Issue 13 // APRIL 2017
A STORY TOLD
+ 3 PM + BENCHMARKS + LAZARUS WILDE + MORE!
White Noise (noun) - A steady, unobtrusive sound, as an electronically produced drone or the sound of rain, used to mask or obliterate unwanted sounds.
S TA F F / / APRIL Co-Founder - Art Director Crisanne Glasser Co-Founder - Features Editor Danielle Gittleman Contributing Writers Casey Wolfe, Gianluca D’Elia, Danielle Gittleman, Emily Klingman, Rebecca Panico, Nicole Cortese Contributing Photographers Sheri Berman, Alyssa Kromelis, Crisanne Glasser, Sam Polonsky, Dani Sacco We are currently looking to expand our team. If you would like to become a contributor to WHITE NOISE ZINE, please contact either crissy@whitenoisezine. com or danielle@whitenoisezine.com
Hi Everyone! Lucky issue number thirteen is in the books. It is absolutely insane how fast this year is going by. Before you know it, it’ll be summertime, and one of the busiest touring periods of the year. Make sure you stick with us for exciting news, exclusive interviews and reviews on the newest music. This issue we had the chance to chat with 3 PM, A Story Told, Benchmarks and Lazarus Wilde. We caught up with them and talked new music, past, present and future. We also have some awesome reviews on A Will Away, Stories Through Storms, Among Legends and even Bebe Rexha — a little something for everyone! As always, we’re excited to share what we have up our sleeves with you guys. We love what we do, and we hope you enjoy this new issue! See you in June! xo
CONTENTS 3 PM
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Benchmarks
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Lazarus Wilde
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A Story Told
10
Album Reviews
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3 pm bigger, faster, and stronger Words by Rebecca Panico // Photo Courtesy of 3 PM
Baltimore’s
punk pop trio 3 PM may always keep the backstory of the band’s name private, but their new vocalist revealed just about everything as he posed nude in an online video teasing big plans for the group. “We’ve stripped 3 PM down to its core and have been reimagined in a new light,” said vocalist Aaron O’Connor as he stood behind an all-too-conveniently placed desk lamp. “We are bigger and faster and stronger than ever. Prepare for new music, a new style — and overall — a 3 PM as you have never seen before.” The band’s new style can be partly attributed to adding O’Connor’s upbeat, energetic vocals after bassist and lead singer Brennan Stark’s exit. The two remaining members — Brandon Millman and Scott Montgomery — scoured the internet before finally landing on O’connor. The three are now relentlessly touring and working on a third full-length album. “It’s really crazy because we talked for a bit and then two weeks later we met up with him in his home of Atlanta,” said Millman, who plays drums. “We jammed together, hung out for a few days, and we all knew right away that it was the right fit so we flew him up to Baltimore for a second meeting a few weeks later where we finalized our decision.” 3 PM have been acquainting fans with O’Connor through YouTube covers, where he once channeled Brendon Urie in a cover of “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At the Disco. “Aaron is everything 3 PM needed to be complete,” said Montgomery, who plays guitar. “Brennan decided that this life wasn’t for him anymore and we respect his decision to part ways.” The shakeup comes on the heels of playing as the BBQ band for the 2015 Vans Warped Tour. Only one BBQ band is chosen for for the full-length of the tour in exchange for serving food to other tour bands at night. “We got to promote our music, face to face, with hundreds of thousands of fans throughout the tour,” said Millman. “We took complete advantage of that opportunity because you can’t get that kind of exposure anywhere else.” The band credits the tour with their second full-length album, Slow Me Down, reaching No. 27 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums. 3 PM has no exact release date for the third album, but the band members are shooting for some time later this year, said lead vocalist O’Connor. The group teamed up with Matt Squire — who’s formerly worked with Panic!, All Time Low and Ariana Grande — to produce their junior album. “Matt is one of the coolest guys we have ever worked with,” said Montgomery. “On top of being incredibly talented, he’s also very easy to talk to and give suggestions to.” Millman said 3 PM was influenced by new genres while recording the album and that it will be “far above anything” fans have heard from them in the past. In the meantime, 3 PM wrapped up an intimate house party tour that ran from mid-January to the end of February. The trio started their #OMGTour shortly thereafter, playing 13 shows in states including Georgia and Pennsylvania. “We were able to book a good amount of show and on the days we did not have a show, we promoted our band at Twenty One Pilots concerts,” said O’Connor. “The fans that we have played for so far have been very generous and have offered us places to stay for the night!” The band has also kept busy by running a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their upcoming album. They auctioned off off autographs, early digital downloads, and a private, three-song live Skype performance. For a mere $10,000, the band would reveal what 3 PM means (before signing a confidentiality release, that is.) That had no takers. But for good measure, we at White Noise thought we’d just ask. “I believe that was the $10,000 reward,” said O’Connor, half-jokingly referring to the Kickstarter campaign. “As of right now we have no plans to reveal what 3 PM stands for. You’re just going to have to wait and see what we do next!” http://whitenoisezine.com
