Situations that almost all individuals seem to have to navigate are the moments or time periods of
stress, frustration, and the occasional crisis brought about by this thing called...Life. We all have
ways of dealing with it from legal to the more than perhaps a step over the legal line. Some use
food, others perhaps Television, and then there are those of us that use music. Whether just a
momentary pickmeup or perhaps cranking a song or ten at high volumes in your car, much like
counting to ten but with thundering drums and reverb. Imagine though that you are the one that
creates that stress relief, an entertainer or musician. You are the one up on stage, looking around
from a spotlight and center stage watching everyone else being entertained, only to know that
money is tight, the bills are piling up, and you're wondering what is going to happen when your
food runs out on Tuesday and you may get paid on Friday?
Sons of Strangers started as two friends meeting in a studio. Jon White and Mark Sullivan played
music on and off for over a decade and had that fateful encounter in Mark's Ardmore,
OK studio in
2007. They began playing shortly afterward off and on, even after Mark had closed his studio and
moved to Austin, TX. The next three years threw a lot of changes at the pair, forcing them to
adapt to increasingly erratic schedules and long distances. They eventually reconnected in 2012
and recorded their first EP titled, Only Thieves. Jon fortuitously met longtime influence and
inspiration Mike Herrera of MxPx and Tumbledown and over drinks, setup a time to record their
fulllength album Bringing the Sun Up/Taking the Sun Down. Finished in July of 2013 and it was
released in October of 2013.
Their most recent release is The Sailor/The Sea and on initial listening may come off as an indie
rock sound but there are more textures, shapes, and influences here. I've heard everything from
moments of Bob Mould, the Smithereens, and even Lucero. The use of time and tempo changes,
particularly prevalent on the song, "Fools Gold" is both impressive and refreshing. The lyrics are
heartfelt and honest. The songs are strong and gutsy. This is definitely an album to give a listen.
Though I normally write about unsigned bands, Sons of Strangers have recently signed with
Wiretap Records, a solid LA outfit that is normally known for punk and other bands that they
believe in. One of the fantastic things about this album is the fact that it is not overproduced or
perfect. They are a bit on the raw side but the underlying talent is obvious. This album showed
fine musicianship and I would definitely recommend keeping an ear out for Sons of Strangers.
Show these boys some love on their official site, Facebook and Twitter!
About Hunter: Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!) After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest. Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!) About Hunter: Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!) After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest. Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!)
No comments:
Post a Comment