When four creative forces, well versed in music, painting, film, and graphic design, joined together for a band rehearsal in a Brooklyn bedroom almost ten years ago Stellastarr* was born. In 2003, Stellastarr* embarked on their first U.S. tour in support of their highly acclaimed self-titled first album, and performed as headliners as well as opening for, and by the request of, The Red Hot chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction.
At the end of a long and demanding tour, the band, like many after their first real taste of touring, needed to regroup. A year later, they returned to the studio with renewed inspiration, cohesion, and a common mindset to create a great album. And amidst a music business that too often focuses merely on an album’s single, Stellastarr* succeeded in creating a superior album with Harmonies For The Haunted. With piercing guitar riffs, beautiful keyboards, upbeat, crisp percussions, and Shawn Christensen’s massive vocals, Stellastarr* is beginning to find it’s stride as an enormously talented band with limitless potential.
www.stellastarr.com
www.myspace.com/stellastarr
Ra Ra Riot, who formed in January 2006, quickly caught the ear of the industry and the tastemakers like NME after their many stellar performances at the 2006 CMJ Music Marathon. The NME honored them as one of the Top 5 bands that played the festival. They hit the road playing several NYC gigs in the months leading up to the recording of their self-titled debut EP while the buzz continued to build. Ra Ra Riot became one of the break-out bands at this year's SXSW Festival and recently returned from a triumphant trip to the UK where they played a string of highly successful shows. Word on their debut EP is equally as strong as that of their live show:
"The six college aged kids create an enormous, hefty sound complete with a cello and violin, not unlike the Arcade Fire or the Olivia Tremor. Ra Ra Riot has enormous potential and considering the band is only a year old, the actualization is inevitable." –VH1.com 'Seven Bands From SXSW That Will Matter'
"Ra Ra Riot is one of the best young bands we've heard in a really long time" – Spin.com
The young six-piece kicked off their summer playing a packed show at NYC's South Street Seaport before heading to the UK for dates including the Latitude Festival, Guilfest, London Lovebox and Indian Summer. Ra Ra Riot then hit the road with Mason Proper and follow that up with tours alongside Tokyo Police Club and The Editors.
www.rarariot.com
www.myspace.com/rarariot
In 2004, Michael Simone, Greg Tuohey, Patrick Lavin, Johnny Turpin, and Jochen Rueckert formed Seems So Bright and immediately began turning heads with their first self-released album titled “Resistance”. Capitalizing on the momentum following its release, Seems So Bright immersed themselves in the studio again and created a 10 song LP titled “Blinds Down”, which the band refers to as “a culmination of their own identity”. Michael Simone’s insightful lyrics and melodic vocals add to the rocking guitar driven tunes and electronic elements masterfully incorporated throughout their music. This sonic combination often earns Seems So Bright comparisons to The Stills, Radiohead, and U2. But regardless of the comparisons, Seems So Bright is without a question its own band with its own sound. And for a band that has only been together for three years, it is scary to think of how far they can take their already tight and harmonious sound..
www.seemssobright.com
www.myspace.com/seemssobright
