VERITY SPRING 2014
Danielle Bradbery
From The Voice stage to touring with Hunter Hayes, Danielle Bradbery talks about her debut album, touring and more
Emblem3
From a garage band to headlining tours, Emblem3 talks about living the #bandlife
from the
letter founder What’s interesting is how special events bring people together that you haven’t seen in months and in some cases, even years. Recently, my family came together to celebrate my grandparents’ 40th anniversary. I spent some time talking with cousins, who as a child, I spent nearly every waking day with and now, only see occassionally. Interested in my endeavors, they asked questions about Verity Mag. I told them the story of how it came to be and some experiences I’ve had along the way. So engaged, one of them insisted that I share my story with readers. Anyone who knows me well knows that I don’t like talking about myself. I laughed at the idea and explained that this publication isn’t about me, it’s about the creative, talented people we meet along the way whose stories deserve to be told. What came next left me perplexed. They explained that it is as much about me as it is about anyone else. From the hours spent designing, interviewing, photographing, writing and putting it all together, Verity Mag is as much a part of me as I am of it. Although the stories bound inside aren’t about me, each story indirectly becomes a part of me. Whether it’s an inspirational quote from an interview, getting advice from those I meet along the way or walking away from a concert having made new friends, this is who I am. I am an editor, storyteller, photographer, listener, designer and music lover. More importantly, I am creative, innovative and inspired by each person whose path I cross. There are those we see and talk to on a regular basis, and then there are those we see and talk to on rare occassions. The truth is, they are no less important and there’s something to be appreciated about special occasions that bring old friends and distant relatives together. Something that in cases such as this one, can refresh your outlook. This issue is a representation of just that: a refreshed outlook. From traveling to Chicago to see Emblem3, experiencing my first ride on a subway and being trapped in a tunnel because it broke down to enjoying a laid-back atmosphere seeing the incredibly talented,Vance Joy, this issue is a representation of real life events, things not always going as planned and taking each experience for what it’s worth; each one allowing us to see something differently, something we didn’t see before. Sincerely, Adrianna Velazquez
V M
EDITORS
Emily Kirchner Adrianna Velazquez
DESIGN/PHOTOGRAPHY Danyyil Nosovskiy Adrianna Velazquez
WRITERS
Amber Ainsworth Danyyil Nosovskiy Courtney Rose Adrianna Velazquez
Features
[04] Vance Joy [06] The Neighbourhood [10] Danielle Bradbery [16] Emblem3 [20] Eli Young Band
Editorial
[08] EDM Guide [24] Reviews [26] Live Performances
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Who We Are
Verity Mag is a digital magazine dedicated to bringing you the latest news in the music industry. We are passionate about promoting both local and well-known artists through interviews, album reviews, concert coverage and other exclusive features.
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Vance Joy
Words by Danyyil Nosovskiy
04 | VANCE JOY
It only takes moments after opening a book to sink into a world away from the one in which we live in. It serves as a route of escape from our reality into a place that sometimes seems more interesting than where we often find ourselves. The deeper you travel through the pages of a book, the more you begin to discover characters that you connect with. For singer-songwriter, James Keogh, a book titled Bliss by Peter Carey took him on a journey that has gone far beyond the back cover. When the Aussie native opened the cover of Bliss he was introduced to Vance Joy, the narrator of Peter Carey’s debut novel that masters imagination combined with ordinary experiences. “It had a really nice ring to it and I felt like I wanted an alias for music,” said Keogh. “To create a persona even though it’s a piece I want to myself, I thought it would work well if I had songs that I could put a new name and a new kind of image behind it.” While he took up the name as an alias for his music career, music wasn’t always what he had in mind. James attended Monash University in Australia where he studied law before quickly realizing that it wasn’t something he could see himself doing. Although he always had a musical interest, his family has always been musical without knowing how to play instruments. “I think every one of us is involved with music, not many people do away with music. My mum is a musical person without playing an instrument. I thinks she has good taste in music. My dad is really interested in discovering new music. My mum listens to old stuff, my dad listens to current things,” said Keogh. “My dad was the guy that wished he played guitar, he didn’t have the system to learn or sort of breakthrough at the time and play guitar. So he was really adamant that his children would learn to play instruments.”
Growing up, James learned to play guitar, fulfilling his father’s wish but it wasn’t until he began developing his songwriting skills that he began to see music as a possible career choice. Like all parents, Keogh’s mother wanted nothing more than for her son to succeed and she knew that a law degree would provide him with financial security. For James, that guarantee wasn’t enough. “I think my mum— I slowly chipped away at her from me being away throughout my degree, because I would come back and be like, ‘Look, I’m not really into this, I’m not doing very well. I can’t imagine myself doing it. I’ve spent more time writing songs than studying.’ I just did it because I felt like I should do it and then I was like, ‘I’m not doing it.’” The 25-year-old gave up his potential law career for his music, a passion he’s always had somewhere within.
