SETTLE

Artist Information

Biography

Settle - four extremely talented individuals from Pennsylvania who play indie rock, have great personal style and even better record collections – have signed with Epitaph Records. The band is currently recording with Adam Lasus, best known for his work with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Yo La Tengo. Mixing is being supplied by Producer/Engineer Ken Andrews best known for working with Blink182, Beck, Jimmy Eat World, Pete Yorn and many more...

Versatile and prolific, the band’s favorites range from the Liars to Questlove, though the fellas say they are influenced more by the news, video games and Facebook than anything else. They have penned nearly 100 songs and sold 20,000 copies collectively of two self-released EPs. And while the songs range from soulful laments to skillfully crafted pop to ironic indie rock, the common thread running through the music is that Settle writes unbelievably catchy songs.

Hailing from the wintry wilds of eastern PA, brothers Nick and Willie Rose (vox/guitars and drums respectively) formed Settle in 2001. The usual turmoil ensued as members came and went until the band finally solidified with the addition of Dave Goletz (guitar) a few years later and most recently Chris Burcin (bass).

In 2007, the band won an MTV-sponsored contest, "Best Music on Campus." Trading their anoraks for flip flops, Settle performed at MTV’s Spring Break extravaganza in Cancun Mexico. While the bikini-clad girls and muscle-bound guys might not have been Settle’s usual crowd, who tend more towards New Balance and vintage tees, the contest served to pair the band with Epitaph, and, more importantly, #1 fan and label president Brett Gurewitz.

"Settle has everything I admire in a great band: poetry, tunefulness, originality and vision, all pursued recklessly, as if the whole thing might fall apart at any second…and you can dance to it," says Gurewitz.

Look for Settle’s debut full-length titled "At Home we Are Tourists" on Epitaph (scheduled release: May 19th, 2009.

Management:
Tom
Really Really Good, Inc.
Office: 484-358-6200
Cell: 484-226-0600
Email: roset@settlemusic.net


Web: www.settlemusic.net
MySpace: www.myspace.com/settle
Purevolume: www.purevolume.com/settle
Label: www.epitaph.com

MTVU SPRING BREAK 2007 - View Settle's MTVU documentary and performance in Cancun Mexico on the video page.

Instrumentation

Nick Rose - Vocals, Guitar, keyboard
Dave Goletz - Keys/Vocals, Guitarist
Willie Rose - Drums/Percussion
Chris Burcin - Bass, background vocals

Discography

SETTLE - "At Home We Are Tourists" on Epitaph Records released on 5.19.2009

Links

• Epitaph Records
• YouTube (Murder Video)

Audio

• MURDER
  Listen  
• Kick, Win!
  Listen  
• Affinity For Hometown
  Listen  
• I Saw An Inferno Once
  Listen  

Lyrics

• ISAW AN INFERNO ONCE

Video

MTVU Spring Break 2007 - SETTLE DOCUMENTARY

Photo Gallery

Press

• AllMusic May 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  In most cases, bands don't become conflicted until their second or third album, but strangely enough...In most cases, bands don't become conflicted until their second or third album, but strangely enough, on Settle's first full-length, they already seem to be enduring an identity crisis. Blame it on the fact that Settle's been together (in one form or another) for almost eight years (an eternity in emo years) or blame it on the fact that "emo" has become a relatively unsavory stamp, with many mainstays of the genre trying to wash their hands clean of any traces of the term (their labelmates A New Found Glory for example are referring to themselves as "pop punk/rock/hardcore" on their Myspace page). But as most punk-pop groups either try to rekindle their punk roots or look to pop standards like Sgt. Pepper's for inspiration, Settle has instead decided to go the indie/dance route. To boost their credibility, they hired a producer who's capable of molding a nice, thick — but not overly slick — indie rock sound. Enter Adam Lasus (producer/engineer of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Yo La Tengo), who lent his expertise to At Home We Are Tourists.
  