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BENCHMARKS Real world nostalgia words by rebecca panico Photo Courtesy of Benchmarks
Benchmarks,
a three-piece Nashville-based band, has gone through many transformations in its sound: from cowpunk, to alt-country
and now to alternative rock. “As much as I love this record we’re about to put out, I feel like it’s still a stepping stone,” said vocalist Todd Farrell, Jr. of the band’s first LP titled Our Undivided Attention. “We found our sound on this record, and I’m really excited to explore where we can take it with the next one.” Benchmarks brings a bit of Southern charm to one of the 90s quintessential alternative bands, Jimmy Eat World. Farrell said Benchmarks’ nostalgic sound is still relevant today because it brings back his generation to “simpler” times. “People love nostalgia, and I think that has a lot to do with how fast our world is changing,” he said. “The 90s will always hold a special place for people because it was the last era before the world started to really get small. Pre-9/11, pre-Internet, it’s the last glimpse of ‘simpler’ times for our generation…” 90s alternative fans shouldn’t let the “cowpunk” or “alt-country” genre turn them off to this band. All of Benchmarks’ members, including Matt Rewinski on bass and Jack Whitis on drums, have played in metal, punk, ska or hardcore bands. Farrell even cites Iron Maiden and Counting Crows as musical inspirations. “Hopefully we’re making music that just sounds like a melting pot of things we like, or it could very well be a terrible experiment gone wrong,” Farrell added. “Either way, there’s a lot of inspiration from all over the place in this band.” The band released two singles ahead of its new album, which became available on March 24. “Frames” and “Let You Down” feature Farrell’s distinct Southern drawl over grungy yet catchy chords. “Our Undivided Attention” was was tracked and edited by the band and mixed by Jay Maas, who’s worked with indie bands like Somos and hardcore acts such as Defeater. It took over a year to record the album during after-hour sessions at a studio in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. The band emailed files to Maas, who works out of Boston, to get the project completed. “We started in December of 2015, and finished around July of 2016,” Farrell said. “The delay was caused mostly by me being on the road with my other band (Two Cow Garage) and just having to be in the real world, work [...] and all of that while also trying to finish the record. That was why we decided to get someone else on board to mix, because we just didn’t have the time or mental energy to do it ourselves.” The latest release follows American Night, a six-song EP from 2015 that heralded a new direction for Benchmarks. “The American Night EP was sort of the bridge between what our band used to be (Todd Farrell Jr. & the Dirty Birds - a more cowpunk/alt-country thing), and what we are now,” Farrell said in an email. “The new record is more of a straight up rock record, and further explores dynamics and sound of what rock music is/can be.” Benchmarks is set to play an 11-show tour in April. Farrell is going to hit the road again with his other band, Two Cow Garage, touring the New England area before playing Pouzza Fest. Afterwards,
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Connect with Benchmarks /benchmarksmusic
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LAZARUS WILDE Interview by Rebecca Panico // Photo Courtesy of Carry the 4
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WNZ: CONGRATS ON THE UPCOMING ALBUM RELEASE FOR BREATHE NOW. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ALBUM? WHAT IS THE DIRECTION/ THEME FOR THIS ALBUM? Sure thing, this record covers a variety of mental health issues such as Bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, rumination disorder, and self-reflection/ anxiety disorder.
an isolating feeling can also be a shared feeling. There is a comfort in knowing you are truly not alone.
WNZ: YOUR SINGLE, “SWALLOW AND THE PILLS,” IS LYRICALLY JARRING AND FEATURES MORE FALSETTO VOCALS. HOW HAS THE RECEPTION BEEN SO FAR? I’ve been getting some great reactions from it online and at my shows. I’ve recently had a woman write me letter telling me how she came across my song “Swallow & The Pills” and how it really spoke to her and saved her. She was a going through a serious depressive state and was having suicidal thoughts and that the song made her feel like she wasn’t alone in this battle. It really touched me that this person reached out to me and had such a connection to this particular track. I told this person she could reach out to me any time she needed a friend to listen.
