mainland Words by AUTUMN HALLE Photos by CATHERINE POWELL
For Mainland, discovering their sound has been the journey of a lifetime. The band, comprised of Jordan Topf (Vocals/Guitar), Corey Mullee (Vocals/Keys) and Alex Pitta (Bass), found each other through chance and discovered a chemistry that laid the groundwork for their unique brand of energetic pop rock. Jordan, the founding member of the band, grew up with a smattering of influences from Michael Jackson to Jimi Hendrix. The latter of which became the jumping off 52
point that inspired him to pick-up the guitar and chase a dream of becoming a rockstar. “I was 15 when I started my first band, The Vox Jaguars, a garage punk band that eventually got signed and toured California,” he says. His first experience touring the West Coast led him to leave his small town California roots, and his first band, for New York City. He met Corey by chance at a party and they found their musical inspirations really jived. Corey’s musical education started at an early age, playing
piano at 7, and picking up a guitar a number of years later. “Rock music became a part of my musical identity at a young age, it really inspired me to pick-up a guitar and start learning,” Corey reflects on his early days. Despite consistently playing music throughout high school it was meeting Jordan that finally convinced him to start playing in a band. From there, fate stepped in again, when Alex and Jordan met while working at the same restaurant in New York. The two quickly bonded over their love of music