  Calling in reinforcements to give Settle a musical make-over seems like a logical move, considering the group members' genre-spanning tastes, but even with the addition of indie flair — handclaps, melodica, whistles, and glockenspiels — their music still sounds undeniably emo at its root. With the exception of a light, acoustic-based Neutral Milk-esque ballad ("Sunday, Morning After"), all of the songs fall into the sensitive-but-energetic category with big hooks, top string guitar riffs, aggressive distortion, and fun, youthful harmonies. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Settle's in their comfort zone playing material suitable for the Vans Warped Tour. But when they drift too far over into Bonnaroo territory, as they do on occasion, the music sounds forced and generic. Piling on the instrumentation only saturates things more, as the definition of their chops gets lost among the myriad of other sounds in the mix. The grimey dance synth of the "stand up to your parents"-themed "Naked at a Family Function," and the Franz Ferdinand meets "Don't Fear the Reaper" jam "On the Prowl," are the exceptions and manage to cut through and make a decent attempt at dance-rock. However, the group's at their best when they stay close to their roots and play quick and heavy numbers with crunchy guitar octaves like "Affinity for My Hometown," "Murder," and "Dance Rock Is the New Pasture," a surprisingly synth-free song that showcases their ability to shred and shout. In that vein, the bombastic, syncopated chorus of "Kick. Win!" is an epic grower worth hearing. If they can keep moving in this direction, the boys in Settle might be onto something big.
  

• LUCID FORCE (Canada) [+ Show ]
  

  Thank god for a rock 'n' roll band that wasn't discovered by Pete Wentz on MySpace. Their launch int...Thank god for a rock 'n' roll band that wasn't discovered by Pete Wentz on MySpace. Their launch into greater-known-territory, however, was still somewhat caused by MTV (they won a contest to lay a Cancun show during spring break), so imagine my relief that Settle are far closer to classic Hot Hot Heat than they are, say, Fall Out Boy.
  
  Right from the get-go, "Grand Marshall's Mooncloth Robes,” Settle show us that a little grind in the guitars, a little buzz in the pick-ups, and a lot of pop percussion is all it takes to get even the most embittered punk kid dancing again. They're not beyond the time-tested handclap break either.
  
  I'll bet these guys are tons of fun at a live show. With the ability to combine great crowd sing-a-long opportunities ("Murdeeeeeeerrrrr!!!") and tongue-in-cheek references ("Dance Rock Is The New Pasture,” “ISO: 40Yr M w/Kids Seeks 26Yr w/o Kids"), it's no wonder the four-piece had sold 20,000 units independently before Label-fate came calling. This is somewhere between We Are Scientists and Kill Radio, not quite as fantastic as either, but tight enough to want a few more listens. And maybe a few more dances, too.
  
  In other words: Come one, come all! You may wear your little sister's Dickies', but leave the attitude at home.

• ShakeFire [+ Show ]
  

  When I write reviews for CD's I will listen to the band so I can keep the feelings I have for the so...When I write reviews for CD's I will listen to the band so I can keep the feelings I have for the songs fresh in my head. With most cases this is a major help for me but in this one instance it is not so helpful. Listening to Settle: At Home We Are Tourists CD while trying to write was a distraction for me. Ok, so I shouldn't say distraction because that would lead you the reader to think that I mean it in a bad way. It's quite the opposite really, while playing the CD when I first started to write this I became more interested in listening to the songs then I was in writing, which led me to stop writing. So for now I have put the CD on pause to write this.
  With the opening song on the CD At Home We Are Tourists the song hits the listener with a hard smack in the face. Sounds of a chaotic mixture of synth and punk would make my father cover his ears while saying what is this noise. Noise it is not, well I suppose that's in the ear of the one listening, but for me it wasn't noise. Instead the song is full of energy and sounds that make your body feel like it's so full of energy that you can feel it tingle with the overabundance. This whole CD is like that, well not the chaotic sound that first comes from the speakers but the energy that the band has and puts into their songs.
  This is a band that has a mixing of synth, techno, pop, and punk all rolled into itself. Vocals are really good and though at times they reminded me of some bands from the late 90's but not so much that it was a copy of them. In fact when they are sung with the instrumentals of the songs what you get are songs that sound nothing like the 90's pop rock bands. Instead what you get is a new band Settle that can really rock out a song. Reading on the back cover of the CD it says that the band wrote 50 songs so they could pick out the 12 songs that are on the CD. If this is true and if the other 38 songs are similar to what is on this CD then I look forward to the 2 or 3 new CD's that they can put out. Settle is a fun and energetic band that makes listening to their songs a lot of fun. The only down side is if you are trying to do something serious while listening to Settle: At Home We Are Tourists then you might find it hard to concentrate. Other than that get ready to have some fun while listening to these songs.