“I’ve watched a lot of movies and read a lot of books. If you absorb enough creative material it will be like a deposit of things that you can choose from when you need to write a song,” he explained. His debut single, “Riptide” made significant waves in his homeland of Australia when it was certified three times platinum before making its way overseas. While the song doesn’t have a clear narrative, it was conceived in a natural setting. It started off in 2008 when James wrote the first two lines in a notebook and put it away, never looking back. “I didn’t think anything of them and then in 2012 I was staying with a friend and he was working and I was hanging out in the house. Then within a couple of days, I was just writing songs. I started playing on the Ukulele and for whatever reason, it triggered my memory of the two lines and I retrieved those lines and put them all together. Over the next few days the lyrics just came out,” explained James. The song came full circle while sitting in class one day. “I was in class, I was just writing some more lines and eventually I kind of spurted out the lines in the right order. Then I was like, ‘This is good enough.’ I felt like I had a good song by that point. I went home and started showing people,” he said. This past winter he joined Young the Giant on tour across the U.S and is embarking on an Australian tour this spring. When he’s not out on the road James is in the studio working on his debut album expected to be released later this year. Not regretting the chance he took, Keogh rests assured that he made the right choice, “I think just making a living from music is a great achievement because I feel like I’ve made it to pursue my dream; to do this as a job is an achievement.”
“I was always into music and stuff but my songs were never there, my songs were never powerful. When I started getting better at it, I think I started to believe more in the possibility of doing music.” “I think I’ve always had that dream in my heart. I guess it kind of became a thing when I started writing better songs. I was always into music and stuff but my songs were never there, my songs were never powerful. When I started getting better at it I think I started to believe more in the possibility of doing music,” explained James. He first got his start by showcasing his unique voice at open-mike nights at venues in Melbourne, Australia. His intimate indie-folk songs captured audiences and led him to begin booking even bigger shows as his reputation in his homeland continued to grow which eventually led to his record deal with Atlantic Records. Last year Keogh released his debut EP, God Loves You When You’re Dancing. As an avid reader, one could only assume that inspiration derives from creative works such as books and movies.
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The Neighbourhood Words by Amber Ainsworth In 2011, Zach Abels, Jesse Rutherford, and Jeremy Freedman sat down to write music together, conceiving a song that would develop into a hit. Together, California natives, The Neighbourhood, wrote “Sweater Weather” which found its place at the top of the Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart last summer; just a couple of months after the band released their first album, I Love You. The song was also certified double platinum while holding 06 | THE NBHD
positions on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Zach, Jesse, and Jeremy, along with Mikey Margott and Bryan Sammis had successfully emerged. The band ended 2013 right, landing the 3rd spot on the Year End Alternative Song Artists chart, with only Imagine Dragons and Muse placing above them. The Neighbourhood, although still fairly new, has been classified as a group based on art opposed to their image. They are centered on living black and white while creating music that is also black and white. The black and white theme is present in the group’s work and
is most noticeable in their music videos, considering they don’t contain color. It’s rare to find a colorful photo of the band floating around the internet. There is a far deeper meaning behind the black and white association. While it’s an interesting and rather mysterious way to describe a lifestyle, guitarist Zach Abels sees it as a freedom of expression. According to Abels, when it comes to making music it’s all about “taking a little bit of this and that and making it [music] for everybody.” The way the band can take something as
The band’s debut EP, I’m Sorry…, and debut album, I Love You., are perfect examples of the attention to detail the band places on even the slightest things. According to Abels, just the way the phrases are written can alter the meaning of the words. “When you’re really sorry, when you really love someone, it’s written with a period at the end,” he explained. As for being mysterious, Abels claims that it is, or at least was, an intended display. When The Neighbourhood was first getting their start, pictures of the band purposely weren’t released, hence a vibe of mystery. In fact, no one knew too much about the band, as they kept everything hidden. Slowly but surely, bits of who exactly this rather secret group was started to appear, erasing the secrecy that came with their introduction into the music world. While the initial “mystery” about the band has diminished and The Neighbourhood has blown up into a group whose name rings a bell in the musical scene, there’s still an air of enigma surrounding them. Perhaps it’s the black and white videos and pictures the band puts out or maybe, according to Abels, it’s just the fact that the band is still too new for people to know a great amount about them.