WNZ: WE’RE REALLY INTRIGUED ABOUT THE LAST TRACK ON YOUR ALBUM, “-- ____ --“ WHERE DID THE TITLE COME FROM? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Copyright infringements would not allow me to use the straight across emoji so instead I came up with my own version. On a serious note though when you hit your limit and you’re frustrated there’s a moment when you close your eyes and you take a deep breath. That was the moment I was trying to capture with a symbol. At least that’s what i was trying to go for but it might just look like some weird lines!
WNZ: HOW IS THIS LP COMPARED TO YOUR SELF-TITLED EP FROM 2016? I would say this LP is an extension of the EP as far as the lyrical message goes it just gets a little more in depth. As for the production i was more methodical and striving for a more clean sound oppose to the EP where it had a more raw laid back feel to it.
WNZ: WHAT DO YOU WANT LISTENERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR MUSIC? How they take away from listening to my songs is a personal experience between them and the song.
WNZ: YOU’VE FRONTED A FEW BANDS IN THE PAST. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GO OFF AND START THIS PROJECT ON YOUR OWN? I’ve always written songs and only have shared them with friends and family. There came a point when some friends suggested that i showcased this different side to me. I wanted to step away from the traditional band life and let people into my world.
WNZ: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AFTER THE WNZ: YOU TOUCH ON MANY SUBJECTS ALBUM? WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT? SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND SELFI’ve already started writing for my next record REFLECTION. WHAT MADE YOU WANT and have been in talks with a couple different TO WRITE ABOUT SUCH SENSITIVE AND instrumentalist who i would like to incorporate on IMPORTANT TOPICS? the next record. To bring awareness not just as generalized topic forum but, to express to people who are actually WNZ: DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO TOUR? struggling with mental illness themselves. I want WHERE CAN FANS CATCH YOU? to write songs so they know they’re not alone I’ll be doing a burst of weekend tours all of April, and that it is not as black and white as some May & June. My first leg of shows following people may think. Depression is melancholy but the release of my record will be in Albany, GA, there’s also a beauty in it that gets exposed when Durham, NC, Raleigh, NC, Tallahassee, FL. Fans you’re feeling such raw emotion. It’s an isolating can see my list of dates on lazaruswilde.com and feeling but it’s important to me to express that or follow me on BANDSINTOWN. http://whitenoisezine.com 9
A story told Riding a wave to success Words by Gianluca D’Elia // Photo Courtesy of A Story Told
Almost
a year after releasing their debut album Keep Watch, A Story Told are riding a wave of success — but it doesn’t mean they’ve stopped
working hard. The five-piece group from West Virginia has been traveling the country, making music videos and working on new music. They even made an appearance at the Vans Warped Tour in 2016. “The reception has been incredible to say the least,” said vocalist Alex Chaney. “It was our first ‘major’ release and I think the amount of positive reception has kind of blown our minds and was much more than we anticipated. Obviously when you release a record you have high hopes for something you’ve put so much heart into, but to see it become what it has, it’s unreal.” Most recently, the band released a soulful, emotional music video for “Weather,” the last of the three singles off of Keep Watch. “We really wanted to create a video that felt in line and matched the song emotionally,” said Chaney. “We knew we wanted it to feel real or raw.” Initially, the band was torn between making a music video that featured only themselves, or one that featured another actor in it. “We were back and forth whether or not it was necessary for the actress in the video. But she plays such an important part in the actual song and now that we’ve seen and released the video, it’s hard to imagine us doing it without her in it.” Though it’s just barely been a year since the release of Keep Watch, A Story Told is already working on new material. “Of course you can’t walk away mentally from songwriting completely,” Chaney said. “We’re always writing and thinking about new ideas. I would say around August or September of last year, we really started diving into it again with writing for a new record.” The band took a short “mental break” from writing after they released Keep Watch, and then spent most of the past year touring. While out on the road, A Story Told appeared at Warped Tour in Pittsburgh over the summer. “It was such a quality experience for us,” Chaney recalled. “We got to see how other bands do it, the nature of warped tour, and be around so many incredible people that are passionate about music and community. We would play it again in a heartbeat.” Right now, the band is still touring the U.S. and meeting their growing fanbase. “We actually have a good following in some bigger cities like Detroit, Nashville, and Cincinnati that we’re finally hitting this spring,” Chaney said. “It’s always good to be out on the road. We’re lining up some shows for the summer that hit Baltimore, Philly, Chicago and a few others. We’d love to get out to the west coast and overseas before it’s all said and done.” Through all of the new success for A Story Told over the past year, the band said their goal still remains the same as they keep growing. “The goal for us has always been to create the music we want, that we’re passionate about, and for our music to impact people the same way some of our favorite artists have impacted us.”