• Rothnroll [+ Show ]
  

  A real cool band from U.S signed to Epitaph, with their debut mixed by Super Ken Andrews. An album ...A real cool band from U.S signed to Epitaph, with their debut mixed by Super Ken Andrews.
  An album that grows, it´s hard to label their sound but you will find them somewhere between atmospheric rock, electronica and punk.
  There´s something very British over them.

• Washington Square News (CMJ)
  

  SETTLE @ CMJ is a Fast-paced rock reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand.

• ElctrcMyhm (CMJ 2008) [+ Show ]
  

  SETTLE @ Fontana's CMJ 2008 is a "raucous indie rock band" well deserving to be heard again and agai...SETTLE @ Fontana's CMJ 2008 is a "raucous indie rock band" well deserving to be heard again and again...
  
  
  By ELLIOT (ElctrcMyhm) My goal is not to provide you with the most eloquent reviews, but only to shed some light on musicians who I feel deserve to be heard. That is all.

• SETTLE [+ Show ]
  

  By Kevan Breitinger Exuberant, infectious, and hot. In a nutshell. Contemporary punk and the ...By Kevan Breitinger
  
  Exuberant, infectious, and hot. In a nutshell.
  
  Contemporary punk and the odd disco flashback, Settle is a captivating mix, fresh and versatile. Four driving pieces of tight, tight musicianship, and solid lead vocals. Drummer Willie Rose is a powerhouse, ramming the opener “Weigh Down” down your throat with a joyful vengeance. Lots of thick, driving bass lines, as in standout track “Where Does That Leave Me.”
  
  No writing credits anywhere I could find, but the lyrics of these five songs are both original and interesting. The boy-sees-girl “Concrete Love” burns its way deep into your bones with its pulsating bass and outstanding vocals. The great jam feel alone could lead to one solid afternoon of continual replay, and I don’t mean while sitting calmly on the couch either. “In This Collision” keeps the heat going strong.
  
  Simply put, these guys are a high-energy mix of power, contagious melodies, and exuberant vocals. Look for them to break out and go as far as they want.
  

• Settle, Settle, Settle [+ Show ]
  

  Settle, Settle, Settle … what a deceiving name for this group! I hardly know where to begin describ...Settle, Settle, Settle … what a deceiving name for this group! I hardly know where to begin describing the eclectic style, immense dedication, and the overall intensity that these guys bring to their work. With a sound that’s a little bit retro, a little bit in-your-face, and a whole lot of fun, these guys will definitely give you something to get up and dance to. There’s a bouncy sort of energy that you won’t be able to resist. Go ahead and try. I dare you.
  
  If you’re looking for a cookie-cutter band, then keep on looking sweeties, ‘cause Settle isn’t it. I asked the guys how they would describe their sound. “We’ve been calling our music Dance Punk Explosion for a while now. That seems to fit nicely,” was Mike’s response. Nick chimed in with a similar answer, adding, “I prefer calling the genre: Awesome.” I don’t think I could say it much better myself. So yes Nick, awesome … simply awesome.
  
  The boys (and that would be Mike Pizarro, Nick Rose, Willie Rose, and Dave Goletz) recently played a show at Kate’s Kafe in Phillipsburg, NJ. I was fortunate enough to be able to check them out live. Believe me when I say that nothing is lost in their live performances. What you hear is what you get, and the energy is completely contagious. As a matter of fact, Nick was so animated while playing that I almost feared for his safety!
  
  While watching the guys at Kate’s, I paid careful attention to the audience. The funny thing was, they all looked like a bunch of zombies – but in a good way. I couldn’t see a single person not mesmerized by Settle’s performance. Everybody crowded around, and they were simply glued there. Their eyes rarely moved. Nobody was still. I bet if the guys told them to jump off a building, they’d all go without a second thought. The guys were nothing short of captivating, and their ability to command an audience astonished me.
  