Regardless, The Neighbourhood remain a dark and artsy figure that still continue to slowly reveal themselves to the world. The Neighbourhood has and continues to make a mark on industry with their dark, almost gritty, but catchy sound that Zach Abels defines as “dark-pop,” paired with mind-bending lyrics that deviate away from the typical wishywashy sound that hits radio airwaves all too often. Besides seeing significant successes through “Sweater Weather,” their third single, “Afraid,” has seen the fourth spot on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart. I Love You., like the songs contained on it, enjoyed charts as a whole album as well. It peaked at the 5th position on Billboard’s Alternative Album chart while capturing the 25th spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Abels cites that the sheer success of the group as highlighted through even just one of The Neighbourhood’s songs still isn’t enough to reach the band’s expectations and it surely isn’t the last we’ll hear from the talented group. “We’re not completely satisfied yet with how far we’ve come even though we’ve done so much,” said Abels. “We want to be the biggest band ever, we’re still working towards that goal.”
basic as a lack of color and apply it to not only the way they present themselves, but also to the music they make exemplifies the amount of thought and time that goes into what the group is creating; it’s not just something that happens on its own. The guys seem to have a thing for providing an additional level of raw depth to the ordinary. Empathetic titles are the norm for the band’s EP and album titles.They were the idea of Zach Abels and are intended to shine a light on phrases that are so often abused. VERITY MAG|07
Your Guide to
Electronic Dance Music
BY DANYYIL NOSOVSKIY
Dubstep Many people who have heard of EDM think it is primarily Dubstep. However, Dubstep is a sub-genre of EDM and one of the first genres that evolved in the late 1990s in England. As more sub-genres have surfaced, the stereotype that EDM is primarily Dubstep has been wearing down. What makes Dubstep a unique sub-genre is its dark, experimental tracks that focus minimally on vocals and incorporates elements of breakbeat in addition to drum n bass, giving it a very distinctive sound. Protohype and 12th Planet are great examples of this distinctive sound. They recently went on tour together and captured audiences with their relentless energy, selling out venues across the country. Check out “FLY” by Protohype for a dirty bass drop.
House House is the simplest, oldest, warmest and soulful genres of EDM. Originated in the 1980s in Chicago, the term “House Music” originated as a reference to a Chicago nightclub called The Warehouse. DJs in and around Chicago began playing various styles of dance music combined with their tracks of song-sampling. House gained popularity when it became a primary genre that entered clubs around the world. It’s characterized by complex rhythms, lower emphasis on basslines and a combination of both short and high pitched riffs. This genre can sometimes include abrasive electro-influenced synths and vocal samples.
Techno Techno’s roots originated in Detroit. This sub-genre manages to maintain its position as the most popular type of club music around the United States and remains the root of some of the most popular dance songs. Techno emphasizes on rhythm and utilizes advancements in music technology such as synthesizers, drum machines, multiple tracking and hardware sequencers. Futuristic sounds is what produces its distinct sound. If you’re looking to immerse yourself into a great Techno experience, Detroit never fails to provide fans with what they’re looking for. The annual Electronic Music Festival attracts hundreds of thousands people each year from around the world. This year it is bringing some very big names such as Calvin Harris, Carl Craig and Deadmau5.
SOUND BARS ACROSS HERE 08|EDM GUIDE
Trance Trance music started in the early 1990s and is currently one of the most influential music genres. Trance music carries a distinctive yet uplifting and peaceful vibe. It’s the most ambiguous sub-genre of dance music with a very melodic sound that partially derived from house music. It typically includes a melodic or vocal hook repeated over a bassline or drum pattern. This music is often characterized to have anthemic, rifting, epic and psychedelic personalities. The best way to describe it is dance music centered around riffs and anthems full of energy or sometimes very mellow. Initially, trance was, for the most part, part of the underground scene. It has since become more popular. One of the best DJs of trance music and also named the World’s Greatest DJ is Armin Van Buuren.
Trap Trap music is catching more and more momentum in the EDM community through the ever-growing sub-genres of dance music. Trap music first started in the south and is characterized by a hard edge which can be felt through the heavy bass, triangle, loud kicks and snappy snares. This genre is also characterized by its strong hip hop and dance music influences. Most vocals used in this sub-genre are mixes of hip hop artists which provides the best hook to transition a rap fan into the world of EDM. Since it combines both rap, dance music and dubstep sounds, it easily attracts fans of many different genres. Some modern producers of the new trap music are RL Grime, Flosstradamus, Major Lazer and of course the wellknown DJ, Baauer, whose hit, “Harlem Shake” took the country by storm.
Electro soul Electro Soul is often referred to as future funk or as some like to call, the “Future of EDM” and is quickly becoming one of the most popular sub-genres of EDM. Electro Soul emerged from soul music and contemporary R&B and captures unique elements of jazz and funk. These vintage, groovy beats combined with modern dance music are hard to ignore. Good vibes that flow from the fusion of funk, soul and gritty bass can instantly put listeners in a good mood. The most popular artists of this genre today, GRiZ and Gramatik. They never fail to astonish their fanbase when they collaborate on their side project, GRIZMATIK.
