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The Strafing Run: Three Local Bands To Fill Your Ears With
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Well hi there, dear readers.
Didn’t notice you there. I was just sitting here at my computer in H...Well hi there, dear readers.
Didn’t notice you there. I was just sitting here at my computer in Happy Valley, PA, USA, getting ready to turn some people on to three music projects from State College worth checking out. Sure, you can stay. Sit down, let me grab you some coffee.
Now where was I? Oh, great local music. So I’ve been telling you for a while now, about State College’s music scene–about the saturation of musical talent here, and the great bands that have sprung from the fertile soil of middle Pennsylvania. From time to time, I’d like to share some of those bands with you. Today is one of those times.
There are quite a few bands worth listening to from Happy Valley, but I only have room to tell you about three. Four would be too many, and two is right out. So Let’s meet Atlas Soundtrack, Thai Honeymoon and Dutch Nuns.
Playing original music in State College is tough. Playing originals and getting booked in local bars? Very tough. Playing original hip-hop/reggae and getting booked? Nearly impossible. Yet Atlas Soundtrack is doing just that. Matt Savereno (guitar/vocals) and Drew ‘Dubb’ Jackson (MC) have their fusion of hip-hop, reggae and rock playing live at the biggest bars in the region, a domain usually dominated by cover bands. On St. Patrick’s Day, a huge drinking/bar day in town, they will be the featured band at Cafe 210, one of the few local bars with a large stage and dance area. This would be a big deal for any local band. For Atlas Soundtrack, it’s just another step in a plan to break out of the local scene and into the national scene with a combination of hard work, persistence, and a constantly evolving sound forged from the band’s disparate influences.
Atlas Soundtrack – “What’s Up” Live
Not content with their remarkable local success, the band has been reaching out to other original bands to do gig swaps, inviting bands to play shows with them at State College venues, then traveling to the invited band’s locale and doing the same thing there. It’s a great way for bands to get heard in new markets, and establish small tours.
All this is in support of Atlas Soundtrack‘s latest album, The Garden. Released in March of last year, The Garden has gotten airplay on college radio here and elsewhere, an album created over the course of two years’ worth of playing shows and practicing together. It’s a solid, funky album showcasing the band’s diverse influences and driving rhythm.
They’re not just in it for fun and free nachos; the band carries a message with the music. The name The Garden was chosen to represent the environment Atlas Soundtrack believes we live in. The Garden is a bed for growth and prosperity, just like the band itself is a garden where its members can create new vibrant musical crops together. Atlas Soundtrack wants to help heal the world with its music, and the world can surely use the help.
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Reggae, Funk band to play at Crooked I
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After saying goodbye to Joe Paterno, Atlas Soundtrack is ready to say hello, Erie. The State College...After saying goodbye to Joe Paterno, Atlas Soundtrack is ready to say hello, Erie. The State College band -- which blends hip-hop, reggae, funk and Tom Morello-style guitar influences -- will make its Erie debut on Saturday at Crooked I.
"We all grew up here, so having this happen -- losing an icon -- it's also like losing a piece of yourself in a way," said guitarist Matt Savereno. "When you spend so much time in a certain area, and something that's so important to that whole area is taken away, it's devastating."
Savereno observed the funeral procession for JoePa. He attended Penn State -- and plenty of Penn State games -- though he gravitated more toward music than academics after graduating. He faced a tough choice: Accept an offer to attend grad school -- which would include a year in Florence, Italy -- or stay with Atlas Soundtrack.
"It was so hard," said Savereno, who majored in Italian literature. "It definitely took me a couple weeks to mull through in my head."
He realized school would always be there. But Atlas Soundtrack had something special going -- a chemistry and forward motion -- that he didn't want to disrupt.
"Music, ever since I was a little kid, has been what I wanted to do. I knew if I stopped the road I was on now and switched gears that, in the future, I'd kick myself in the butt," he said.
Atlas Soundtrack began as four guys jamming on funk in a basement. It quickly assimilated reggae and dub influences, while Drew "Dubb" Jackson, as emcee, lends hip-hop styled vocals with positive, encouraging lyrics. This is a hopeful band, not an angry one. You'll hear echoes of Red Hot Chili Peppers and early 311 in their originals, but the strong pulse of reggae burns just as brightly.
