Band Spotlight: Fairgreen

In a world full of fancy desserts sometimes you just want a nice slice of homemade apple pie. Fairgreen is that heaping slice of comforting emo rock that keeps you "coming back for more" no matter what trendy concoction is being served in the music industry. Their songs "Don't Look Back" and "Every Chance" offer simple heartfelt lyrics and beautifully crafted harmonies that pulsate oodles of raw emotion.

I caught up with the drummer, Kenny, to get a little insight on Fairgreen and their future aspirations.

1. What's the meaning behind your band's name?

Fairgreen is a street we used to practice on for awhile, we thought it was good for a band name.

2. How did growing up in Baltimore influence your music?

I think growing up in Baltimore was a good thing for us musically. Baltimore has a pretty good music scene and there are a lot of different styles and people here so we get to have a bigger outlook on people and music in general.

3. What are some important life lessons that you've learned from touring?

I think after touring you really get to see a lot of different people and different places and it makes you realize that there are a lot of bigger problems out in the world that are more important then some of the stupid little stuff that we call problems.


4. Are there any music artists or producers you are eager to collaborate with?

We would love to work with Relient K and Mark Townsend (Relient K's producer). They are a big influence on us and we love how they write.

5. Could you walk us through what the recording process has been like for your upcoming album?

The recording process for the new album is a lot different then the last one. This time we all went out and got home recording programs and we each record song ideas at home and then bring the song idea to the rest of the band and go from there. Then after messing with the song for awhile we go back and record what we got and listen to it for awhile before we ever actually record the real thing in the studio.

6. What are three goals you would like to see Fairgreen accomplish by this time next year?

1. We would like to have a new CD out.
2. Signed with a record label.
3. Another new music video.

***

For all the latest info on Fairgreen visit them at www.myspace.com/fairgreen

Band Spotlight: The Golden Sounds

Listening to The Golden Sounds makes you feel like you're on a magic carpet ride. Todd Evans' voice is calm yet moving, gently urging you on a contemplative musical journey. Along the road you'll encounter good doses of intriguing lyrics, gorgeous melodies and nicely placed cello accompaniments. If you only listen to one song, make sure it's "Whistles and Windchimes" because it's extremely impressive and the melody will linger with you throughout the day.

Todd was kind enough to share some insights with Think Virtue! about the inspiration behind his music, some of his favorite bands and his aspiration to compose some original material for films.

1. How do you strive for creativity and originality in your music?

That question is one I ask myself, and maybe that is what pushes me through. There's not a formula except for striving to get the feeling out of the music that I had in my head. Usually I know that I have accomplished that when the song or music gives me feelings I even didn't intend. It has a life of its own.

2. When did you start wearing lights for your performances? And what do they symbolize?

I pretty much wear them every time I play. First, it takes me out of my element, and second I think it takes the audience out of their element for a brief moment so they can hear the songs differently. Regardless of what the song is about, I want the music to bring some sort of light into people's eyes. So hey, if the music doesn't do it...maybe the coat of lights will.

3. Could you talk about the inspiration behind "Whistles and Windchimes"? And why was it so important for you to share this song with the world?

This is the first time I have ever officially answered this question, because the song itself does have a life of its own and does tend to grow into the mood of whatever the listener is at the moment. Originally, this was a very sarcastic song. After 9-11 our government started releasing all of those yellow and orange alerts to help us know if we were safe or not. I honestly couldn't believe that we all were falling for that false sense of security. If anything, it made you more anxious. We looked at the screen and listened to the radio and were like, "uh oh, orange alert...oh, wait...yellow...that's good." It was just a bunch of "whistles and windchimes" going off trying to make sure we calm our fears in the midst of the same threats we have always had. So like I said, very sarcastic. There are images in the song of bombs and missiles going off while we are nicely in bed almost singing us to sleep cause we are ignoring the threat because we "feel" safe. We blissfully watch everything go up in flames...cause hey..."it's all happy now with whistles and windchimes."

