for hours upon hours a day. It really was the best version of a sleep-away summer camp a musician could ask for.” Luckily, the guys made it out of that creepy town alive and the EP dropped on June 14, 2015 and they are nothing but happy for the sound to hit fans speakers. “It’s a small glimpse of who we are and our dysfunctional ways. It’s all about the personal experiences we have faced as well as many other teens and young adults. The world forces us to grow up young and you gotta be strong because life is tough.” The band had their first tour back in June with Something More, traveling 3,000 miles in

nine days, hitting Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina, and even went as far as sleeping at Walmart two out of the nine nights. Most people would find this unappealing, but Face Value? Sign them up. “If we got a chance to pick a band in the scene to tour with we would definitely want one we not only enjoy but could really learn from as well. One band we’d really love to tour with at the moment would probably be The Wonder Years. Aside from the fact that they’re amazing

“We recorded music for hours upon a day. It was really the best version of a sleep-away summer camp that a music could ask for.” musicians who play great music and kill it live I feel like we could learn a lot from them.” Keep your eyes peeled for new music and maybe a little touring from Face Value despite their busy schedules with school, work and texting their girlfriends during band practice. “It’s a miracle we get shit done at all but, we like a challenge and you need friction to create fire. We will be playing shows around the Baltimore, Maryland area for sure! We can’t wait to pump out some more music probably by the same time next year. Go fucking listen to it!”

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CASSANDRA SUN WHEREVER THE MUSIC TAKES US Words by Nicole Cortese // Photos courtesy of Cassandra Sun

Cassandra Sun might not be a household wanted some sort of continuity throughout the name…yet, but with dreams to one day work with whole thing. We have an opening track, “Storm Radiohead, or have the ability to sell out a theater Clouds,” and an outro track, “Clear Skies,” that on a headlining tour, they have already started help pull everything together and create a whole making headway in the scene. sound.” What started out as an eclectic group According to Delgado, he hopes the of individuals from diverse backgrounds has overall concept of telling a continuous story will become the rock four-piece known as Cassandra add to the songs and the listener’s experience. Sun with members Matthew Delgado (vocals), “I chose the names for those tracks and Vlad Tipicidi (guitar), Joe Marlin (bass) and actually came up with the idea of adding in “Clear Landon Baldwin (drums). Skies” because I wanted to think of our EP as this “I kept putting ads out online and had storm that starts with a rumble, comes crashing actually given up after getting back to school through and finally ends in something optimistic in the fall, but one day I got a response from but soft - just like a huge storm or hurricane.” Vlad,” said Delgado. “After a few rehearsals and Delgado, a self-proclaimed fan-girl of completing early versions of ‘Hot and Heavy’ and Radiohead, expressed his personal inspiration ‘Painkillers,’ Joe answered our ad for the bassist behind hopefully having the opportunity to work position. Landon actually came on board after with the band. a month of practicing with “I studied Pop Music Joe.” Culture at Rider University “I STUDIED POP MUSIC and one of the things I As any up-andcoming band will tell you, is that there are CULTURE AND ONE OF realized one way to get people to very few bands that do THE THINGS I REALIZED something really unique,” recognize your talent is to cover popular songs Delgado. “Working with IS THAT THERE ARE said and artists — regardless Radiohead would probably VERY FEW BANDS THAT show us something that we of genre. Currently, Cassandra Sun has would have never realized DO SOMETHING REALLY covered artists such as before and it would be really UNIQUE” Coldplay and One Republic, cool to pick their brains but Vlad suggested the about their approach and idea of covering more just talk to them.” contemporary artists for their future sets. With the release of the new album, the “The most interesting one is Sia’s band is always trying to gain a larger audience ‘Chandelier’ since my voice can get pretty high,” and share their music with current and future said Delgado. “We’re actually working on covers fans. of Fall Out Boy and The Killers. I think it helps us “Vlad has a pretty good following on because we get to use them as palette cleansers Instagram, so he’s helped get our music to during practice and performances, plus we end people across the globe,” said Delgado. “Our up getting excited about performing them during goal is to pretty much keep using Facebook, practice, which adds to the performance.” Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram to have people On October 1, Cassandra Sun released listen to us and have our shows create our their new EP Where I Begin, and although there following. For now I think we just need to keep up are many similarities to previously released what we’re doing and just remind ourselves that it singles such as ‘Painkillers’ and ‘Will This Fate,’ takes time for most bands to be recognized by a they took a different approach when recording large amount of people.” these new tracks. In order to help create a local and global “We wanted to choose songs that would following, the band has created a disciplined and fit well together. Even though it’s just an EP, we strong work ethic in addition to the social media 18 http://whitenoisezine.com