"We all love reggae music," Savereno said. "One of the first songs we came up with as a group -- 'This Man's Story' -- was a reggae song but more rootsy than the stuff we do now."
On newer songs, such as "Wassup," the band adds aggressive guitar to the mix without losing its organic sound. "Wassup" will appear on their second album, due out later in 2012. Expect mostly originals when the band plays Saturday, though Savereno said it occasionally works in Dr. Dre, the Police or Sly and the Family Stone, as well.
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"Gig swapping brings new music to town
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'Gig swapping' brings new music to town
By Alyse Horn
Collegian Staff Writer
Setting a differen...'Gig swapping' brings new music to town
By Alyse Horn
Collegian Staff Writer
Setting a different tone in State College, Atlas Soundtrack has started “gig swapping,” or sharing venues with bands from different states for the night — the first of which hails from New York.
Migrating from Syracuse, Sophistafunk is the first band to partake in gig swapping, and they are nothing less than excited.
Sophistafunk member Adam Gold said he and his two other band members, Jack Brown and Emanuel Washington, have been trying to get to State College for a long time.
And they’ll finally be in town on Saturday, Nov. 5, as Atlas Soundtrack and Sophistafunk share the stage tomorrow at Café 210, 210 W. College Ave.
“We’re so pumped,” Gold said. “We’ve known about State College being a really great town for music forever.”
Gold said Sophistafunk’s sound is a mix between Rage Against The Machine and The Roots.
Gold said the four most prevalent types of music the band is into is hip-hop, funk, soul and electronic. The band also shows heavy traces of reggae and rock.
Gold said he plays a few different piano-based instruments in the band, such as a synth bass and two or three other keyboards. He said he also beatboxes.
Brown is the rapper of the group, while Washington is the drummer.
Gold said Sophistafunk was contacted by Atlas Soundtrack to trade gigs.
“They liked our music and they got in touch with our booking agent,” Gold said.
Matt Savereno, guitar and vocals for Atlas Soundtrack, said it was a matter of reaching out to Sophistafunk with the idea of gig swapping.
Savereno said gig swapping, or trading gigs, is a concept that has been going on for some time now.
“It’s a way for bands that are trying to break into new cities and markets, like ourselves — to pair up with one another and begin permeating the music scenes of those new places,” Savereno said.
Savereno said Atlas Soundtrack is traveling to Syracuse in the future to join Sophistafunk.
By gig swapping, the performance turns into more of a concert that showcases each band’s original music, Savereno said.
Atlas Soundtrack’s overall goal is to help introduce as much new, live, original music to State College as possible while also enjoying the local band’s music.
Atlas Soundtrack and Sophistafunk seem to fall along the same lines when describing the genre of music their bands cover.
Savereno said Atlas Soundtrack likes to blend elements of hip-hop, reggae and funk that are often heard at their shows. He also said their music is high-energy, body-moving music.
Gold said at most of the venues the band plays at “people will move tables out of the way to start getting down.” Sophistafunk is known to bring a hard dance vibe to their shows, so those attending Saturday nights show would be ready to boogie.
Savereno said fans should expect to enter at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, hearing Kyle Dornich from Atlas Soundtrack spinning music that will “lead up to Sophistafunk’s set of flawless blend of hip-hop, jazz and funk.”
“Expect getting down to be a non-stop event, all night long,” Savereno said.
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Atlas Soundtrack Keeps it Funky at Movin' On
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April 29, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Atlas Soundtrack keeps it funky at Movin' On
Atlas Soundtrack added it...April 29, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Atlas Soundtrack keeps it funky at Movin' On
Atlas Soundtrack added its unique blend of reggae, hip-hop and rock to the Movin’ On stage this afternoon.
MC Drew Jackson encouraged the crowd to dance along to stay warm in the gusty winds and spurts of rain.
“I see you all groovin’ out there,” he said. “Keep it poppin’.”