  
  Jennifer Mattern
  www.AudioExposure.com
  

• The Eye Opener - [+ Show ]
  

  "If we fuck it up, don't put it in the article," Nick Rose, the mop-haired guitarist of Easton, Penn..."If we fuck it up, don't put it in the article," Nick Rose, the mop-haired guitarist of Easton, Pennsylvania-based Settle, warned before fiddling with his innumerable pedals. Bassist and vocalist, Mike Pizarro, who resembles a hybrid of a fraternity member and MTV News correspondent Gideon Yago, searched feverishly for the lyrics to The Who's "Baba O'Riley" in his piles of mildly crinkled papers. Willie Rose, the drummer and Nick's younger brother, waited patiently for his band mates.
  
  "Baba O'Riley" served as the perfect finish for the Friday night rehearsal. After practicing their set for a gig on Sunday at the Montana West, the band offered to cover the song upon discovering my personal love of The Who. Understandably, I was a bit skeptical that a band who claims their influences to be Weezer, Radiohead, Green Day, and At the Drive-In to play the song well.
  
  I had arrived at the College Hill house where Settle rehearses at eight-thirty expecting the typical humdrum and dull practice. A kind-faced, middle-aged man answered the door and ushered me to where the band was in the midpoint of a song.
  
  The room must have been a spare bedroom at some point, but now served as a practice space. Cork-colored foam padding, a sound buffer, lined the walls and an old flannel sheet haphazardly had been tacked over the lone window. Christmas lights lined the doors and ceiling for an unknown reason. Empty cups from various sources, crushed soda cans, and miscellaneous clothing littered the poorly lit room, typical of male inhabitance.
  
  When the song finished, introductions were quickly made before Settle launched into the set once again. I served as the quiet observer, watching intently and occasionally jotting down thoughts and notes. The trio stopped only a handful of times to talk with me, and instead mainly flowed from song to another with only allotted time for tuning and quick instruction.
  
  Nick rocked out and danced in the corner of the room, bobbing his head freely and forcefully stomping his foot like he was stomping cockroaches to the beat. Mike starkly contrasted Nick, opting to contort his eyebrows and forehead in order to give the lyrics more emotion. Unlike most drummers, Willie just steadily played the beat, only moving slightly to adjust himself on the stool.
  
  Each song managed to sound completely different from the predecessor, yet managed to sound strangely similar. From "Pretty, Pretty Face" to "Against the Wall" and "Get In/Get Out", all songs contained an unmistakable Settle trademark which sets the band's sound aside from the sound of their peers.
  
  Long before the boys wrapped "Baba O'Riley", my skepticism had faded and finally vanished. I realized that I was in the midst of an incredibly versatile band who could not only play their original works well, but could serve the works of others justice. For a band not consisting of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, Settle came within a hair of the real version, only with a small mistake at the end of the song.
  
  I finally left the Rose residence an hour after rehearsal had officially ended. However, this only marked the beginning of a crazy weekend filled with cigarette smoke, temporary hearing loss, and good old fashioned rock 'n' roll with the boys of Settle.
  
  *****
  
  At around one o'clock on Sunday, Corinne (right), The Eye Opener's photographer, and I arrived at the Montana West in Quakertown. The venue, as one would guess, had a Western flair complete with men dressed in cowboy type attire and the aroma of grilling red meat surrounding the venue. Immediately, we felt out of our league, and stood outside, fidgeting nervously.
  
  Minutes later, Settle pulled into the parking lot with their ox blood red van and hopped out. Nick smiled and waved to us as if we're old friends from high school before heading inside the venue. Willie followed, Mr. and Mrs. Rose trailed behind, with Mike left to rummage in the van.
  
  *****
  
  "So, how was it?" Mike interrupted the argument between Corinne and me over John Mayer and Dave Matthews singing similarities to question how their set had gone.
  
  "Good. Very good," I complimented with a slight mumble. My answer seemed to satisfy him, though, and after a few more minutes of chatting, he left the two of us to hand out free CD's.
  
  Corinne and I wandered the venue aimlessly as we waited for the next act, a singer/songwriter, to take the stage. Cigarette smoke swirled around us, clogging our airways and choking our senses. The multi-colored lights alleviated some of the darkness, but served mainly as migraine inducers.
  