push by constantly hustling and grinding it out in order to make new music. They hope to play one of the smaller stages at Warped Tour next summer. “I went [to Warped Tour] and the amount of support that bands get from the fans and the atmosphere was pretty insane,” Delgado said. The band covers a wide range of unique sound and they hope to make music that not only sounds good to them, but music that people will want to listen to. They love hearing feedback from fans, and they encourage everyone to never

be afraid to approach them at shows or connect with them on social media. “Wherever the music takes us is where we’ll go,” said Delgado. “We’ve made mellow singles, but a majority of our stuff was harder and more ‘rocky-er’ so we went with that instead of having some image of what we wanted. If we start making more ‘pop’ sounding stuff in there months, we won’t fight it because that’s just where we’re headed as a band.”

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Ocean Grid The Making of a Monster Words by Tori Pisco // Photos courtesy of The Catalyst Publicity Group

all the genres people like to make up and stamp on bands today, it’s not often that you see ‘metal, posthardcore,’ and ‘rock and roll’ listed together, but in the case of Ocean Grid, that is precisely the sound you’ll experience. Written from a collective sense of styles influenced by a range of musical interests from metal, to hip hop and jazz, Ocean Grid seeks to produce songs that appeal to heavier metal tastes in combination with lighter choruses that offer pop riffs and memorable lyrics to resonate with the masses. As their vocalist, Andrew Isler, puts it, “We consider what we like as a group. What do we find the catchiest, bounciest, and most driven? You can show someone else and they listen because it’s catchy enough. The song ends before you’re even ready for it to end. It goes so fast you can’t help but go to the next one because you need more.” These are songs that are heavy and brutal enough to earn the ears of metal and post-hardcore fans, but also ones your parents can appreciate as being catchy and lyrical. Isler emits lyrical content that reads like poetry when you’re viewing from a screen rather than listening through your speakers. In this fashion, Ocean Grid carries a message across their work and is using their music as a platform to target issues loudly heard throughout the scene in the past few years, such as mental health, bullying, and basically downright lacks of human decency. Isler speaks knowledgeably, with

an undeniably genuine sense of passion, about his mission to build Ocean Grid with a higher purpose since day one. In previous projects, Isler struggled to find the freedom and voice to push out messages he wished to address while being tucked behind his bass. Being a vocalist has now given him more control and the opportunity to stand up against the ‘monsters’ inside of himself and others. In October, the band released The Influence of Monsters, an EP targeted towards supporting the issues and struggles that hold people back. Known by many names like demons, issues, addictions, problems, they call them “monsters.” “There’s more to music, especially heavy music with breakdowns, low tuning, and screaming. There’s plenty that is hateful. It has it’s place, where people need outlets instead of causing violence and they use music as a punching bag. There’s room for that hateful music. But why can’t you have a heavy sound that people can get into without the explicitness? Where they don’t need to be afraid of your music.” The members of Ocean Grid have their fair share of monsters inside of them to draw from. Isler, himself, has been told by his mother that even as a young child she saw the struggle inside of him. One minute being happy, and the next being completely washed over by an unexplainable sadness. The band sticks the message that they are here to

