Far From Alaska: A Rock Band From Brazil

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Great things happened in 2012 – one of which being the formation of Far From Alaska – a band with a, what is best described as, stoner-rock sound. The band hails from the distant land of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The band consists of Emmily Barreto on the microphone, and Chris Botarelli on the synthesizer, lap steel, and vocals. Originally, it was just these two members who aimed to have something consistent musically, but as time went on, it was decided that Rafael Brasil (on guitar), Edu Filgueira (on bass) and Lauro Kirsch (on drums) just made sense and completed their outfitting.

A Brief History

Far From Alaska was originally just a project between Emmily and Chris, and decided together to have a side project including the other three above-mentioned band members, influenced by the kinetic sounds of Queens if the Stone Age, Kyuss, and Nine Inch Nails. None of the members, however, were foreign to being in a band, as all five had been dabbling in bands prior to Far From Alaska’s formation.

Far From Alaska has their distinct sound. With the additional members, and being born as a band only six months prior, they won an award known as “Som Para Todos” and landed themselves distribution of their music through DeckDisk. Later they were so gratefully privileged to grace the audience attending the Planeta Terra Festival in Sao Paulo. This being only their second live performance together, they had to opportunity to meet and be complimented by the lead singer of the band Garbage. Chris comments on this experience Far From Alaska has with Shirley Manson by saying that it was an unusual experience, though it was through the same contact between bands that always happens behind the scenes of festivals. She was quite shocked and pleased that Shirley not only heard them, but also made a post on Garbage’s site about them on quite a positive note. Not bad for an emergence right?

Some Decisions Were Made

Having hurled themselves into such a quick success, as you may be able to call it, the band made a few edits and some decisions. Chris described naming the band as, to paraphrase lightly, five annoyed/annoying people who could not come to an agreement. Thankfully, Emmily’s mother had some whimsical input for the band name, and everyone just went with it! Something we do not believe many bands to face is the issue of language – not necessarily the usage of colloquialisms and vulgarities, but actual language. Some parts of the country appreciate the music despite the band singing in English, where as other regions question as to why they do not sing in Portuguese. Their reply to such petty questions, “Because we like it!” Really, though, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it! According to fans of the band, there is not a single thing that needs to be fixed, and their success tells a similar story.

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Then Some Progress Was Made

In 2014 they released their first album modeHuman, containing 15 tracks, including re-recordings of all four of their previously released EPs. Far From Alaska has made as far as to playing for Lollapalooza and the FIFA Fan Fest event in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This is coming a long way considering that their release prior to this was in October 2012 when they pre-recorded Stereochrome, their first EP. All the while, some of the members maintain other work outside of music itself.

The band expressed some of the difficulties they face – it’s been said that Brazil is rather large and the northeast, where they are from, is very expensive. Far From Alaska has moved their base from Natal to Sao Paulo to make things more conducive to their growth. The move from Natal to Sao Paulo was fascinating, to say the least: the people are more somber and tend to spend Christmas on the beach. Perhaps the move worked in their favor, as in 2015, they played at Lollapalooza again!

New Releases

This year they have released Chills, a song off of their new album. In June 2016, Far From Alaska was mentioned by Forbes as a band that is to be watched at Midem Festival 50th Anniversary in Cannes. All things considered, getting hundreds of plays on Pandora, thousands upon thousands of views on YouTube, and constantly collecting Facebook followers is pretty impressive. It’s estimated that Far From Alaska has nearly ten times the amount of popularity than is normal of a band with their short history and limited scope. Surely, their popularity could be attributed to their playing big-named stages. But they earned those spots and continually prove why and how they earned them!

Far From Alaska – Far From the End

In all modesty, a questions was answered pertaining to their success and where the band intends to go with their career: right now, they are playing things safe. It is frequently questioned as to whether they intend to sing in their mother tongue or not, but it had not been a serious consideration for Far From Alaska. As it was stated, “We do not have plans for world domination… and that was not a consideration when we started writing,” further concluding that if ‘world domination’ did happen, great! If not, that would be alright as well.

Having won the “We Are the Future” award for new artists at Midem (one of the biggest fairs in the world for the music industry!), world domination just may happen into their path. Up against 11 other bands and artists, they won by nearly a landslide. They had a celebratory performance of Politiks from their much-fussed-over album modeHuman.

If anyone will be in Sao Paulo, Brazil, you can catch Far From Alaska playing at the Rolling Stone Festival on Saturday, December 3. The only other date before the winter solstice kicks in is this October in Brasilia, Brazil where the band will be playing Porao do Rock.