SOUND BARS ACROSS HERE VERITY MAG|09
Danielle Bradbery Words by Adrianna Velazquez Everyone knows you don’t mess with Texas and there are a few reasons why. A quick Google search will tell you that the state of Texas is bigger than every European country, the second largest and most populated state in the country and home to the largest active-duty, armoured U.S. military base in the world. Aside from the alarming facts, the Lone Star state has birthed some of country music’s biggest superstars. From traditional honky tonkers such as the late George Jones and Willie Nelson to the king of country, George Strait and country music’s bad girl, Miranda Lambert, 17-yearold Danielle Bradbery is one more reason why you just don’t mess with Texas. The then 16-year-old hailing from Cypress made her debut on season 4 of NBC’s, The Voice. As one of the most talked about contestants on the show, Bradbery selected a rendition of Jo Dee Messina’s, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” to perform during
the top 10 playoffs. The song became the first song of the season to reach the iTunes top 10 charts. With five songs in total to reach the iTunes top 10 charts and having held the most peak positions throughout the season, Danielle holds the record for the most iTunes downloads than any other contestant in the show’s history. Alongside her country rebel coach, Blake Shelton, Danielle led Team Blake to a third consecutive victory after being crowned the youngest contestant to ever win and according to her coach, Bradbery is “the most important artist to walk across The Voice stage.” The day after being announced season 4 winner of The Voice, Danielle Bradbery signed a record deal with Big Machine Records Shortly after, she released her debut single, “Heart of Dixie,” which peaked at No. 60 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Following her Grand Ole Opry debut last November, Bradbery’s self-titled debut album was released on November 25th, peaking at the 5th spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Since her stand-out debut, Bradbery’s achievements make it clear that she’s where she’s supposed to be. Her stellar performances marked by her graceful stage presence and homegrown vocals would lead you to believe she’s a natural superstar. Press pause, and rewind back to a time before The Voice, when prior to her debut on the competitive singing show, Danielle Bradbery lived an ordinary life. A high school student living in small town USA, Danielle Bradbery didn’t come from a musical background and aside from singing behind closed doors and growing up on country music she heard around the house, she was never musically involved otherwise. “I just love to sing and listen to music,” she confessed. Never comfortable in the spotlight, she often found herself straying away from any attention aimed at her. Danielle’s introverted nature kept her profound love for music and her natural singing talent trapped inside the walls of her bedroom. “I never performed absolutely anywhere before The Voice,” said Bradbery. “I watched the show and I was a big fan of it but I never actually told myself that I was going to go audition,” she explained. “It was kind of something my parents brought up themselves and it was kind of a surprise. So I went to audition not knowing what was going to happen.” With the support of her parents, Danielle built up the courage and auditioned for The Voice. Her exhilarating performance of Taylor Swift’s, “Mean,” took viewers and coaches by surprise. The sassy, defeating lyrics for Bradbery, are a personal revelation of her middle school
years when she was often picked on by fellow classmates, making her blind audition a redefining moment that changed her life forever after captivating the interest of Blake Shelton, Usher and Adam Levine. “When I went on stage and I started singing I started getting more comfortable. When I saw them turn around I felt like I could be even more comfortable. It made me feel good; that feeling when you know you’re safe, it was awesome,” reminisced Bradbery. With no prior experience performing, no professional background in singing or songwriting, Danielle Bradbery learned the ropes of the music industry after embarking on a life-changing journey with her coach, Blake Shelton. Naturally shy, stage fright was something she faced and struggled to overcome. “I had horrible stage fright; I wouldn’t sing in front of anybody and it was a big thing for me to overcome. The Voice was definitely a huge stepping stone for me,” confessed Bradbery. Breaking out of her shell and opening herself up presented another struggle going from a small town girl to an overnight sensation. “I think my shyness has been a big thing to overcome. I think just overall, talking in front of people, even more, singing, was kind of a big scare for me when it comes to coming and doing that in front of people,” said Bradbery. “When I started off I probably wasn’t giving it as much as I could because I didn’t know how and I was scared to and I think a big part of Blake was to break me out of that shell.” With the help of her coach and new experiences she went from singing in her bedroom to singing in front of large audiences. The young songstress joined Brad Paisley as a supporting act on his Beat This Summer tour last year and is currently making her way across the country on tour with
“I had horrible stage fright; I wouldn’t sing in front of anybody and it was a big thing for me to overcome. The Voice was definitely a huge stepping stone for me.”