help and not abandon, place blame, ridicule, or criticize, but to promote the betterment of mankind and humanity through their music and the platform they’ve been given. “There should be another outlet that won’t physically harm you with long term damage. Music resonates with all of the masses- age, ethnicity, sex — even if it’s heavy, people will sing along, they will claim it as their own, like a wedding song. People have such a strong bond with music, so what better way to help than by giving them something to enjoy everyday with that positivity?” And there are other bands focusing their efforts on similar causes. Isler gave a shout out to We Came As Romans as one band they commend for carrying a positive message with them. Sorority Noise is another band, coming from an adjacent scene, who speaks loudly on these topics. Isler is fully open to working in conjunction with other bands, and organizations mentioned, such as TWLOHA, to put ideas and projects together as a team building initiative. “This isn’t a universal thing one band can copyright or claim as your own. This is a community idea that there is hate, there is love, there’s two sides of the fence. You can have a little bit of both in you, that’s possible, it’s a humanistic idea.... Change has to come in the masses. I welcome anyone that does it and fully support anyone who has been doing it for years. You coexist, make it work. It’s not a competition.”

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Outside of writing meaningful music, Ocean Grid is working on building a non-profit organization of their own. Currently underwraps and unannounced officially, The Monster’s Project seeks to become an organization that the band would be inspired by themselves and to create something that other people are eager to become a part of. They aim to take the message from their music and turn it into a physical support effort, getting to the root of these issues and combatting these struggles in ways still undefined. In terms of gaining exposure, Ocean Grid hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, and hasn’t taken their touring efforts far from there just yet. Their six-piece group is comprised

of veterans from a variety of projects. Their drummer, for example, having been with Black Veil Brides at one point in his career. Although Ocean Grid is just over two years together, their wealth of business and touring knowledge is enough to tell them not to hit the road until the time is right. Fortunately, after shooting a music video last spring, the band was connected with industry friends of friends at a label successfully known to have worked with notable bands such as PVRIS and State Champs on their come up. While there has been no commitment made by either party, the band has confidence in a two year plan set forth and agreed upon to take Ocean Grid beyond the DIY level, whether it be with that label or any

others they connect with along the way. Currently, there is talk of booking a southern run to the warmer areas with friends in a local band, but no plans have been set and there is no foreseeable official tour for The Influence of Monsters just yet. “Our goal right now is to build on our social network community and interactions with people. We want comments on Youtube, messages on Facebook and Twitter. [For people to] like what they like so we can give that content and do more of that. Every band is different. We want to find our niche and what people want to see and bring it more. If it’s out there, we like it, they like it- we like likeminded people so it’s about community as a whole and the OG family.”

VARIANTS MAKING IT BIG IN THE BIG EASY Words by Tori Pisco // Photos courtesy of The Catalyst Publicity Goup

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“At

October, but hometown fans The Concept of Color, Variants the moment, I can’t have the opportunity to scoop a has spent a good amount of recall a New time on road, most recently with copy at the release show earlier Orleans rock band that’s ‘made in the month at the New Orleans friends in ForeverandNever, an it.’ Perhaps we can change House of Blues. alt-rock band from Nashville, that.” For audiences that have Tennessee. Off the road, the Coming out of New seen Variants before, you might band spends most of their time Orleans, a city undoubtedly notice a change in presence at home working to personally cherished for its rich musical this time around. Recently, the support their DIY career, writing heritage, is actually less band has parted ways with motivating than you might member, Nathan Kleindorf, assume. According to Variants, who wrote a majority of the first a melodic rock group bred from full length record and played a the area, some cool moves great role in recording the new have been made for local punk EP. Since Nathan’s departure, bands and metal bands alike, two of the four remaining but it would be nice if there were members, Edward Pina and more accessible opportunities Lance Villafarra, have taken for the underground community. on the main writing roles in Since the city is more known the band. You might notice the and practicing together, or, for its jazz and funk culture, shift in sound and songwriting like many of us... watching independent rock bands from The Office. That’s just good while listening back through The New Orleans face the same Concept of Color in comparison business research, right? hardships as any other despite This August, Variants to tracks featured on the the breadth of resources one upcoming EP. announced a new EP release. might expect to have at reach. Variants teamed up Commonwealth drops in late Following their 2014 full length, 26 http://whitenoisezine.com