Keep up-to-date with the band on their Facebook to see when they will be opening shows and ears in a town (or country!) near you.

by Angelique Harris

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Thrill Girl Lorraine Tully

The Revivalists: A Unique Band With A Unique Sound

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The alternative rock/ jam band, The Revivalists, got their totally-relatable start in New Orleans, Louisiana not long ago in 2007. Guitarist Zach Feinberg and drummer Andrew Campanelli already knew each other prior forming The Revivalists as we know them. They were no strangers to jamming out and performing. At this point, though, the band was not quite complete. While the creative soundings of their guitar and drums were enough to make a crowd swoon, the duo did not stop there. It was actually by chance that, while headed out from campus, Zach came across David Shaw – the guy who would become one of the band’s guitarists.

Zach, instead of going his regular bike route, took an alternative route to where he was going, and heard the dulcet vocals and melodious strummings of David Shaw, singing his original “Purple Heart,” (which managed to land on their second album Vital Signs, released in 2010). Zach approached David while he was mid-tune. Like anyone else, David was really taken back a bit, until Zach urged him to keep playing and singing, as he wanted to hear the rest of the song. Zach wasted no time inviting David to his house later that day – of course hashing over music. Passion and masterminding gave these three guys a little more than a week before it led them to naming themselves just before their first show together at Tipitina’s.

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The large band now also includes the extravagant talents of Ed Williams on his pedal steel guitar, Rob Ingraham on the sax, George Gekas on bass, and Michael Girardot double-timing on the keyboard and trumpet. This amalgam of instruments definitely leaves unforgettable marks on the band’s audience, and much more is to come.

The Rebirth Brass Band was the first band to take the Revivalists on the road with them, and helped them along the way as their own little fledgling. It was not long after that the band realized they had become recognized in their own community as musicians – a warm and welcoming feeling, and a real dream come true.

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Meet The Band

Without further delay, meet The Revivalists:

Zach was a student in New Orleans when he helped to form the band. Some of his inspiration comes from Bob Dylan, B.B King, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Marley, among many others. Around the young age of around 8, Zach had an affinity to blues music and began playing the guitar. Today, his arsenal consists of a few Fenders, a Marin acoustic, and a blazing array of effects pedals that can be heard throughout the band’s compositions.

Michael Girardot joined the revivalists in 2011. Despite this, he was still no stranger to the stage or to rock. Since 2004 he has been part of the New Orleans rock scene. Multitalented, Michael is capable of singing, writing songs, and playing the keyboard and the trumpet, and has definitely made himself an asset to The Revivalists. He also founded the New Orleans indie Rock Collective and Foburg Festival, so that fellow musicians like himself can get the exposure they need.

David Shaw, native to Ohio, has his little arsenal of Fenders and renowned Gibsons as he plays the role of lyricist and rhythm guitarist. His blending of indie Soul and folk with the principles of rock and roll is a definite plus in the band’s successes.

Ed Williams also has a long history of being in music – since he was just a young child. He was introduced to the guitar later, however, and the steel guitar even later. He loved the sound of it, and it became his thing. When Ed felt the lessons getting stale, he began to emulate those whom he admired.

Rob Ingraham played various instruments throughout his childhood, and it was at age 12 that he picked up the saxophone. Grade 6 through college, Rob spent his time playing the sax and studying jazz as much as possible. The professors at Tulane – the college he attended – proved to be of real benefit to him, as he learned much. He now rocks out with his Sax Gourmet Super 400 Tenor.

Native to Virginia, Andrew Campanelli started as a young musician also. He touched the instrument that would become his career at age 11 – the drums. AS time passed, working in the kitchen of the State Theatre (a music venue near where he lived) he came to appreciate the at the music in New Orleans was special, and decided to get involved with it a little more (by a little, we mean a lot!) Andrew moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University, and to be as close as possible to the music he had come to love.

George Gekas lived in Connecticut before coming to New Orleans. It was in Connecticut that he owned his first bass. George attributes his stylings to the man who gave his bass lessons to him when he was just 13 years old. George ended up in New Orleans when he received an academic scholarship to attend Loyola.

What They Have Done

Things are consistently looking up for the band, and they’re moving full speed ahead. When their most recent album, Men Amongst Mountains (2015) debuted, it ranked number 2 on Billboard Alternative Albums, and top 10 in iTunes’ Alternative Albums chart. No matter what move the band makes, their fans are with them 100%, and that really encourages The Revivalists to keep going as they are. They are a unique bunch with a unique sound – people are really loving that and their down-to-earth ‘this is who we are and this is what we do’ approach to their music. So that is what they do, and it’s taking the band to places they would have only dreamed of.

The Revivalists are best known for Wish I Knew You, Soulfight, It Was a Sin, and Keep Going. Throughout their albums, they show a wide array of emotions and stylings – acoustics and croonings to danceable rock-outs, there are a few tracks for everyone. Each member gets put his own fingerprint in each song in one way or another, whether Zach is tapping out some blue licks, Rob and Michael gusting away some horns to wax a sultry mood, or Ed’s strumming some major steel. They leave no doubt as to the direction and emotion of each song.

