Hot on the heels of their latest EP, rom-coms + take-out, The Vaughns stop by Inside Music to discuss their career so far.
Every artist we know is facing a brave new world in 2021. After a year without performances, which is how many make a living from their music, musicians must embrace today’s reality or risk extinction. That story is universal, but The Vaughns have faced more than a pandemic since their last album was released, and today they’re sharing that journey with us.
rom-coms + take-out, The Vaughn’s new EP, is the product of two years where almost nothing went as planned. The group saw their membership split in half, a pandemic made touring impossible, and a break-up brought new lessons in growth that were welcomed, but not anticipated. The result is a three-song collection that finds hope by working through the pain of loss and change. It’s a record that reminds us that it’s okay not to be okay, which is what many of us need to hear right now.
In this episode of Inside Music, recent Equal Vision Records signees The Vaughns chat with host James Shotwell about everything that led them to where they are today. They discuss the uncertain future of live music, processing heartache through song, and landing a deal with the legendary alternative label Equal Vision Records.
Inside Music is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.
Ahead of his band Be Well’s new album, scene staple Brian McTernan stops by Inside Music to speak on creativity and aging.
Brian McTernan needs no introduction, but we’ll give him one anyway. Brian is a producer and musician whose work in the alternative scene has influenced some of the most notable records of the last twenty years. Everyone from Texas Is The Reason to Darkest Hour, Circa Survive, Sharptooth, and more owe a few thanks to Brian for his work behind the boards. But like all great creatives, Brian has stories he wants to share, and that’s what people get on the new album from his incredible hardcore band, Be Well.
The heavier side of alternative music is sometimes written off as being reserved for young people. When teenage angst meets the struggle to survive adulthood, creativity blossoms in a unique way that often expresses itself through heavy music. Many of the greatest hardcore albums are written by people in their late teens and early twenties who are speaking to experiences recognized by their peers. Those same listeners age, just like the musicians, but the embrace of heavy music often fades along the way.
Be Well is an exception. While their music can and will inspire young listeners, the band’s work speaks directly to the lives of those deep into adulthood. The group’s latest record, The Weight And The Cost, tackles the frustrations of parenting alongside the constant struggle to understand ourselves. It’s in McTernan’s ability to speak on both topics that magic is found, and the resulting recordings are sure to provide comfort to many during these uncertain times.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, Brian chats with host James Shotwell about his history in production and how the challenges of creative expression change with age. The pair also discuss the influence of Brian’s former band, Battery, as well as the way his work will be remembered in the years to come.
Ahead of his band’s sophomore record release, Sleep On It guitarist and vocalist TJ Horansky stops by Inside Music to share his story.
Kanye West once wrote that the midwest is young and restless. The Chicago native probably had himself in mind when jotting that line onto paper, but it applies to Sleep On It as much as anyone. The four-piece pop-rock group has made a name for themselves in a genre plagued by knockoff bands and one-hit wonders who never have lasting careers. The band’s latest record, Pride & Disaster, is a testament to growing up and moving on. It’s the soundtrack to realizing you can be more than you ever thought possible, which is precisely the message many people need today.
TJ Horansky has been with Sleep On It from day one, and his unique outlook on life has helped shape the band’s material. Horansky appreciates where he came from and the people who helped him reach his dreams as much as he looks forward to all that life still has to offer. He’s an individual capable of living in the moment without letting the present blind him from the things that lie on the horizon, and today he shares his current perspective on existence with our loyal listeners.
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On this episode of Inside Music, which is the first to debut on our official Spotify feed, Horansky tells the story behind Sleep On It’s upcoming album with host James Shotwell. He also shares the lessons learned from the group’s last record, as well as how changing trends in the industry have informed the band’s approach to promoting their latest material. You can stream the conversation below or on Spotify, YouTube, and any major podcast platform.
Pride & Disaster, Sleep On It’s second full-length record, arrives September 13 through Equal Vision Records. Pre-order a copy on vinyl while supplies last.
Equal Vision Records is seeking a Social Media Manager/Publicity Coordinator to join our team. Must be LA-based. Resumes can be sent to lisa.garelick@equalvision.com
Please read the full job description below BEFORE applying:
Responsibilities
• Develop and execute marketing strategy for artists’ music and music-related products across the EVR roster alongside the Product Manager. These include but are not limited to: single / EP / albums, music videos and video content, merchandise and direct-to-consumer business.