"I CAN'T RECALL A NEW ORLEANS ROCK BAND THAT'S MADE IT"

with Jay Maas at Gateway Studios up north to produce Commonwealth. Maas has notably worked alongside bands such as State Champs, Title Fight, and his own band, Defeater. “Jay knows how to achieve good tones, that’s for sure. Commonwealth is undoubtedly more tonally accurate and captivating than The Concept of Color, which we are all very happy about.” the band said in regard to their experience in the studio with Maas. The EP single, “Bitter,” features a more balanced sound than any other Variants work to date, with a pop-rock flare and smooth instrumentals to boast. The band used a ton of new gear to amp up their sound in recording this time around. Recording acoustic bells was a fun highlight of the process,

being something Variants hadn’t done before. On guitar, they experimented with the highly controversial Evertune bridge, a technology used to help maintain consistency and tuning perfection throughout tracking. They brought in Black Market cabs, a first time use for the group, and paired them with classic Fender equipment, such as a beloved Telecaster and a ‘69 Bassman head. On stage, the plan is to continue on as a four piece now that Kleindorf has left the group. “We were a five piece when our full length came out, and most of it is either too complicated to play as a four piece, or unfitting of our newer sound,” the band said, which is why their sets now consist of mostly new music, including songs that haven’t been brought into the

studio for recording yet. They’re still pulling older songs from the roots, but you can expect to hear a lot of Commonwealth and those newer tracks if you catch Variants on their next run. Currently in the works is a west coast tour with Keeper, their alternative/punk friends from Oklahoma City. The band has yet to head west in their career and is most eager to hit Los Angeles for the first time on that run. Tentative plans to record again in early 2016 have been discussed, but their next recording venture has yet to be settled. Many new songs have been written post Commonwealth, some of which you’ll hear on their next tour, and the band is confident that it is some of the best Variants music ever written.

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SOULIDIUM

Words by Danielle Gittleman // Photos courtesy of Soulidium

Gaining

so much success so early in a band’s career is often their downfall. Some gain that “rockstar” attitude and fights ensue within the band, only to end their career faster than it started. For metal rockers Soulidium, their early success only helped them further their career. Soulidium released their debut album, Children of Chaos in 2007 and they took off from there. The album was a hit instantly and the band began to tour with some big names in the music scene such as Alice In Chains and Breaking Benjamin. One of their songs from Children of Chaos, “Trapped” was featured on the soundtrack for one of the hit movies in the Saw series, Saw IV. A few years later, the band found themselves becoming overwhelmed with all of the success and decided to take a break from things and take a few years hiatus. “When you decide you want to be in the music industry sometimes you get caught up in the word ‘rockstar’ or the lifestyle,” said frontman Michael McKnight. “And then it gets thrown on you and you finally get what you want your whole life and finding that it was not all that you envisioned. Sometimes getting that much success that quickly can be a doubleedged sword. It can cause people’s personalities to change, it can cause [people to] get too focused on the business and the meetings and

the pressure — those are some of the things that help break bands down and help them lose touch. It’s one of the reasons we took a hiatus. I really needed personally to get back to where I was when we first got into it.” According to McKnight, taking the hiatus was the best option for himself, and for the band. The few years off really gave McKnight a fresh perspective on things and write and create the best music that he possibly could. McKnight is looking to write music that impacts fans, music that has a lot of meaning to it. Writing music at his own pace really gave Awaken that meaningful sound. “Music is the part of the soundtrack of your life. Every breakup you’ve had, and extreme in your life there’s that song that kind of sums up that moment. That’s really what we’re after, is becoming the soundtrack of people’s lives and I think that Awaken is really going to pull that off,” said McKnight. Awaken was finally released to awaiting fans on October 30, and featured a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell.” McKnight notes that the band really wanted to test themselves this time around and had never done a cover before. Being a huge Pink Floyd fan, McKnight figured he would give it a shot this time around. McKnight was also excited to announce the collaboration with Sevendusts’ Lajon

