Harper Blynn is comprised of a half-Jewish state champion baseball player from Chicago named Pete Harper, a curly-haired choir boy from Philadelphia called J.Blynn, a first-generation Indian man from Long Island named Sarab Singh and a tall Dutchman by the name of Whynot - yes, that is his name.
J.Blynn and Sarab started making music in middle school. Pete joined up when he met J.Blynn on his first day in college. J.Blynn, Pete and Sarab moved to New York City in 2006. At first, the three lived in a loft on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, made up of four cubicle-like bedrooms with walls that only went halfway up to the ceiling. After a year of not liking this at all, Pete and J.Blynn moved to a tiny box in the East Village and began touring the US regularly in a Toyota Corolla (soon dubbed "the Jackal"), and Sarab moved home to Philadelphia to live with his parents.
While Pete and J.Blynn were on tour in the UK, taking trains and hitchiking across the countryside with two acoustic guitars, they received word from their friends that their tiny apartment had become infested with rats. Upon returning and moving back out to Brooklyn, the band started playing every week on the lower east side of Manhattan and quickly generated a loyal fanbase on the strength of their live show. Sarab made his triumphant return to New York, the three met Whynot, and thus, Harper Blynn was born. Out of the buzz generated in New York City, the band hit the road independently and began touring all over the US.
All of Harper Blynn's four band members sing, bringing a unified and powerful emotional energy to the music. Lead vocals are shared between the two songwriters, Pete Harper and J.Blynn.
Loneliest Generation is Harper Blynn's debut album. Recorded over 10 days in New York City, the album was produced by David Kahne (The Strokes, Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney) and Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Chris Whitley, Kaki King).
Harper Blynn on Myspace
Future Self first formed in late 2008 in Atlanta, GA. The group was spearheaded by songwriters Will Mitchell and Joe Koubek (former members of Boston-based Chet). The music has touches of musical theater, dream pop, indie rock, and sometimes bluegrass. Their songs take inspiration from many artists including Bjork, The Eels, The National, Luna, Regina Spektor, Modest Mouse, Nick Drake, and Radiohead. Future Self reformed in the summer of 2009 after Joe relocated to Florida. The new line-up includes Will, Shim Gartner, Ben Williams, Jaron Pearlman, Kevin Goldstein, and Heather Devaney. With the help of so many different inspirations, Future Self creates a sound entirely unique to them.
Future Self website
"Catchy" - For a band, is it the descriptor of doom, or actually a compliment? Does it mean the song writing is concise and interesting, or simply derivative and too familiar? Well, in any event, with Silent and Listen, they hope you won't care. This is a song band, first and foremost. Nathan Woody (vocals/guitar) has been dabbling with some of these songs for three years. Call them guilty pleasures, but the ideas somehow seemed too anthemic and pop for his former band, which tended to lean a little more garage. So, when that band disbanded in December 2007, it was time to find a rhythm section and record a few of the ideas to see if they could work. Nathan turned to Craigslist. Marlon Rhine (drummer) was finishing up his most recent band and looking to branch out. His ad looked interesting, so Nathan emailed him. Marlon rocked. After only a couple of rehearsals, there was enough promise that they hit Joel Mullis' Fatback Studios and recorded three songs. Those songs were good enough that they decided to find a bass player. Marlon went on an insanely long road trip and Nathan headed back to Craigslist where he found Philip. While not the gospel style he was playing at the time, Philip Mallory (bass) nonetheless made an instant fit. Marlon came home and a devastating rhythm section came to be. A few shows were played, and surprisingly well received. Even the 'bad' gigs. People stuck around. They tapped their feet. So, more songs were recorded. Now they've got their first full length album. As it stands they'll probably play some more shows. Sound familiar? Yeah, it's all pretty standard. Kind of like the songs, admittedly. But no sweat if you want to call them 'catchy'. Go ahead. That's the point, people.
Silent & Listen on Myspace
$8 in adv, $10 DOS, All AGES.
DOORS @ 8 PM, SHOW OVER BY 12 AM.
Advance tickets available @ Ticket Alternative, Criminal Records,
Decatur CD, Fantasyland Records and the following CD Warehouse locations: Buford, Duluth, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville and Roswell.
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