• Help guide and execute creative materials and original content specific to each campaign.• Communicate artist and release info to third party publicists.
• Monitor, analyze and communicate PR results with internal team and artists/management.
• Evaluate opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships.
• Maintain a keen understanding of trends affecting artists/releases and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy.
• Coordinate press photo shoots, bios, other assets.
• Run the Equal Vision social media sites, focusing on new content and growth.• Work directly with artists and management to help grow the social media presence of the artists on the EVR roster.
Qualifications
• Strong oral/written communication skills.
• An in-depth understanding of social media platforms, industry trends, music publicity, new technologies and digital music services.
• At least 2 years experience in publicity, marketing and/or social media management within the music community.
• Extensive knowledge of and passion for music.
• Copywriting skills; ability to write for multiple campaigns & artists simultaneously.
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Experience running reports and analyzing data from social platforms.
Looking for additional employment opportunities? Try our Music Industry Job Board, which is updated every Monday.
Inside Music is a podcast about the lives of professionals in the music business. Each week, host James Shotwell chats with an artist or industry tastemaker to learn how anyone can navigate the world of entertainment.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell chats with Cory Lockwood, vocalist for the band A Lot Like Birds. Fans of alternative rock are likely familiar with that name already, but for those who have yet to discover A Lot Like Birds picture a rock band unafraid to push themselves and their audience with each new release. That is what has always made A Lot Like Bird a band worth investing in, and their upcoming record – Divisi – is no exception.
Cory and James chat largely about the four years that have passed since the last A Lot Like Birds album and all the changes that have occurred in that time. Divisi is the first record from the band where Cory handles lead vocal duties, and that also plays a large factor in our conversation.
Really though, this episode is about perseverance and finding a way to live with yourself. A Lot Like Birds have learned what so many artists never do, and that is the simple fact that all success starts with personal satisfaction. You can rest assured if they are releasing something it is the best they could create and they absolutely love it. Their passion breeds their fans’ passion, and the support from their fans pushes them forward.
The music on this week’s episode of Inside Music is pulled from A Lot Like Birds’ new album, Divisi, which arrives in stores on May 5. The song we have chosen is titled “For Shelley (Unheard)” and we think it gives you a good idea of what the band is going with this record.
You can subscribe to and review Inside Music on iTunes. The show can also be found on Soundcloud and the Stitcher app.
If you’re anything like me, you probably started the day by recognizing that the start of a new work week had indeed arrived and then immediately began shaking your fists at the sky in anger. Monday is rarely anyone’s favorite day, and from what I have seen firsthand it feels safe to say it’s the one day of the week some people outright hate. I guess to them the arrival of the work week symbolizes the end of their quote/unquote freedom, and as a result they head into the office/factory/restaurant/store with a negative outlook already on their mind. This leads to bad attitudes, which only makes the experience of being at work worse, and for some reason it also seems to make time slow to a crawl. We’re not about that life, and we hope this post can do the same you that the song contained within it did for us.
Every year we are blessed with one or two records that offer us a sign of where things may be headed in the best possible way. You know the kind of release I’m talking about and the types of bands capable of creating such releases. These are the artists who find a way to make a large number of people feel as if their life was somehow incomplete before their music came into existence, and they often encapsulate very specific periods in our life. They may manage to do it again and again with future releases, but none of that matters because this release is good in that way you wish everything were good, and I have a feeling you’ll be feeling this way about the new record from Waterparks when it arrives this Friday.
If I have learned anything about the difference between artists destined for stardom and those almost certain to fail it’s that those who eventually find success tend to have studied those who came before them. A lot of things change in this industry, but just as many stay the same. The key to making your mark as an artist or professional is to build on what has worked for others while simultaneously giving things your own personal spin. Waterparks borrow ideas and maybe one or two chord progressions from their pop-punk heroes to create an immediately infectious take on hopeless romantic rock songs that simply do not know how to quit. Just give their album opener a spin and see if you don’t understand what I am trying to express:
“I was bitter, but I’m fine now” might as well be the motto of the current generation of teens and twenty-somethings currently searching for their place in the world. We all like to think the world is out to get us, but even when we realize that is not true the path to happiness is one riddled with pitfalls that can catch anyone off guard. The only way to keep sane in this crazy thing called reality is to express yourself and align your journey with others you believe to share a similar perspective on life. Maybe your connection lasts a night or a lifetime, but regardless of its longevity at least you can experience the power of two passionate hearts coming together in hopes of finding a little peace amidst the chaos of day-to-day life. That is the kind of thing the music of Waterparks personifies, and it plays like a jolt of pure energy to your system when their work hits your ears.