While that is the main inspiration, it also does touch on a lot of relationship issues and looking back at warning signs and realizing we should have listened to them. And it can be a very uplifting song, cause there is a part of us that has our own "Whistles and Windchimes"...not warnings...but beautiful sounds that pull us through difficult times. So a combination of a lot of things. Wow...that was a long answer. Sorry.

4. What music do you listen to when you're in an introspective mood?

The Golden Sounds! The Golden Sounds!...all right not really. I don't like listening to my voice that much. So I have a lot of stuff I listen to in those moments like...Neutral Milk Hotel, James, Sigur Ros, London Suede, Iron and Wine, The Violet Burning, Aphex Twin, Autechre...uh...well I could keep on with the list...but let's just say a little of everything.

5. What do you hope fans get from listening to The Golden Sounds?

My hope is that people find hope. Not every song is hopeful in its content, but it relates to painful moments and happy moments. I think having music that matches things that goes on in your life brings hope. It will let you cry with it or let you feel good with it. But the point is that no one is alone.

6. Would you be interested in scoring soundtracks for some independent films?

Absolutely. Some of The Golden Sounds songs are being looked at for some TV shows but I would love to write specifically for something...that would be very interesting.

7. Anything else that you'd like to add?

I would like to add 4+4 because it equals 8...and I like the number 8.
I like 7 too...but 4+4 does not equal 7.

***

For more information on The Golden Sounds you can visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/thegoldensounds or www.thegoldensounds.com

Band Spotlight: Immanu el

If sunsets had soundtracks they would sound a lot like Immanu el. Their dramatic guitar melodies and piercing vocals fill you with a rush of emotions as they awaken something deeply spiritual in you and wrap you in a musical journey of the human condition.

Immanu el is a Swedish post-rock band with a growing fan base spanning from Europe to Asia and now the United States. Their debut album They'll Come, They Come was released on And The Sound Records (Sweden) and Thomason Sounds (Japan). Fans of mainstream acts like Explosions in the Sky and Sigur Ros will enjoy Immanu el's arrival to the music scene. With stand out tracks like "Astral Days", "Under Your Wings I'll Hide" and "In Valleys" Immanu el proves that they have something special to bring to the world of independent music. But how can they not? With a name like Immanu el, which means "with us is God" in Hebrew you can definitely feel a Heavenly power in their sound. But don't try to box them into a cookie-cutter label of what a "post-rock" band should be. Their music and artistry speaks for itself.

The lead singer, Claes Strängberg, was generous enough to answer a few of my questions about the band and his take on the post-rock music scene.

1. How do you go about creating new songs? What's your process like?

Basically I compose the songs at home or in the studio and we'll take that finished idea and arrange it together when we rehearse. My brother wrote a couple of the songs as well... i guess we're not the band that sits down for hours and jam to find something, we work better out of finished ideas someone created at home. When we come to the point where the arrangements feel good we start to work with the lyrics and the vocals.

2. What are some interesting things you've learned from touring all over the world?

Well this far we've only made one European tour (even though we have two more scheduled and a further one being planned). Of course you learn a lot about how the music industry works and how to handle issues related to that while being on the road. I also think the most interesting part is that you learn about how you and your bandmates work together under pressure and how to handle social issues as well. Its very important that you work well together as a group.

We also got to learn many different kinds of cheese and beer, haha.

3. What epitomizes a great live performance? And what’s your approach to performing on stage?

I think that you need to stay true and believe in what you do, when you're being honest to your music there is so much easier and natural to feel some kind of a connection with your audience. If you radiate that kind of simple honesty then I think you're halfway there.

4. What do you think about the state of post-rock music?

I must say that I'm a little bit fed up with post-rock sometimes, even though I still listen a lot to it. Some post-rock bands make music I simply can't live without but at the same time there are a lot of bands iIdont really like because I can't feel that special tension in the music. I like the ideas of mixing the original sound and effects of post-rock with a more direct and energetic sound.

5. Have you noticed a difference in how your music is embraced between Europe, Japan and the USA?

Not really, its basically the same and I'm kind of happy with that. Somehow the music of ours reflects the same thoughts and feelings wherever we go and for that I'm very grateful. I just hope we get the chance to actually go to the US and Asia for touring as well, then I would definitely know more about it.