And poppin’ was how it was kept, some audience members said.
Michael Henry said he appreciated the band’s individual sound, which he said is unlike anything else you’ll hear.
“It was funky,” Henry (sophomore-toxiology) said.
Joe Chillson, a University of Pittsburgh student who’s visiting PSU for the weekend, agreed.
Chillson (sophomore-political science and writing) said he thought the group sounded like a product of some popular music.
“They sounded like what would happen if Sublime and Rage Against the Machine had a baby and wanted to be a slap bass,” he said.
The group played at 4:30 p.m. instead of the scheduled for 4 p.m. because of a delay.
Atlas Soundtrack was the second of four local bands that competed for spots at Movin’ On.
Check back at psucollegian.com for continued Movin’ On coverage.
By Megan Rogers
April 29, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Atlas Soundtrack keeps it funky at Movin' On
Atlas Soundtrack added its unique blend of reggae, hip-hop and rock to the Movin’ On stage this afternoon.
MC Drew Jackson encouraged the crowd to dance along to stay warm in the gusty winds and spurts of rain.
“I see you all groovin’ out there,” he said. “Keep it poppin’.”
And poppin’ was how it was kept, some audience members said.
Michael Henry said he appreciated the band’s individual sound, which he said is unlike anything else you’ll hear.
“It was funky,” Henry (sophomore-toxiology) said.
Joe Chillson, a University of Pittsburgh student who’s visiting PSU for the weekend, agreed.
Chillson (sophomore-political science and writing) said he thought the group sounded like a product of some popular music.
“They sounded like what would happen if Sublime and Rage Against the Machine had a baby and wanted to be a slap bass,” he said.
The group played at 4:30 p.m. instead of the scheduled for 4 p.m. because of a delay.
Atlas Soundtrack was the second of four local bands that competed for spots at Movin’ On.
Check back at psucollegian.com for continued Movin’ On coverage.
By Megan Rogers
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Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk with special guest Atlas Soundtrack
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Atlas Soundtrack
Atlas Soundtrack is a local State College band who mixes several uncommon musi...Atlas Soundtrack
Atlas Soundtrack is a local State College band who mixes several uncommon musical genres to create their own unique sound. The group started experimenting in the winter of 2007, and became regulars in State College clubs the following year. The boys of Atlas Soundtrack combine reggae, rock, hip-hop and jazz to the stage in one act, bringing a different feel to the crowd with each song. The band works simultaneously with skill and enthusiasm to create one of the best shows in the State College circuit.
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Atlas Sountrack: A refreshing, Soulful Mix
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Atlas Soundtrack: A refreshing, soulful mix
Posted by Pat Baxter on 08/17/10 at 09:49 AM
At...Atlas Soundtrack: A refreshing, soulful mix
Posted by Pat Baxter on 08/17/10 at 09:49 AM
Atlas Soundtrack certainly made an impression last Saturday night among newly graduated Penn State students and casual bar-hoppers at Bar Bleu. As I arrived, I was unsure of how their mix of styles would work (reggae, rock, hip-hop, funk). But by the end of the night, I witnessed a genre experiment gone right cementing them, in my mind, as one of the best bands in State College, and a refreshing break from the cover-band antics that is typically the State College bar music scene.
If I had to compare Atlas Soundtrack to anyone, I would say they are not unlike Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, or even Limp Bizkit of old. However, their style is their own.
Right from the intro they settled into a smooth pocket groove aided by the skill of drummer Josh and [Mickey] on bass. It was a rhythm complimented by the jazzy chordal voicings from guitarist Matt, who also sang ambient-like vocals. From here they went into reggae/rock/hip-hop mode building up to “This Man’s Story.” At this point Drew, the MC/rapper, came up on stage. I was skeptical of how Drew’s MCing would mix with an atmosphere already set by the intro. However, it worked surprisingly well as Drew and Matt worked off each other with polish. Starting with “Hats Off” and continuing with “Mexicana,” Drew took over with rapping, taking command of the stage with confidence. He can definitely lay down rhymes with the best of them.