Positive progression for a genre or business is rarely the work of one person. Progress is something that happens very slowly at first and then all at once, switching just as the numerous contributions from all the creative people working to better their own corner of the music go from being unique ideas to industry standards. I don’t know when the culture will shift so that the ideas and themes of Waterparks’ music become something every band in their genre attempts to emulate, but when you listen to the band’s new album you get the feeling that change is not far away. With a little luck and a lot of support from their dedicated followers, Waterparks could easily be the next big thing by the time next year, if not sooner.
With this in mind, I want to urge you to head into this week looking for an opportunity to make your mark on whatever it is you do to keep a roof over your head and food in your stomach. Even if your current career or job is not something you want for the rest of your life, find a way to change the day-to-day workflow for the better and set to sharing your solution with those around you. Some may think your crazy at first, and you may even feel a little push back from peers who are set in their ways, but if you can find a way to make people feel their lives are somehow better or easier because of your creativity you will see your professional life boom in the months ahead. All it takes is one idea. One simple, perhaps already obvious change could be your ticket to the career and success you know you were meant to achieve, and the only thing preventing you from getting their is yourself. Shake off your fears and try something new. If you fail, oh well, but if you succeed life may never be the same.
James Shotwell is the Digital Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also the Film Editor for Substream Magazine and 10-year music writing veteran. You should follow him on Twitter.
If you’re anything like me, you probably started the day by recognizing that the start of a new work week had indeed arrived and then immediately began shaking your fists at the sky in anger. Monday is rarely anyone’s favorite day, and from what I have seen firsthand it feels safe to say it’s the one day of the week some people outright hate. I guess to them the arrival of the work week symbolizes the end of their quote/unquote freedom, and as a result they head into the office/factory/restaurant/store with a negative outlook already on their mind. This leads to bad attitudes, which only makes the experience of being at work worse, and for some reason it also seems to make time slow to a crawl. We’re not about that life, and we hope this post can do the same you that the song contained within it did for us.
Sometimes in life you encounter an artist who continues to impress with each and every creative endeavor they pursue. They become so impressive, in fact, that you are willing to follow any and every future idea they have sight unseen. Call it being a fanatic or simply a diehard believer, but whatever label you place on it that relationship is special. It’s something is reserved for only the deepest of connection with someone or some group we as people can never really know. It’s intimate.
In my life I have known four artists I can say I have felt this way about, and there is none that I feeling more strongly for than The Dear Hunter. Their albums share both an ongoing story, as well as a series of unique listening experiences that challenge that concept of modern alternative music in every way. It’s as if founder Casey Crescenzo set out to make the most complex, yet undeniably infectious cinematic rock band the world has ever known, then challenged himself to raise the bar for quality and diversity in every facet with each release while simultaneously telling several stories stretched across numerous recordings over what is quickly becoming a decade. To say there is a high concept idea or twelve at play would be an understatement, but there is something very inviting about every release. An experimental, genre-defying band for everyone, if you will.
I have tried over several years and reviews to convey my appreciate for The Dear Hunter’s music, so I’m going to try and not repeat those efforts here. I’m a fan, and I think that is established at this point. The reason I’m a fan is because the sheer fact a band like this exists and receives the support of not only a respected label like Equal Vision, but countless thousands of fans around the world, inspires me to chase every big idea I have in my own life. Casey Crescenzo had an idea for what his future could be, and he set to making it a reality in spite of what may have seemed safe or popular at the time. He carved his own path from day one, and with each subsequent release or tour he continues to do things in a way only he can conceive. Each record may not play out the way you expected, but you know it’s exactly what he wanted and you have to respect it. There is no blueprint for such a band, and yet they have found a way into the hearts of people who love any one of a variety of genres, including rock and singer-songwriter shoe gaze. The Dear Hunter is whatever Crescendo wants it to be, and he’s cultivated a following that embraces that ambiguity with open arms.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do to feel confident enough in my own creative endeavors to do exactly what I wanted at all times. To fully express my vision, regardless of what twists and turns arise through doing so, and not allow the pressure of pleasing the outside world influence my work. There may be things Crescenzo feels he is still unable to do, but when I hear the challenging and thought-provoking work he creates I get the feeling he’s content in what is being delivered to the listener. He knows he has done his best and he’s prepared to his work with the world feeling secure in the quality of his effort. He’s not concerned with criticism because he’s already challenging himself to outdo whatever came before because it’s the only way he can ever hope to accomplish such a task. He must always be thinking ahead. Focusing on what is to come, and doing he best to stay true to himself.