  Nick spotted us during our time of aimless wandering near the rail by the stage and made his way over. He greeted us with a hesitant wave and a near-silent hello, which I returned. Just as his band mate, Mike, had done, Nick also excitedly asked my opinion on their set. A faint smile crossed his lips as I shared my opinion, broadening when the contrast of how much better they played than the previous band, Kinetic Blu, came into conversation. "Well, I'll talk to you guys later." Nick made the excuse of having to find Mike, managing a quick smile before he left.
  
  *****
  
  "It's not the most comfortable ride." "Well, it beats walking," I replied, mildly sarcastic, to Nick as the five of us situated ourselves in the cramped back of the van. Since my cell phone committed suicide, Corinne and I were left unable to call for a ride home, so Settle offered to take us back to Easton.
  
  The ride home was quiet, only interrupted by occasional unanswered comments and soft background music. Willie peered out the side window, watching the landscape change, while he balanced on an instrument case. Mike leaned against the side of the van, playing around with his cell phone and checking messages. Nick alternated between reading and rereading his water bottle and studying the floor. All three members' eyes displayed the fatigue that had come over their bodies.
  
  As I watched this scene, it dawned on me what Settle learned long ago. This was what being a musician was all about: sacrifices, determination, and above all love for the art. Like the bumper sticker above Mike's head read, this was "the house that rock built" and a sturdy one at that.
  
  End.
  
  

• SignalFading [+ Show ]
  

  We get lots of music here which represent every different style under the sun, but every once in a w...We get lots of music here which represent every different style under the sun, but every once in a while we get a cd that kicks us in the ass so hard we can’t do anything more than absolutely gush over how good it is. The samples Settle sent us made me do exactly that… Their press kit said they are working toward a genre all their own. I don't doubt that, but I also don’t know how much I agree with it either, since it reminded me of post-hardcore (think Quicksand/Rival Schools) but with a more melodic, pop/rock inspired feel to it.
  
  Settle’s got everything they need to get signed, should they choose to do so. Strong, natural vocals, powerful melodies, great lyrics, tight musicianship, exceptional songwriting skills, and a catchy sound that a lot of people are going to love highlight this emotionally driven rock outfit from Easton, PA. In fact, I liked the 3 songs they sent us so much, I actually took time out of my overly burdened daily schedule to go to their website and download every song they had up there. Needless to say, Settle stayed on repeat for about 2 hours (insert mental image of Brian bouncing around his apartment like a moron almost the entire time) before I had to start working on some other things.
  
  If you take my recommendations seriously, drop what you are doing this minute and go get some songs (“Coldlife” and “Commotion” were my two favorites)… Then sit back, let Settle run though you, and be completely blown away.
  
  I know I was.
  
  

Setlist

Settle®

Settle will release their smart, attention-grabbing debut At Home We Are Tourists on May 19th via Epitaph Records. Produced by Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Army Navy, Yo La Tengo) and mixed by Ken Andrews (Jimmy Eat World, Pete Yorn, BRMC), the Easton PA quartet's first full-length album is a pop dreamscape that deftly combines indie and dance rock that is alternately ironic and biting and deeply emotional and deliberative.

Citing influences from Elvis Costello to the Liars and inspiration from art to social networking sites, Settle's At Home We Are Tourists illustrates both the outlandish collection of pop culture that moves the band and an unusual ability to craft a remarkably accomplished first record.Five years of writing, revising and discarding allowed the band to amass 12 songs that range from fuzzed-out rockers to indie gems to synth-driven fetes that flow seamlessly one into the other to form a perfectly cohesive whole.

Standout tracks like the evocative "On the Prowl," the guitar-driven homage to the band's roots "Affinity For My Hometown," "ISO: 40yr M W/Kids Seeks 26yr F WO/Kids," and the exuberant "I Saw An Inferno Once" create one of the most interesting, unique and unforgettable debuts in recent memory.

Stay tuned for touring information and updates.

At Home We Are Tourists Tracklisting:

1. Grand Marshall's Mooncloth Robes
2. Naked At A Family Function
3. Rite Of Passage
4. ISO: 40yr M W/Kids Seeks 26yr F WO/Kids
5. Affinity For My Hometown
6. I Saw An Inferno Once
7. Murder
8. Sunday, Morning After
9. On the Prowl
10. Kick. Win!
11. Dance Rock Is The New Pasture
12. Into The Mind Of Those Who Commit Desperate Acts While Under The Influence Of Others

Basic Requirements

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