6. What core beliefs have you promised your bandmates that you would stay true to?

I would say there aren't any promises like that...it would in that case be to always make the music we really feel like doing and not being that dependent on what people think about it.

7. What's the biggest goal you want the band to accomplish by next year?

That must be to finish the new material for the next record and to get to the point when you feel very good about it. We already made a couple of new songs and got more ideas coming up.

8. Lastly, anything else you'd like to share?

Well, we just posted our tour dates for summer/fall at MySpace. If you or somebody else are interested in experiencing us live you should go and take a look!

9. One last question, are you guys Christian?

I am, some of us are but I couldn't speak for everyone. We're not a Christian band (if there are any such thing), more like a band with a couple of Christians in it.

Band Spotlight: The Undeserving

The Undeserving is the kind of band that gives you butterflies.

This four-piece rock band out of Ohio makes your stomach flutter with their piercing lyrics, dreamy guitar melodies and mesmerizing vocals. They sing of love, self-discovery, friendship, purpose and hope. There's a graceful innocence and depth to their sound that nourishes your spirit like only good music can.

The one shocker is that they're unsigned. But I'm sure that won't last for long. With exceptional tracks like "Almost Alive", "There for You" and "Something to Hope For" I can easily imagine their music being played in an indie film or finding its way on a soundtrack for music-friendly shows like Grey's Anatomy or One Tree Hill.

I was able to catch up with the lead singer Clay Kirchenbauer and ask him a few questions.

1. What's your songwriting process like?
Well. It's pretty simple. Brennan or I will get an idea and we'll develop until it's time to go to the studio.

2. What's "your something to hope for"? Your source of hope in hard times?
Really, I don't listen to my own music much. I wrote that song for other people to get hope from.

3. What does the phrase "human condition" mean to you?
To me it's the state of mind of a human being

4. What epitomizes a great live performance? And what’s your approach to performing on stage?
To me a great performance starts with great songs. If the artist can convey those songs in a raw emotional way, thats great. As far as for us we just try to be as real as possible on stage.

5. What do you think about the current state of the music industry?
I think that the reason sales are down is not only because of piracy, but because there's a ton of bad music out there. We just try to do our best to write songs people can relate to.

6. What are you looking for in a record label?
Well that's a good question. We just tried to find people we could relate to, and who shared our vision for our songs. More news regarding this soon.

7. Upon success, what core beliefs have you promised your bandmates that you would stay true to?
I think it's most important to not get caught up in all the glitz and glamor of the industry. There's a lot less than you think. We just try to keep our heads on straight and make the best music we can.

8. Lastly, anything else you would like to share?
Sure, I'd like to thank everyone for their support, and stay in touch! Thanks.

Band Spotlight: Mono

Mono is a Japanese band and their music is so beautiful and soul-stirring it doesn't need any lyrics.

Their guitar melodies tells stories all by themselves, leading you toward deep reflection while massaging your mind with lingering notes and well placed crescendos. Bands like Mono are exactly why the repeat button on your iPod or CD player was created because you can listen to their songs over and over again and still want more.

If you enjoy Mono then check out their label mates on Temporary Residence Limited.

Band Spotlight: NoonDaySun

Some people may think MySpace is a big waste of time, and it can be. But then there are times when you're searching through the sludge of music pages that you find a band that really sparkles. And NoonDaySun is one of those sparkling bands. They've even got a song title to prove it.

Their lyrics are reminiscent of Switchfoot's earlier releases, where they present soul searching concepts that make you think alongside tantalizing heartfelt vocals. They're on an independent record label now, but if they keep on cultivating their sound and explore songs with more social justice themes in a few years time they could be on a major label or make a major label out of their current one.

You can check out a brief write-up I did on them in the current issue of the Christian Rock Report on page 6 titled "NoonDay Sun Heats Up". And stop by their MySpace page and say "Hi!" or whatever it is you would say to a band on their comment section.