Hunter Hayes for the We’re Not Invisible tour, alongside rising country duo, Dan + Shay. Although some singers get lost in their performance, Bradbery pays close attention to the audience when she’s on stage. “When I sing my single, ‘Heart of Dixie,’ it’s really cool to see fans, or just anybody sing along. And I especially think it’s funny when grown men sing ‘Heart of Dixie.’ I love seeing that,” she chuckled. Aside from learning the ropes of her new found profession, Bradbery’s home life has adapted to the ever-changing musician lifestyle. For one, she’s learned to manage academics with her demanding career. “I used to go to a regular high school but I got out of that when I was on The Voice. Right now I’m homeschooled and every time I get home, or over a phone call, me and my tutor that I have, we work together on everything and we have a little routine down and so far so good,” said Bradbery. Despite her recent rise to fame, Danielle Bradbery is much like other teenagers her age. Her Facebook timeline and Instagram feed are home to daily selfies, inspiring quotes and everything in between. When she’s not on stage, one of the many things she enjoys are action-packed movies. “I love any kind of action movie. I love the superhero movies. I don’t know why but I love Transformers,” she confessed. Everyone has at least one guilty pleasure and it’s safe to say that for the young singer, Starbucks is her sweet addiction. “I don’t really drink hot coffee. I always get the iced Caramel Macchiato and I always get the Refreshers. I always switch back and forth,” she said. Between school, adapting to drastic lifestyle changes and fulfilling a demanding career, the talented singer has done well for herself while tackling obstacles along the way. Bradbery’s song, “My Day,” from her self-titled debut album was used for NBC’s Winter Olympics Campaign.
“‘My Day’ can be about anything, but having it mean that this is your day and you can do something special and having it be the Winter Olympics song is the perfect match,” said Bradbery. “It’s perfect for all these athletes that have gone through a lot with the Olympics and just reminding them that it’s their day.” “My Day,” like many other handcrafted songs that made the final tracklist for her self-titled debut album is a great reflection of who she is both personally and professionally. “I love the whole album. I feel like every song has its own unique sound and meaning to it. I love songs that really have meaning to them and not just one, it can be anything,” said Bradbery. Although many of the songs on the album tug at emotional roots, there’s one that certainly sticks out that she credits as the soundtrack of her life and where she is now. “I love ‘Never Like This.’ I think I can really relate to that for myself and I mean, this whole process— I never thought it would be like this. I love singing that song and knowing that it’s mine. It can go in so many ways and it tells you that you can never really expect anything,” she explained. Although Danielle may be very new to the music industry and still learning the ins and outs, one thing is for certain: she’s a talented musician with a promising career. If her experiences have taught her anything since being immersed into an entirely new world it’s confidence. “I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout this whole thing,” said Bradbery. “I feel like the biggest achievement is becoming who I am now. It’s only going to grow and I’m going to find out even more about myself.”
3
Emblem Words by Courtney Rose
What started off as a bitter battle over girls, Drew Chadwick and Wesley Stromberg were brought together at a party through the power of music. Despite their childhood rivalry, they quickly came to the realization that they actually had more similarities than they did differences. Both Drew and Wesley grew up in the small town of Sequim, Washington located just three hours outside of Seattle. They both lived on the football field as quarterbacks under the Friday Night lights that in time, eventually evolved into stage lights. Guitarists to their respective bands, Drew and Wesley joined forces to create one of their own. “We started playing as a pop-punk band in the garage at my house,” explained Wesley. Meanwhile, younger brother Keaton Stromberg found his passion in recording as he watched from the sidelines and developed his skills. It wasn’t long before he too, became part of the garage band antics. The trio eventually found themselves standing in front of a whiteboard writing down different names in search of their identity. Strong believers in the power of positivity, there
16 | EMBLEM3
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18 | EMBLEM3
was one compelling term they couldn’t escape: emblem. Naturally, they came to be Emblem3, a representation of their mutual belief in the empowerment of peace, tranquility and equality. As their passion continued to grow, music became their primary focus as they made the move to Huntington Beach, California. In pursuit of their dreams they began performing locally. “We just started playing local clubs and shows and started playing some hundred shows,” said Wesley. “We played all the big venues on the strip like The Roxy, The Whiskey, Hard Rock, those types of venues and got a local following.” With the support of their local following, the skilled trio claimed the title after competing in the battle of the bands of Orange County. Although their local support continued to grow, they were unsure of what lay ahead. Drew, Wesley, and Keaton traveled to Los Angeles on a whim and auditioned for season two of The X Factor. “Just randomly, we went and auditioned for The X Factor,” said Wesley. Emblem3 was courageous in choosing to perform their original song, “Sunset Blvd,” for their audition. Taking the judges by surprise, they advanced to the next round. Each week they continued to grow, discovering their true potential along the way. Emblem3’s journey on X Factor came to an end after being eliminated from the top four. As a fan-favorite it was evident that their musical journey was far from over. Following their elimination, the guys embarked on their Back to Cali tour with classic-pop duo, MKTO. Aside from music, they created Team Inspire. A direct reflection of their identity, Team Inspire is a movement empowered by inspiration to promote conscious global awareness. Focused on the idea of youth outreach, it encourages young individuals to discover their highest potential.