The band did take some time to warm up to the crowd. Perhaps it was still early in the evening for patrons, or they were still getting used to the sound. But the band persisted, slowly winning them over, due in no small part to Drew’s skill as an MC. He was able to work the crowd, pumping enthusiasm into the room and garnering cheers from the audience.
The band finished the first set with “Funk,” a song that climaxed into an all out rock jam punctuated by a ray gun sound effect from [Matt]. Indeed, [he] is a talent on guitar. He did some fine work with his effects pedals, demonstrated an intelligent use of delay and flanger, and was disciplined enough to never overuse the wah pedal. Throughout the night, he played within himself. He didn’t try to force the issue while getting the most out of his gear. I’d consider him one of the better players in State College.
By the second set, people were breaking into spontaneous dance, riding the energy of the band (and of libations no doubt). This set featured such songs as “Your Beat” and “[Tyrant].” At this point, Kyle’s congas took full effect. He was a fitting compliment to Atlas Soundtrack’s talented drummer Josh. Josh’s drums were tight, flavored with clever hi-hat fills and an assertive piccolo snare (my favorite kind of snare drum). Kyle also did turn-tables, unfortunately it wasn’t very audible.
The audience became fully invested with “[The Calling],” my favorite tune of the night. It’s a heavier song that had a Rage Against the Machine kind of feel to it. This song rocked the joint, blasting energy throughout the space and sending out a positive vibe to all who listened.
As Atlas Soundtrack concluded with their third set, they left a definite mark on the Bar Bleu faithful. It left me wondering how their sound will evolve as they continue to play in State College and beyond.
Posted on 8/17/10 on www.wpsu.org
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The Garden
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"The Garden"
By Beth Ann Downey
Collegian Staff Writer
Just like you wouldn’t know what to call..."The Garden"
By Beth Ann Downey
Collegian Staff Writer
Just like you wouldn’t know what to call a “goth” cheerleader or a 40-year-old Justin Bieber, there is no way to put a label on the music of Atlas Soundtrack.
The State College band’s hybrid rock/reggae/rap is by no means a commodity, and an original band making its home in State College is also an unlikely story.
Atlas Soundtrack shows listeners how it defies the odds on its first LP, “The Garden” — a compilation of its best originals cleverly packaged with a naturalistic and cosmic theme that ties the eight tracks together.
The album is a mixture of what you’d want to listen to while either tanning on the beach or walking through a snowstorm. It starts out with “Bad Seed,” which lulls the listener into complacency with a Bob Marley-esque intro and verse before soaring through a chorus of drum crashes and electric riffs.
The song’s obvious angry undertones are a strange way to start an album with so many other sections of tranquility, but it also sets the tone for how talented all of these musicians are.
Though “Bad Seed” heavily features vocals from lead singer and guitarist Matt Savereno, the next track, “Sun Boom,” is all about emcee Drew Jackson and his musical message.
“ ’Bout to go to war people,” he says, “war with commercialism. In the world of music there’s no room for that. So we are Atlas Soundtrack. We celebrate authenticity, creativity. And we invite you all to join in, let’s celebrate.”
The equal blend of vox and rap is what helps keep each song on “The Garden” fresh. Jackson’s narrative emceeing holds the listener’s attention, instead of just waiting for the chorus.
Nowhere on the album is this more apparent than in the song “Warm,” which tells of the struggles of a single mother, with slices of imagery about how she holds two jobs and how she goes to the store to buy a Snack Pack for her son.
“The Garden” in its entirety sounds just as like Atlas Soundtrack does in a live performance, where you can sit back and jam to the verses and pick up the tunes to the chorus. But what the band needs to do with its next album is make its product something to commit to — something a listener would choose to put on instead of listen to in passing.
One way to do this would be to tune up the song writing, so all of the different elements — the electric rock and the chill reggae, the spoken and sung lyrics — blend together better. Though the choruses on the album are easy to sing along to live, they fall short of holding one’s attention span while listening through headphones (unless you want to be that guy singing to himself on the walk to class).
Just because you’re doing it differently doesn’t mean you’re doing it just right. But as far as Atlas Soundtrack is concerned, the band definitely has the right idea.
