Saturday, December 22, 2012

Interview: State Champs

>>  State Champs is a solid pop-punk band that's out making a name for themselves on the road.  They're currently finishing a tour with Hit The Lights, A Loss For Words, and With The Punches, and they're enjoying every minute of it.  I spoke with Derek after the band's show at Revolution (formerly Ollie's Point) about touring, Glamour Kills, writing, skateboards, and more.


Please state your name and role in the band.
I'm Derek and I sing in State Champs.

How has this tour with Hit The Lights been so far?
This tour has been sweet.  Probably one of the best tours we've been on just because Hit The Lights is one of the bands I grew up listening to and I can look up to in a sense because they've been around for that long but are still relevant enough to make this tour sweet. It's not even a let-down being the first band on the package because there's other bands we can also look up to and be friends with and overall it's just been an awesome time.

You've been touring a lot recently.
Yeah. We were busy over the summer with a couple of full US tours and it was overwhelming at first just because we've never been anywhere, like me personally, I'd never been anywhere outside of the New England area.  So being able to travel has been awesome.  Getting to the West coast for the first time was sweet, can't wait to go back already.  We've been getting used to it in a sense but we actually have some time off coming up which we can look forward to and then probably be ready to head right back out once we get home anyway.  It's kind of a big cycle.

Before that time off, you'll be involved with the Glamour Kills holiday shows, right?
We just got done with the Glamour Kills Holiday Festival in Boston yesterday [12/14/12] which was at the House of Blues and it was insane.  The stage alone was probably bigger than any venue we've played which was crazy when we first walked in. It was probably one if the biggest shows we've played and we were very excited to be a part of that. Tomorrow [12/15] is the holiday festival in Poughkeepsie with different headlining bands and our same tour package is involved, and a lot of different opening bands too so we're excited to see what round two will bring. Should be good.

So you have a lot to look forward to. Tell us a little about the 'Overslept' EP you put out before all of the touring.
Back in September we put that out.  It's our first release on Pure Noise Records, who we signed to last year. The response on it has been awesome so far, and we're still kind of touring off of that release which is good.  Seeing kids knowing the words and singing along more each time is cool.  Now we're merging over to getting ready to write and record our full length which we're going to be doing in the spring of next year. Like I said, we have some time off in January and February to get the writing process done for that and then really get to work on it in the new year, so we're really excited for that.

How has being signed with Pure Noise helped you guys?
It's been great. When we signed to Pure Noise, we said this was just the beginning of everything.  Most people think that when you sign to a record label it's the end of everything and that's where you've made it.  We took it as the start. Jake who owns Pure Noise is basically a one man show and he's the man. He's a normal guy who knows the deal and knows what's up and is basically like a dad to us in a sense and takes care of us. It's helped us to have that name behind us as well, just for backing and having kids who know about the label and want to check out more bands on it. It's great to have that backing but ultimately we're trying to prove ourselves with our music as well.  But overall it's been awesome.

In addition to touring and getting ready to write, you guys also just put out some skateboarding stuff.
Yes we did. A couple of days ago, we released a collaborative skateboard with a company called Real Talk.  They've done a few collaborative boards with some heavier bands, I think we're the first pop-punk band to do a board with them which is cool. A lot of us in the band skateboard on our free time anyway so we were stoked to find out we could do something like that. We haven't seen them yet, and I'm excited to see them when we get the chance.  The internet response on it seemed cool and we're really stoked on it.

It's a very cool and different idea.
Yeah, it's different. We've done some kinds of miscellaneous merch items before but this is definitely the coolest so far.

Other than touring and writing, is there anything else you'd like to highlight?
We've been busy, busy on the road non-stop and focusing on covering new ground and playing to new people which has been so cool these past 5 months or so.  We're focusing on playing to new people and enjoying what we're doing with writing new music and ultimately keeping the cycle going- writing more and playing more music. We'll see where it goes from here, but we're just having fun.

Is there anything else you'd like to say to the fans?
Everyone that supported us from the start is what keeps the fire going so that's what's cool for us.  Ultimately we're just having fun so anyone that hasn't seen us, come out to a show. Come hang and say what's up, we're all pretty normal people who like to hang out and play music. So hopefully we'll see y'all soon.  Thanks.




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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Suppy Nation Tour feat. The Story So Far + Man Overboard

>>  The Story So Far and Man Overboard will be co-headlining The Suppy Nation Tour in the spring.  This nationwide tour begins on March 8th in Dallas with support from Tonight Alive, Citizen and The American Scene. The tour has a slew of sponsors, including Working Group Management, Good Fight Entertainment, Alternative Press, Pure Noise Records, Rise Records, Fearless Records, Lost Tape Collective, and Born & Bred. Premium ticket packages go on sale Dec. 18th at noon through Sound Rink.  Public on-sale is Jan. 2nd at 10AM local time.