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Witherspoon on “Fly To The Sun.” “Working with Lajon on the album was an amazing experience,” said McKnight. “We went into the studio with the producer and it was a magical moment. Everything was created on the spot. What you hear on the recording was the magical moment. We had fun doing it and I think that’s the key to making new music is to have fun and enjoy it. I love collaboration. It brings new and fresh things to the table. You work with other people and they emit and energy and your energy mixes with their energy and that’s when magic happens, when things happen.” During their hiatus the band also founded their own Soulidium Records imprint, which Awaken was released through. Since the music industry is constantly changing, McKnight wanted to insure that music isn’t going to lose its message. “Sometimes a big organization can lose touch with why they started doing what they’re doing to begin with,” said McKnight. “We’re small enough to keep in touch with our fans and we want to keep delivering music not just from us but from other artists that we’re going to be introducing over time over here.” McKnight feels that releasing music through Soulidium’s imprint gives himself and other artists time to really songwrite and produce at their own pace. “When you feel it in your heart and you feel that creativity exploding you can really hear that,” said McKnight. “I’m more about recording when it feels right and it translates that way onto the recording

and people can really spot something that’s genuine or not. I think it really contributes to how it feels. It’s definitely the backbone on the views of how music should be made.” Being away from touring and their fans for so long, Soulidium are ready to get back out there and play music for their fans. The band has so much going for them with fans waiting impatiently for the release of their sophomore album. McKnight want to give fans something that they’ll remember when it comes to touring and performing the songs live. “We want to give the fans something that when they leave the shows they’re saying, ‘I can’t wait til they come back that was fucking awesome,’” said McKnight. “You want to have that impact and it takes a lot of thought and impact to put that together. I’m a big believer in the theatrical and entertainment level of everything. You want to take people on a journey. When people go to a show they want to escape from everyday life and that’s your job to take them on that journey.” McKnight assured that that’s exactly what fans can expect and the band is ready to kick ass. They’ve been working so hard for years and now the band is ready to get back out there, play some shows and meet their devoted fans that have been waiting so long for their return. “We may have been gone for a while but while we were, we honed in on our talent and energy and we’re going to make it up to them in one hell of a way that they’ll never forget.”

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A L

SHIP CAPTAIN CREW

The Ocean Floor

U Words by Layne Edwards

M R E V

We’ve had our eyes on the fall horizon for new music from the boys of Ship Captain Crew, and they have most certainly delivered. The five piece Pop-Punk band from Chicago released their new EP, The Ocean Floor, October 9, kicking off the fall with fresh melodies that have listeners off their feet. From day one Ship Captain Crew has set off to redefine the sound of pop punk with influences such as Fall Out Boy and Blink-182, neither of which are present in The Ocean Floor. Overall, the EP will throw you back with undertones of the early days of Mayday Parade’s, A Lesson In Romantics, and even recent vocal stylings similar to those of Fireworks and The Dangerous Summer. They have taken pop punk back to its origins with hopeful tracks such as, “Honesty,” “Hollows,” and “Dear Mara, Sincerely Sarah.” You can hear the progression and hard work thrown into this EP and it is truly a step up from their previous EP, House of Mercury. With lyrics worthy of being opaquely photoshopped over an ocean sunset and shouted with vigor as sweat pours down your face in the pit. They still have a long way to go before being thrown in the same esteem as the above mentioned pop punk icons. But this is a solid first step to creating a truly memorable album and is definitely worth the listen if anything for the opportunity to square up with a tween in the mall and throw out the, “Yeah but have you heard The Ocean Floor?” Trust me, give it a few years, you’ll probably win that one.