Team Inspire is more than just a movement, it’s a way of life. It’s about encouraging one another to find purpose and achieve dreams, an opportunity for fans to connect and share their stories. “They say the most amazing, incredible, inspiring things. Our fans are so amazing and the fact that we can do anything to help them feel better about themselves or work on something, it’s just amazing,” said Wesley. “Everytime I hear ‘I stopped cutting’ or ‘I stopped throwing up after eating,’ that’s the whole point and I’m glad they’re getting that through our songs and through our music.” Last summer, Emblem3 released their debut album, Nothing to Lose. The 11-track debut album is fueled by intoxicating melodies and sugary harmonies that create a fun, tropical, sun-splashed vibe. “There’s songs that we wrote before The X Factor that I love somewhat more than songs now, but from the album ‘Nothing to Lose’ is my favorite,” said Wesley. It’s no surprise that the title track, a mantra for living in the moment and living life to the fullest is a favorite for the three-piece band. The track’s laid-back beach vibe is a reflection of their lives and spontaneous nature. The album also features their hit single, “Chloe,” a genuine message that emphasizes the value of inner beauty. A perfect fusion of pop/reggae Nothing to Lose is true to their roots, a feel-good album full of Cali beach tunes and catchy anthems that Drew, Wesley and Keaton penned themselves. No strangers to the road, Emblem3 recently finished up their first-ever headlining tour, the #bandlife tour with good friends, MKTO and Jackson Guthy. “I think right now what we’re doing is pretty spoton compared to what we want to do,” said Wesley. “Just being young, having fun, making it, making music together, having a blast, touring the world. It’s freaking awesome, it’s the best thing ever.”
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20 | ELI YOUNG BAND
Eli Young Band
Words by Adrianna Velazquez
They often say that the four years spent in high school are the best years of your life, but for Mike Eli, James Young, Chris Thompson and Jon Jones of Eli Young Band, the time they spent in college changed their lives forever. Students at the University of North Texas, lead vocalist Mike Eli and guitarist James Young coincidentally became roommates their freshman year of college. A couple avid guitar players, it wasn’t long before they began writing and singing songs together which led to the birth of an acoustic duo they called Eli & Young. They later joined forces with bassist Jon Jones and drummer Chris Thompson and became the Eli Young Band. The four-piece band began playing live shows in the Lone Star state’s competitive music circuit while attending college. With no idea what would become of it, Eli Young Band’s live shows and passionate songs led to a rapid growth of a strong grassroots fanbase. It was the edgy, heartfelt indie albums they produced and their emphasis on songwriting that sent the Texas natives from the Lone Star state’s competitive music scene into a national playing field.
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debut to performing with Alabama. “When all this is said and done and we’re all in our twilight years, these are the moments you look back on and you’re like ‘I’m so happy we did that,’ and that’s what it’s all about,” said Thompson. For Eli, Young, Thompson and Jones their continued efforts have certainly paid off. The band recently released their fifth studio album, 10,000 Towns this past March. “Everytime I think about it, I don’t think we’ve had a record that is this up-tempo and just kind of happy before. I think it’s our most fun record to date,” said Thompson. “We’re all in really good places in our careers and in our personal lives. We’ve all gotten married in the past couple of years, there’s been babies born in the band, tour-
think that when you’re a band you kind of naturally produce yourself anyway. We go to the studio, we sit down, we start playing a song, we all kind of fall into our patterns and our habits, it’s a part of our sound.” Their sound resonates throughout venues across the country having toured with acts such as Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Jack Ingram and recently, Darius Rucker. Eli Young Band is currently on the True Believers tour alongside Darius, who for them, was a part of their soundtrack growing up. “It’s fun watching his set because not only does he have all the Darius Rucker hit songs, but he also plays a couple of the Hootie and the Blowfish songs and that was kind of the soundtrack of our high school years,” said Thompson. “I remember “When this is all said and done and we’re all in our the first time twilight years, these are the moments you look back I watched his show on the on and you’re like, ‘I’m so happy we did that’ and that’s tour, he did a Hootie song what it’s all about.” and the music ing has been great. I think with this took me back to driving around, record, we were writing for years listening to the radio and it was just and years for this record, but I pretty wild.” think a lot of that kind of positivity Eli Young Band’s potent live shows comes out.” that captivated audiences from the The album is a reflection of just start continue to be a focus area that: growth. and one that will continue to be a Together, Eli, Young, Thompson driving force in band’s career. and Jones penned over half the “I think the fans see that we’re not songs on the album. The tracklist just hitting ‘play’ on a show and just consists of real life anthems about going through the motions, that everything from love and loss to there’s a lot of passion and a lot of drinking and celebration, an accuenergy that we have on stage. Any rate depiction of the triumphs and night you can be playing the same tribulations that life throws at us. set list, but it’s a different show for “I think when it comes to making this reason or that reason and that’s records it’s always a combination of how we’ve always been. It’s just personal interest. It’s your passion naturally who we are,” said Thompand project but it’s still your busison. “I think that the music has to ness so you really can’t separate come from a very basic attachment yourself from it, at least not in this place within each of us and I think band,” explained Thompson. “I it does.”