All In Merchandise Presents:  
The Suppy Nation Tour dates:
March 8th – Dallas, TX – Trees *
March 9th – San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live *
March 10th – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s *
March 12th – Mesa, AZ – The Nile *
March 14th – San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Brew
March 15th – San Diego, CA – Epicentre
March 16th – Pomona, CA – The Glasshouse
March 17th – Oakland, CA – Oakland Metro
March 19th – Portland, OR – Branx
March 20th – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
March 22nd – Salt Lake City, UT – Club Sound
March 23rd – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
March 24th – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theatre
March 26th – St. Louis, MO – Firebird
March 27th – Nashville, TN – Rocketown
March 28th – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
March 29th – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
March 30th – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Talent Farm
April 1st – Jacksonville, FL – Brewster’s Roc Bar
April 2nd – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern
April 3rd – Virginia Beach, VA – Shakas
April 5th – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
April 6th – Patchogue, NY – 89 North (Mixtape Festival)
April 7th – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
April 8th – Boston, MA – The Sinclair
April 9th – Montreal, QC – La Sala Rosa
April 10th – Toronto, ON – Annex Wreckroom
April 11th – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
April 12th – Chicago, IL – Reggies Rock Club
April 13th – Toledo, OH – Headliner’s (Jamboree Festival)
*Tonight Alive will not be playing these dates


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Friday, December 14, 2012

Interview: Chevonne

>> Do you remember seeing a passionate girl with hair as big as her personality on this season of The Voice?  Well, that's Chevonne.  She's an artist that is hard to miss, and harder to forget.  While she didn't make it to the final rounds of The Voice, Chevonne's career is far from over. She's working on a debut album and has started a Kickstarter campaign to help fund it.  I spoke with her about her time on The Voice, her dedication to making music she loves, and just how important the support from fans really is.


>> UPDATE:  It's official, Chevonne has met her Kickstarter goal! This means that, through support from the fans, Chevonne will be able to go ahead and record her debut album.  According to the following statement, Chevonne couldn't be more excited to make this happen:
"the record's going to be straight-up fun, rock meets soul under a glittery pop umbrella. the lyrics will be tongue-in-cheek and catchy but never lacking in substance and universality.  i'll play with my vocals and delight your ears with all kinds of new and different sounds. (aaaand just MAYBE i'll break your hearts with a big ol' power ballad too.) oh, and it'll be written top to bottom by myself and my trusted co-writer/producer buds in Brooklyn!!
the album itself will be dressed to the nines, filled with colorful, engaging, and dramatic art and photos!  i LOVE playing with fashion and elevating my look to something completely original and forward-thinking.  but above all, like i said, it'll be FUN.  it's a celebration of youth, of survival, of LOVING yourself and letting loose!" (source)
>> Stay tuned for more information.  Congrats, Chevonne!

Chevonne by Elijah A. Bland (Andrew_Avasin)) on 500px.com
Chevonne by Elijah A. Bland


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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Tour Dates: Pierce The Veil with Memphis May Fire, Letlive, Issues

>>  Pierce The Veil will be heading out on the Street Youth Rising Tour with Memphis May Fire, letlive, and Issues in the spring.  The full list of dates can be seen below.


Tour Dates:
Mar 14 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
Mar 15 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
Mar 16 - El Paso, TX @ Tricky Falls
Mar 17 - Lubbock, TX @ Jakes Sports Cafe
Mar 20 - Pensacola, FL @ American Legion Post 33
Mar 21 - Jacksonville, FL @ Roc bar
Mar 22 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater
Mar 23 - Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
Mar 24 - Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights
Mar 26 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
Mar 28 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
Mar 29 - Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
Mar 30 - Palatine, IL @ Durty Nellie's
Mar 31 - Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's
Apr 3 - Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory
Apr 4 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

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Monday, December 10, 2012

An Acoustic obSession with NGHBRS

>> NGHBRS is a band that can't be defined.  Their music can be considered indie, alternative and the like, but those labels don't do it justice.  The band specializes in taking a song and reworking it, creating as many versions of the song as they please, and having each version end up even better than the last.  It should come as no surprise that NGHBRS has acoustic versions of some of their songs as well.  
>> Last Thursday, December 6th, Ian and Eric performed an acoustic version of the song "Animals" in the Van Halen Room at the New York Academy of Music (near Ollie's Point) in Amityville, NY.  



NGHBRS's Acoustic obSession
"Animals," live from the Van Halen Room



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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

2013 Tour Dates: The Wonder Years with Fireworks, Hostage Calm, Misser

>> The Wonder Years will be going on a 2013 spring tour with Fireworks, Hostage Calm, and Misser.  Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 7th at 3 PM EST.  The full list of dates can be seen below.

Dates:
3/8/13 - The Stony Pony - Asbury, Park, NJ
3/9/13 - The Met Cafe - Pawtucket, RI
3/10/13 - Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY
3/12/13 - The Basement - Columbus, OH
3/13/13 - The Irving Theater - Indianapolis, IN
3/14/13 - The Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI
3/15/13 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI
3/16/13 - Fitz’ Spare Keys -  Elmhurt, IL
3/18/13 - The Aquarium - Fargo, ND
3/19/13 - Sokol Underground - Omaha, NE
3/20/13 - Firebird - St. Louis, MO
3/21/13 - Downtown Music Hall - Little Rock, AR
3/22/13 - Zydeco - Birmingham, AL
3/23/13 - Roc Bar - Jacksonville, FL
3/25/13 - The Soapbox Laundrolounge - Wilmington, NC
3/26/13 - Kingdom - Richmond, VA
3/27/13 - Empire - West Springfield, VA
3/29/13 - Harmony Grange - Wilmington, DE



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