I E

CHECK OUT:

“Honesty” “Hallows” “Dear Mara, Sincerely Sarah”

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A L

SEAWAY

Colour Blind

U Words by Tori Pisco

M R E V I E

If you like the kind of music Seaway puts out, you won’t hate this record. Perhaps this album was named Colour Blind because it’s arguably a black and white version of Skip School, Start Fights, a notorious record by Hit The Lights. Not only musically, but right down to the title font and artwork featured on the cover. The similarities are too obvious to ignore, but hey, if you loved Hit The Lights and have been as sad as I since seeing their disappointing live shows in the past few years, Seaway may be the cure. The overall sound of the record is crisp, but almost too much. With no essence of the room captured in the recording process, the triggered snare left no space to give the tracks the fresh breath that should wrap around the listeners. The notably coolest riffs are drowned by too much gain and easily missed in the process of listening. That being said, the songs are as catchy as any other in the genre. The album opens with that +41/Hit The Lights sound, preaching “everything is cool man” at the end of each chorus. In the second track, it’s hard not to feel like “you got me tired and tied up” is something they stole from my 2006 AIM away message. If you’re looking for quotable young adult struggling through life and love woes lyrics, this is album might be your new jam. Throughout the record, on tracks like “Trick” and “Airhead” are some jazzy, methodic chord progressions that keep the energetic vibe grooving and lend evidence to the fact that Seaway is, in fact, made up of talented and creative musicians. It’s the punchy percussion and lack of pure guitar and bass tone that distract from the quality elements present within the songwriting. Seaway has been more known for their quirky and entertaining music videos than for the tunes themselves, and this album will complement that success with plenty of room for creative interpretation and fun visual content. The truth about this record is that it’s not bad for what it is, it’s just already been done.

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A L

STATE CHAMPS

Around the World and Back

U Words by Nicole Cortese

M R E V I E W

State Champs have been very busy since the release of their debut album, The Finer Things back in 2013. The pop-punk five-piece has found time to not only accompany bands like All Time Low and The Wonder Years on the road, they have also found time to record and release their sophomore LP, Around the World and Back on Pure Noise Records. This album capitalizes on the experiences of love, loss, touring and friendships. Derek DiScanio, Tyler Szalkowski Ryan Scott Graham, Tony Diaz, and Evan Ambrosio display a relatable sense of maturity and growth both musically and lyrically. The first singles release from the album, “Secrets” and “All You Are Is History,” have the potential to be iconic break up anthems. “Secrets” tells the tale of a scorned lover that is ready and willing to expose their partner for all of the bad things they’ve done, but they find it better to just walk away. The lyrics like, “Too many times I told myself to hold on, But it’s too late for me, now I’m as good as gone,” and “I dropped my forgiveness, it’s lying face down on the floor,” depict the harsh realities of a failed relationship. “All You Are Is History” has lyrics like “Full of yourself when you’re feeling down, and that’s all that matters to you” which seems to tell the story of a person fed up with their self-absorbed partner who claims they’re helping improve the life of their lover, when really it just is a toxic, onesided relationship. The title track, “Around the World and Back,” features Ansley Newman of Jules Vera and stands out as the only ballad on the album. Between Ansley and Derek’s harmonies which perfectly compliment each other and the fact that it is one of the most beautifully poetic and melodic songs on the album, it tells a story about the unpredictability of falling in love and actually sticking it out and giving it the chance to turn into something real. If you’ve ever experienced heartache or the feeling of uncertainty that comes with growing up, definitely take a listen to Around the World and Back. This album is also filled with anthems of moving on and of course, in true pop-punk fashion, “hating this town.”

CHECK OUT:

“Perfect Score” “Breaking Ground”

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