I’m definitely projecting what I aspire to be onto Crescenzo and his music, but it works to inspire me to reach such heights. The Dear Hunter’s latest album, Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise, is no exception. Over the course of well over an hour the band delivers a lush and entirely entrancing near masterpiece that intricately weaves elements of previous albums into an entirely new collection of material. The first time I heard it I felt the need to sit in a room without distraction and let the album wash over me. I let it carry me to whatever sonic landscape Crescenzo wanted to explore, and I was happy I did. This album is The Dear Hunter’s best yet, and it leads me to believe there is even better work to come in the band’s future.
This week, give Act IV a chance. It’s a big undertaking in comparison to the short and sleek sugary pop albums dominating charts today, but it’s definitely worth your time. If you don’t walk away feeling inspired you can at least find peace in the fact you heard what is amongst the best examples of true art being created in music today.
James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him on Twitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.
If you’re anything like me, you probably started the day by recognizing that the start of a new work week had indeed arrived and then immediately began shaking your fists at the sky in anger. Monday is rarely anyone’s favorite day, and from what I have seen firsthand it feels safe to say it’s the one day of the week some people outright hate. I guess to them the arrival of the work week symbolizes the end of their quote/unquote freedom, and as a result they head into the office/factory/restaurant/store with a negative outlook already on their mind. This leads to bad attitudes, which only makes the experience of being at work worse, and for some reason it also seems to make time slow to a crawl. We’re not about that life, and we hope this post can do the same you that the song contained within it did for us.
If you were to ask the average alternative music to describe Michigan post-hardcore favorites We Came As Romans they would probably name a handful of notable bands from the mid-2000s who helped bring the infectious blend of screaming and singing to the mainstream. That comparison would not be entirely incorrect, but it would be a rather underwhelming way to summarize all that We Came As Romans have created, as well as what they’re doing to try and force evolution within a tired music scene. They’re nothing short of innovators, if we’re being entirely honest, and their upcoming release on Equal Vision Records may very well be their best yet.
It can be hard to find time to visit an artist’s entire catalog, but in order to best appreciate what We Came As Romans have accomplished that is exactly what you must do. From day one, even before signing their first deal, We Came As Romans have been connecting with fans through a very clear and focused message of struggle, family, hope, and perseverance in the face of a world that claims you are never good enough. With each release their story grows, much like how a seed grows from something small into something great, and every song details another step-either forward or back-that had to be taken in order for progress to be made. That may sound like a PSA about following your dreams, and in a way you could argue that it is, but the band have found a way to make that message as compelling as anything you’re likely to hear at radio today.
With their upcoming fourth studio album, which is self-titled, We Came As Romans have found themselves at the crossroads where the boys who made it out of Detroit meet the men who’ve been around the world. The story of hope, struggle, and perseverance are as present as ever, but the band can no longer deny the fact they’ve already risen to same level of success as many of their peers. Their thirst for further accomplishment has forced them to reevaluate not only their sound, but their message, and the way it needs to be conveyed in order to connect with the largest amount of people. Some may call it selling out, but I would say it’s thinking smart, and the singles made available so far have a potential for crossover success that was never even present on the band’s earlier releases.
What I love most about We Came As Romans is that they’ve always stayed true to themselves, regardless of how fans reacted. Their early work may have been derivative of far more successful bands, but it allowed the band to connect with a group of music fans who were already looking for the next big band. As the group developed, so did the taste of their fans, and by sharing their journey through their music listeners were able to feel as if they took each victory lap, as well as every blow, right along with the band members themselves. This new album is the biggest leap the band has asked fans to take, and I for one think people would be fools not to follow along as they have in the past. The band may sound more marketable than before, but their message is the same as it has always been, and it’s one we need now more than ever.
For more information on We Came As Romans’ new album, or to pre-order a copy for yourself, click here. The record hits stores next Friday, July 24.
James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him onTwitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.