From the release of their self-titled debut album to the release of their fourth studio album, Life At Best, Eli Young Band has found a home in country music. Their critically acclaimed, lead single, “Crazy Girl,” from the Life At Best album earned the band their first ACM Award in 2012 for Song of the Year. “I remember sitting in our seats and they announced our name and I remember I had to look up at the screen just to read it just to make sure they actually said our name because I was like ‘There’s no way they just said Eli Young Band,’” reminisced Thompson. “They got a pretty funny screen shot of Mike with this completely crazy, happy look on his face when we were walking up to accept the award. It was just a completely surreal experience, none of us saw it coming.” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” the second single from the album, tells the story of years of hard work and struggles the band has faced in the competitive music industry. It’s about four guys from Texas with a dream so deeply rooted that even uncertainty and potential failure couldn’t stop them from chasing it. The anthem earned the band a well-deserved 2013 Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. “Being a musician, the Grammys are as big of an honor as it gets,” said Thompson. “I think the fact that we were nominated for ‘Even If It Breaks Your Heart’ was really, really appropriate because that really tells the story of the band. That being the song that kind of led us to the Grammys is amazing. It couldn’t be more perfect than that.” Despite their prestigious achievements, it’s the moments in between that make the journey worthwhile. From performing for the President, making appearances on all the late night t.v. shows they grew up watching, making their Grand Ole Opry 22|ELI YOUNG BAND
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SONG Dollhouse
RATING 5/5
By Courtney Rose meets the eye by looking beyond the curtains. The first verse of the song magnifies immoral acts and unacceptable habits that sometimes poison the picture-perfect family standard. Martinez sheds light on family imperfections and insecurities that are portrayed by a cheating husband, alcoholic wife and drug-addicted brother. The two-toned hair alumni, from NBC’s The The indie songstress’ sweet and distinctive Voice, Melanie Martinez, recently released vocals paint a picture of the hidden family secrets that are often masked by plastic. her debut single, “Dollhouse.” From the outside looking in, the eerie track As it progresses, the track develops a haunting sensation and a catchy melody that introduces what appears to be a “picturesque” family, only to unveil more than what captures listeners and never sets them free.
SONG Objects In The Mirror
The accompanying music video vividly conceptualizes the family imperfections with quality visuals. The taunting clip shows a little girl in an attic standing before the dollhouse that unknowingly mirrors what could potentially be her reality. After fading into the darkness, the dolls come alive in their true identities that are coated by flaws. “Dollhouse,” which is significantly more dark than what most would expect, is an accurate depiction of the singer-songwriter’s maturity since The Voice and a clear image of who she wants to be as an artist.
RATING 5/5
By Courtney Rose second studio album, Watching Movies with the Sound Off gives light of his singing ability where he sings for the duration of the track. The smooth harmonies accompanied by his sincere vocals bring the track alive instantly. The melodic beat sets a relaxing vibe to the jazz-influenced song that instantly triggers a mix of emotions from love and compassion While Mac Miller is most known for his rapping skills, his Space Migration sessions to sorrow and pain. The achy and tranquil love song is unusual for Miller who’s offer listeners a different side of him that comfort lies in rapping. he’s otherwise been reluctant to show off. Not only did he expose a side of him that we “Objects In The Mirror,” a song off his
SONG Guilty All The Same
haven’t seen before, but the revealing lyrics show us an emotional side that gives listeners a deeper look into his personal life. The passionate lyrics explore the difficulties associated with relationships while the defining hook expresses heartbreak and suggests letting go of the past and moving on. “Objects In The Mirror” is a shock to critics and listeners alike and showcases Miller’s songwriting skills and tests his singing ability that has proven to be respected.
RATING 3/5
By Amber Ainsworth short, but catchy and heavy lyrics, utilizing a deeper, darker vocal sound when compared to the songs from Linkin Park’s past two albums. The song lacks screaming that fans tend to look forward to in their traditional songs, but is quickly made up for by the strength of the instrumentals that includes a guitar solo. The track features New York rapper, Rakim In early March, rock group Linkin Park whose verse adds an edge to the song while dropped their first single, “Guilty All the putting a hip hop twist on a primarily Same,” from their highly anticipated album. nu-metal sound. Though there has been a The song starts with a long instrumental mixed reaction to the song, including the that creates a mix of strong guitar and verse, there’s no denying that it provides an drums. Singer Chester Bennington belts out upbeat vibe to a song that has a dark air to 24|REVIEWS
it, something that Linkin Park songs of the past were known for. Linkin Park is a band who is obvious in changing their sound and creating albums that sound significantly different than work they have done in the past, nearly erasing what has worked and rewriting how they make music. Their albums, A Thousand Suns and Living Things were widely considered works that deviated away from their well-known sound. “Guilty All the Same” is the bridging song between Linkin Park’s many sounds, blending tones from the group’s earliest albums while creating something entirely new.