What’s Coming

As of June 21, The Revivalists have made an official announcement of their “Strangers in the Bright Lights” Fall 2016 tour, where they will be bouncing between Alabama, Ohio, and Massachusetts, and many points in between starting September 7^th. Pre-sale is still in progress and upgraded tickets have the options of including “Men Amongst Mountains” vinyl package, or meet and greet plus a signed vinyl. The official site makes it clear that these offers are limited. Just in case you can’t wait until the fall touring begins, they have dates clear through the summer until that time comes.

Stay Tuned!

by Angelique Harris

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TTS Music Winner Rah Black

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Avatarium: Swedish Doom Metal Masters

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Female fronted doom bands have become quite a frenzy these days with a beautiful female voice rising amidst heavy metal. Avatarium is a 2 year old metal band which has amazed music lovers with their spectacular blend of heavy adventurous music. The band enjoys creating music which produces a perfect amalgamation of the nostalgia of the 60’s and 70’s hardrock music and a bit of pop and jazz music.

Image credit: http://avatariumofficial.se/ concert

Inception

The band is led by Candlemass mastermind Leif Edling who needed help to demo a few songs that he was working on. Guitarist Marcus Jidell offered to help and the few songs turned into a complete album which came out in Novemeber 2013 as Avatarium. With Lars Sköld on the drums and Carl Westholm on the keyboard, Jennie-Ann Smith’s vocals sounded fantastic and the album was dark and had heavy grooves. The album was received well by the community of doom band lovers.

The album had created a pathway for the formation of the band and ‘All I Want’ was released in November 2014 which displayed the band’s efforts to evolve further. The band rendered some psychedelic rock to the title track of the EP. The psychedlic break is performed by Michael Blair who guests on “All I Want” to add a refreshing psychedelic flavour to the song.

This year sees the launch of another full length album of the five-piece band. Their latest album is ‘The Girl with the Raven Mask’. The album has received acclaim from the people who find the inspirations of old school music mixed into the darkness of the band to be a creative twist.

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Band Members

Leif Edling was the song-writer and bass player in Swedish doom metal band Candlemass. The band was considered to be one of the titans of doom metal community during the 1980’s and 1990’s till the band fell apart in 1994. Following the disbandment, Leif Edling started a band called Abstrakt Algebra which met with limited success. Candlemass regrouped and disbanded again but the charm of the band was lost and it was not able to build the same niche.

Marcus Jidell is one of the most popular metal guitarists of Swedish origin. He has been a member of progressive metal band Evergrey and Royal Hunt. He is influenced by players like Yngwie Malmsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Leslie West and Chuck Berry. He is the guitarist and producer for Avatrium’s latest album ‘The Girl with the Raven Mask’.

Lars Sköld is the drummer for Avatarium and Tiamat. The musician has been a part of Tiamat since 1994. He joined Avatarium when the band started and has been a part of the band since then.

Carl Westholm is an Avatarium band member since 2013 and has handled the keyboards primarily. In the band’s latest album Carl has displayed his skills on the piano, organ, theremin, mellotron, moog as well as the keyboard.

Jennie-Ann Smith is the voice behind the ethereal vocals of Avatarium. Leif Edling and Marcus were in search of a voice with a blues or a classical background. She also works as a psychosocial counsellor in one of the leading hospitals in Stockholm.

How Avatarium Works

The process of completing an album is lengthy and Avatarium works step by step to achieve the completion of the album. Leif Edling is the brains behind the songs and once he has a rough sketch of the songs a demo is performed with Marcus and once the two have created something strong enough, Jennie Ann steps in for the vocals.

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With the vocals included, the songs go through stages of perfection where the guitar keys and chords are matched to meet the emotion of the song. Then, the song is taken to the rehearsal studio where the entire band comes together to put the song together as a band. Rehearsals and recordings further perfect the song till the band decides it is ready to be recorded. Marcus Jidell who is the producer of the latest album says that he encourages the band members to add a personal touch to the songs so that the song identifies each member through the music.

Music influences of the band while creating ‘Girl with the Raven Mask’

The band focuses on blending heavy metal to folk and classical music. Some of their biggest influences are Black Sabbath and Rainbow. Avatarium also finds inspiration in Stills and Nash, Crosby and Mountain.

There is an influence of 60’s and 70’s style of music while one of the songs also has some strong jazz influences. While all of it is dominated by dark and heavy music, the perfect blend of the various types of music, give every song of the album an individualistic emotion.

While the band is still in the nascent stages, most of the band members have a popular history with music and fans around the world have appreciated their efforts so far.

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