No Sleep, BrooklynVegan & City Lights Present: No Sleep till CMJ II
Tuesday // Doors at 5:30
FreeJohn Nolan
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Singer/songwriter John Nolan began his musical career as the lead guitarist for Taking Back Sunday, helping to secure the band's place in the alternative rock spotlight before moving on to form Straylight Run in 2003. Guided by John's pensive, piano-driven songwriting and open, introspective lyrics, Straylight Run released its self-titled debut in 2004 on Victory Records, following up with critically-acclaimed releases Prepare to Be Wrong EP (2005), The Needles The Space (2007) and Un Mas Dos EP (2008). Straylight Run has toured alongside bands such as Motion City Soundtrack, Minus the Bear and Rooney, and their new EP, About Time, is set for release in 2009.
Between recent Straylight Run tours of the U.S. and Australia, John began directing his musical ideas and stockpiled personal recordings toward an emerging solo project. Recorded over a six-month period at his home in Lawrence, Kansas, John's solo songs reveal a strong dedication to the songwriting craft, showcasing the same musical instincts that led to the success of Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run. The intricate arrangements and engaging melodies perfectly complement John's contemplative lyrics, which cut through subjects as diverse as new beginnings (Here I Am), loss of faith (I Won't Ever Be There) and Midwestern malaise (Screaming Into The Wind).
After assembling the basic tracks, John began working with producer Mike Sapone (Taking Back Sunday, Straylight Run, Brand New) to get a fresh perspective. Sapone's production expands the songs' vocal intimacy and harnesses their rhythmic impact to produce a dynamic, hard-hitting sound, and the songs even inspired Sapone to contribute some of his own drum tracks. The solo debut, titled Height, will be released in early fall.
In the meantime, John is looking forward to touring in support of his solo project and experimenting with creative ways of interpreting his songs for the live setting. His wife, Camille, who accompanies him on guitar and piano, joins John on stage. He also plans to incorporate his fellow touring musicians and even audience members into a constantly evolving live show. Whatever shape the live performances take on, John Nolan's solo project promises to be an exciting one, as he steps out of his traditional front man role and into the exciting possibilities of life as a solo artist.
Xerxes
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Xerxes finished recording their sophomore full-length with co-producer Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It., Their They're There) in March of 2014, which is set for release this Fall via No Sleep Records. The band is currently hitting the road on a few shows showcasing new material from their forthcoming album.
The Felix Culpa
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Since their 2002 formation, the Felix Culpa have focused on taking the road less traveled, no matter how long it might take. After delivering a stunning debut (2004's Commitment) and getting written up numerous times in such tastemaking publications as Alternative Press, the band—vocalist/guitarist Marky Hladish, bassist/vocalist Tristan Hammond and drummer Joel Coan—found themselves being courted by numerous labels, all looking to capitalize on the band's uniquely aggressive and starkly beautiful take on art rock. Instead of striking while the iron was hot, the band receded from the spotlight, playing the occasional show—including a run as the backing band for Braid/Hey Mercedes frontman Bob Nanna—and, after picking up guitarist/vocalist Dustin Currier in 2007, beginning the long, arduous process of creating their second album, Sever Your Roots.
Over two years in the making, Sever Your Roots (originally self-released by the Culpa in January 2010) finds the band firing on all cylinders. From the unhinged guitar madness in "Our Holy Ghosts" and the head-spinning drumming of "The Constant" to the scathing lyrics and pummeling rhythms of "An Instrument" to the gorgeous arrangement and soaring chorus of "Apologies," there is nary a flaw to be found over the album's 66-minute runtime. Very few musicians can create music even worth listening to these days; even fewer can create art. The Felix Culpa are that rare breed of band who grasp the importance of both melody and dissonance, and Sever Your Roots is a true masterpiece.
2010 has been the busiest year yet for the Culpa; the band have been on the road with the Dear Hunter, Balance And Composure, O'Brother, Sainthood Reps and more, even being invited to Austin, Texas, by Gotta Groove Records to play their showcase during this year's South By Southwest Music Festival. Couple that with a mountain of positive press in response to Sever Your Roots, and it was a no-brainer that the band would once again have labels knocking at their door, with rising indie label No Sleep Records (the Wonder Years, La Dispute) coming out on top. No Sleep will reissue Sever Your Roots this February, which the band will support with nonstop touring.
Aviator
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Aviator is tricky to write about – something on which they pride themselves. Formed in 2009 in the hardcore hotbed of Boston, the members have been so sharply focused on honing their songcraft that they've neglected to manufacture a backstory, an "angle." But with the maturation evident across their early short-form releases (3 EPs, splits with My Fictions & Spirit Fangs), Aviator is comfortable letting their music speak for itself.
For their first few years, they billed their sound as "progressive" hardcore, but catching up with them in 2014 it seems as if they've progressed into something else entirely. Somewhere along the way, the band - vocalist TJ Copello, drummer Aviv Marotz, bassist Mike Moschetto and guitarists Mat Morin & Michael Russo - began letting go of the tropes of heavy music in favor of emotional weight, plucking instead at heartstrings and cathartically pounding the doldrums away. This growth comes to fruition on 'Head In The Clouds, Hands In The Dirt,' their first full-length effort and No Sleep Records debut. Its ten self-produced tracks cover wide swaths of stylistic ground, comprising an emotive post-hardcore tour de force.
Rescuer
Rescuer was formed as a result of years of close friendship and a common vision. Vocalist JP Marra and drummer Chris Krause went to grade school together; after touring and performing with several other acts, they teamed up with fellow Tampa Bay musicians Danny Quinlan (guitar), Evan Miller (bass), and Michael Gorgen (guitar). The 5 piece had met while attending local shows and after forming Rescuer, wasted no time making a name for themselves in their hometown. Pooling their collective influences from bands like Envy, Modern Life Is War, and City of Caterpillar, Rescuer has formed their own brand of hardcore that feels not just fresh, but truly ambitious. They will release their Rise Records debut "With Time Comes The Comfort" later this year.
Maps For Travelers
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Maps For Travelers formed in early 2010, and is a collective of 4 musicians who have played and toured nationally in various band around the Kansas city area. Maps For Travelers have their eyes set on simply making music, writing records and taking it to the streets for people to hear. With influences such as Cave In, Failure, Shiner, Hey Mercedes, Far, Quicksand, American Football, Brand New and a long list of other bands. Maps For Travelers released a 5 song ep titled "Regress|Progress" Oct 12th 2010 to great reviews courtesy of The Pitch. " The songs mash together the snarling post-hardcore riffs of Taking Back Sunday and the muscular melodies of early Jimmy Eat World." The band also released 3 singles "Static", "Not Far Enough" and "So Kind" in late Jan 2011. 2012 brought regional touring in support of Bars of Gold and Casket Lottery. Maps For Travelers has shared the stage with acts such as Fucked up, Junius, Casket Lottery, O'Brother, Touche Amore, Balance and Composure, Appleseed Cast, Colour Revolt, The Jealous Sound, Bars Of Gold,The Bled, The Memorials, Emery, Just Like Vinyl and many other amazing bands. Look for the band to be on the road frequently in 2013 along with their debut album release "Change Your Name" set to release Aug 27th courtesy of No Sleep Records.