ALBUM 10,000 Towns
RATING 4/5
By Amber Ainsworth The title track, “10,000 Towns,” like most songs on the album, possesses a beat that is both catchy and rhythmic. An overall good mood party song, it’s a medley of feel-good lyrics that are accented by the instruments that are clean and concise, but pair perfectly with the atmosphere of the track. The bouncy and optimistic tracks, “Dust” and “Let’s Do Something Tonight,” follow in Eli Young Band’s newest album 10,000 the footsteps of “10,000 Towns,” capturing a Towns blends the spirit of country music sound that is simple, yet lyrically addicting. with a rock vibe to produce a sound that is fresh and upbeat, but detached from the Both are songs that successfully use vocals to generate memorable lyrics that will be country-pop sound that is increasingly stuck in listeners’ heads. gaining popularity. As for adding love into the mix, the album A diverse tracklist spans from emotional songs of love and loss to sounds of drinking does a magnificent job of expressing and even defining love. “Your Last Broken and celebration. Heart” brings positivity to lost love with the The album starts with the first single zeal and approach of a boy band expressing released, “Drunk Last Night.” The song promises of love and happiness. narrates a relatable tale of a night out “What Does” slows down significantly in drinking that ends with calling an ex. While the subject matter can get touchy and comparison to preceding tracks. The tragic story of a failed relationship plays through rather depressing, the guitars and drums backing the track set the perfect mood for deep lyrics that are vocally appealing, honing and exploiting raw emotions in a the rest of the album, a happy medium way that is surprisingly pleasing. between the right lyrics paired with an “A Lot Like Love” explores what love truly instrumental sound that you can tap your is, from a newborn baby’s smile to the smell foot to.
ALBUM GIRL
of the first summer rain, while running through a past relationship. “Just Add Moonlight” follows a similar approach, creatively tying love with the nighttime and a fast-paced tone that adds pep to the track. Perhaps the song with the greatest country melody on the album is “Revelations,” a tune that celebrates the discovery of lying, poking fun at the fact while tying in biblical references. From the tone to the instruments, the song is a true country anthem. 10,000 Towns concludes with a track that is both breathtaking and spine-tingling. “Prayer for the Road” seamlessly pulls at all the right emotions. The lyrics are transparent but hit a nerve. For anyone that has ever had to leave someone they love behind it serves as a near comfort, the song itself truly being a prayer for the road. Eli Young Band effectively incorporated a variety of sounds and lyrical approaches in 10,000 Towns to create an album that is spunky and rosy all while maintaining enough emotional ties and captivating lyrics to foster a perfect blend of cheery and real.
RATING 4/5
By Adrianna Velazquez incredibly positive vibe fueled by its relentless energy. The song’s encouraging hand-clapping chorus gives listeners the irresistible urge to sing and dance along. G I R L is a perfect combination of ‘90s R&B, a dash of funk and a splash of classic motown influence that bring the album alive. Grammy award-winning musician, The first song on the album, “Marilyn Pharrell Williams released G I R L, his first Monroe” strays away from the typical studio album in eight years. admiration for historical beauty queens like The album is a cohesive modern-pop Marilyn Monroe and Cleopatra. In fact, the masterpiece with each song carrying a snappy urban pop production focuses on pop-pulse that seems even more enticing Pharrell’s lack of admiration for them and than the next. his desire for a “different girl.” “Happy,” the album’s No. 1 hit, carries an “Brand New,” featuring Justin Timberlake unbelievably catchy beat. From the bass and is a strong potential single from the album. drum interplay at the beginning to the retro Their dueling falsettos accompanied by soul backup vocals, “Happy” gives off an power-of-love lyrics that are empowered by
throwback style beats makes this song a guaranteed fan-favorite. “Brand New” isn’t the only song on the album featuring a name that’ll make you listen twice. Aside from Timberlake, the album is full of star-studded cameos from Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys and Daft Punk. “Come and Get It Bae” featuring Miley Cyrus is surprisingly no target for critics. Its rather easy-going nature is no hit compared to others on the album. However, the two singers make a nice pair for the guitar-strumming track. Overall, G I R L is a success for Pharrell Williams whose innovation and creativity is evident in his work. The album strays away from heavy beats and utilizes organic orchestral sounds to bring his lyrically vivid songs alive. VERITY MAG|25
VANCE JOY The Fillmore Detroit, MI
Photos by Danyyil Nosovskiy
EMBLEM3
Rosemont Theatre Rosemont, IL
Photos by Adrianna Velazquez
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