Light in August

Artist Information

Biography

Light in August was founded in the summer of 2007 after singer Alex Wand returned from living in Spain to finish his degree at the University of Michigan. The group started off as a trio and has now expanded to four members, each uniquely contributing to the group’s pop/rock sound. Alex's vocals are influenced by the likes of Chan Marshall and Cat Stevens and his guitar playing is informed by his classical guitar training. Mark Fain, a singer/songwriter, plays bass and sings and Max Stewart is on drums and percussion.
Their live show is energy-packed and unpredictable. Alex, who also plays the sitar and the classical guitar, founded a world music group called Sunrise Sutra and often incorporate these non-western instruments into Light in August sets. The group is also known for encouraging audience participation in their performance. For example, one time they performed an improvisation based on a color and a shape of the audience’s choosing (it turned out to be a purple rhombus).
In the past year, Light in August has created a buzz in the local music scene and has played on radio stations such as 88.3 WCBN-FM and 107.1 FM and has been covered in The Detroit Free Press, The Real Detroit, The Current, The Metro Times and The Detroit Fashion Pages. Light in August has also recently completed their debut release entitled 'Places' in August of 2009.

Instrumentation

Alex Wand: guitar, lead vocals, sitar, flute
Max Stewart: drums
Jack Henry: bass
Ann Dearth: flute
Kate Olson: woodwinds, vocals

Discography

Places (2009)

Official Website

http://www.lightinaugustmusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Alex Wand

Audio

• Northern Lights
  Listen   Download
• Krishna Consciousness
  Listen   Download
• Khalela
  Listen   Download
• Winter Clothes
  Listen   Download
• The First Days of May
  Listen   Download
• Hollywood
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Khalela
• Khalela
• Winter Clothes

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Metro Times [+ Show ]
  

  "The mixing of melodic sweetness and rhythmic fight seems to work for Light in August, resulting in ..."The mixing of melodic sweetness and rhythmic fight seems to work for Light in August, resulting in one of the more invigorating local pop discs of the year." (09/09)

• The Detroit Fashion Pages [+ Show ]
  

  “It would behoove you to give Light in August a more-than-serious look. Their laid back brand of pop...“It would behoove you to give Light in August a more-than-serious look. Their laid back brand of pop rock just sounds like, well, summer. With a blend of soul grooves and Brit chops, and a well appreciated knack for the hook, this foursome will stick with you well into coat weather" (10/08).

• The Metro Times [+ Show ]
  

  “Light in August are the latest indie sensations to have burst out of the ever eclectic and increasi...“Light in August are the latest indie sensations to have burst out of the ever eclectic and increasingly vibrant Ann Arbor scene” (01/09).

• The Real Detroit [+ Show ]
  

  “Light In August makes smooth and crisp sounding soul-pop with McCartney-esque narrative vignette ly...“Light In August makes smooth and crisp sounding soul-pop with McCartney-esque narrative vignette lyrics; blending esteemed folk styling (think lush Bryter Layter Nick Drake) into stately, shimmering prog-rock interpretations. Marvelous rhythms supplement a dream-pop romanticism melded with pedal-fuzzed instrumentals" (07/09).

• The Current [+ Show ]
  

  "This Ann Arbor/Royal Oak-based quartet has got the goods, my friends. Insightful lyrics, mellow har..."This Ann Arbor/Royal Oak-based quartet has got the goods, my friends. Insightful lyrics, mellow harmonies and featured flute player, there's not much more you could ask for in a band" (03/09).

• AnnArbor.com [+ Show ]
  

  "As the band's name suggests, its earthy pop sound does in fact evoke a pleasant summer afternoon" (..."As the band's name suggests, its earthy pop sound does in fact evoke a pleasant summer afternoon" (07/09)

Setlist

sets consist mostly of originals with a few covers included (i.e. Wilco, Voxtrot, St. Vincent, Neutral Milk Hotel, Paul Simon, Nick Drake)

Basic Requirements

Calendar