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A WILL AWAY
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Here Again
U Words by Danielle Gittleman
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Connecticut rockers A Will Away have recently released their newest album, Here Again through Triple Crown Records. The album features 13 amazing tracks, making this album one of the best I’ve heard in awhile. Here Again kicks off with the title track. Full of energy and emotion, this song kicks off the tone of the album. I love when there is a song on an album that incorporates the LP’s title and this song makes sure to do that, repeating “we’ll never be here again,” throughout the song. Following the title track is “Pay Raise,” a track that I absolutely loved. This song really stuck out to me and is definitely one of my favorites off of the album. I really loved the vocals on this song — especially during the chorus. I would really like to hear this song live, I feel like it would definitely be a crowd favorite during a live set. “Chemicals” is a really short song, clocking in at a minute and a half. The track is much slower compared to the opening tracks and to me, it really feels like this song is meant to be more of a transition song on the album. It brings you down from the high energy of the first few songs and flows seamlessly into the next song, “Crochet.” “Crochet” is also a little more low-key but it really builds up intensity as it goes on with a nice bean and catchy chorus. I really enjoyed the intro of “Caroline,” and the song as a whole. I felt like this song had so much emotion behind it, and was meant for someone really important — the real Caroline or someone else. “Better Reluctant” was another one of my favorite tracks on Here Again. I thought the vocals on this song were really outstanding and catchy. “Better Reluctant” is one of those songs that you just want to listen to over and over again. Much like “Chemicals,” “Summon Your Savior” is another really short, slower song. It, too, is also really meaningful and full of raw emotion. To me, the song felt like a disguised cry for help, as it repeats “No I don’t want your help,” over and over again. As for “Gravity,” I really enjoyed the flow of the track. I loved how it went from high energy to a really more mellow sound, and back again. Bringing the album to a close is “Something Special.” This track is mostly acoustic, but like many other songs on the album, it eventually builds up. I admired the meaningful lyrics, and how it felt like it was being sung directly to someone like in “Caroline.” I’m not sure that I would’ve picked this song to end the album, but I still loved it nonetheless. Overall, I loved this album. There was not one song that I really didn’t like out of all 13 tracks. If you haven’t really listened to A Will Away before, I suggest you give Here Again a spin you really won’t be disappointed. 12 http://whitenoisezine.com
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AMONG LEGENDS Starting Over
U Words by Emily Klingman
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Easygoing punk vibes pour out of Starting Over the newest EP from Canadian pop-punk rockers Among Legends. Full of steady drums and guitars, the band has made a great EP to both relax and rock out to. The melodic and laid-back vocals of lead singer Mitchell Buchanan fade into the instrumentals to round out the mood and sound. In the EP’s first track, “It Doesn’t Matter What We Do,” the band really cements the easygoing vibes with the vocals and lyrics. Singing about how “You and I can take this town/Or just stay home on our own,” they match the lyrics with strong guitars and steady drums. “Final Curtain Call” shifts gears at the start, with a heavier guitar riff opening the track. It eases back down to chill vibes again when the vocals come in. Though the track picks back up at the end, the lyrics make it sound as if the overall instrumentals should be a little more aggressive to match the opening riff. Steady drums, easygoing guitars and vocals come back again for “Respirations.” The vocals are extra melodic in this track, which blend nicely with the instrumentals. “Half Past Nine” is the most generic sounding of the EP’s tracks, though it still has the band’s relaxed vocals and matching instruments. The track has the pop-punk classic breakdowns between verses and the chorus, but Among Legend’s still manages to make it their own. “Renegade” starts off with another steady tempo before shifting to a repeated guitar riff and drum beat followed by a blast of fast-paced guitars and drums. With relaxed vocals connecting the dynamic tempos and beats, the band nails another frantic punk blast at the closing of the track. Overall I really liked Starting Over. Among Legends made a great EP full of songs that you could either jam out to or put on in the background for some low key listening. It’s interesting to hear how well those two go together, and the band completely nails the mix.
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BEBE REXHA
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All Your Fault: Part 1
U Words by Gianluca D’Elia
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The past two years have positioned Bebe Rexha for success. In addition to making waves with her 2015 EP I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, she’s appeared on songs with Nicki Minaj, G-Eazy, Martin Garrix and David Guetta. So, even if you’ve never heard of her, you’ve probably heard her. But now, Rexha gets the spotlight to herself on the first half of her debut album, All Your Fault: Part 1, which was released on Feb. 17. All Your Fault provides a collection songs that are similar in style to her collaborations, but this time, it’s all about Bebe. The Albanian-American singer-songwriter and Brooklyn native, born Bleta Rexha, has been behind the scenes of pop music since 2013, writing songs for other artists — most notably, “Monster” by Eminem and Rihanna. In All Your Fault, Bebe Rexha shines as a songwriter and shows off her talent for writing party anthems and pop bangers. Although this album came out in February, some of these songs feel like potential summer hits. Much like “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony, Bebe Rexha’s collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, “Bad Bitch,” is the epitome of a windows-down summer anthem you play on the way to the beach. There’s no doubt 2017 is going to be the year of pop jams about fake friendships. First, we had “FAB,” that sassy single from JoJo’s comeback album that calls out all the “fake ass bitches.” And now we also have “F.F.F.,” an independence anthem that features G-Eazy, where Rexha proudly declares, “F*** fake friends, we don’t need them.” On “Atmosphere,” “I Got You,” and “Gateway Drug,” Bebe shines on her own, collaborationfree, and shows off her prowess as a rising solo star. The song on the album that stands out the most is “Small Doses,” a song about loving someone but not being able to fully handle them all the time. The song samples the melody of violinist Lindsey Stirling’s song “First Light,” and the violins and explosive chorus make it truly unique. Thanks to her songwriting prowess, Rexha is successful in writing club-worthy, radio-accessible songs that are also lyrically insightful and relevant. On All Your Fault: Pt. 1, Bebe rightfully claims electropop stardom with a set of groovy, danceable tracks with razor-sharp lyrics that tackle friendships, relationships and just being a badass in general. It’s the perfect chance to get to know Bebe beyond her feature credits. Now, let’s see what she has in store for Part 2 this April.
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STORIES THROUGH STORMS
What Keeps Me Up at Night
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Words by Casey Wolfe
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Metalcore band Stories Through Storms recently released their EP, What Keeps Me Up at Night. The dual frontman band from Kansas starts the album off slowly with a soft tempo and moderate pace in “Dead and Gone,” which quickly picks up energy during the first verse. The hollow sound affects add to the intensity of the song, like a more hardcore 30 Seconds to Mars song. “Model 9” starts out with elevator music building into their metalcore sound that listeners have by now become accustomed to. However the screaming stops during the chorus and the vocalists sing, “I don’t, wanna fight no I don’t wanna struggle for my whole life, I just want to find, find my place and do whats right, forever in a cage I’m trapped inside my own mind, so take me away take me away from the nine to five.” It’s reflective of so many young adults facing the same monotonous life, whether it’s about work or home life. “Rage” sounds exactly like the title suggests, full of anger and anxiety. It’s an inner struggle to control the vocalists’ insides from coming outside of their bodies in an explosion of negative emotion. The band puts all of their energy into this song as it pulsates through the ears of listeners who are likely equally as passionate. “The Abuser” starts out softer than the rest of the tracks on this EP, but that doesn’t last long. It quickly erupts into their hardcore vocals, but slows down to almost a whisper just as quickly. The back and forth from hardcore to soft vocals creates a palpable tension for listeners that is different, but welcomed. Like an abuser, the song goes between this gentle sound and an angry, empowered one throughout the entire song. “The Summoning” is the last track on the EP, and it goes out with a bang. It starts out with spoken words, “It will destroy you too, one day, this rain which drives you, you think you kill them all it will go away. It won’t. You have to fight it in the place where it is strongest, where it all began…” and ends immediately after. A haunting conclusion to an EP filled with deeply felt vengeance and struggle. Stories Through Storms released a lot of feeling with this EP, which is clearly conveyed through each track. The band aims to tell a story and succeeds in that mission. While it is a personal story, the emotion behind it is something listeners can identify with. What Keeps Me Up at Night is a story that the band clearly has carried through their own storms.
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