When Planets Align
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When Planets Align

Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE

Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE
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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Album Review: When Planets Align - Radio Silence"

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009, Boom Boom Chik blog

Album Review: When Planets Align - Radio Silence

I was recently treated to a copy of Radio Silence, the first EP from indie rock newcomers When Planets Align. Hailing from LA, and on the Planet LA Records Imprint, Radio Silence has 7 solid tracks giving you a taste of the indie scene coming from our friends out west.

What caught my attention most about this band is the unique sounding vocals both singers Pinkstar and Johnny Heaven have on their respective tracks. On the tracks where they combine their talent, the two vocal tones really give you a difference listening experience.

Some stand out tracks on the album are the single "Radio Silence" and the upbeat, Spanish influence track "Santa Anna" (Prob my favorite track on the album).

While not every track will make it to the radio, the combination of both voices, along with the catchy guitar riffs makes this band worth checking out.

EnjoY!
When Planets Align - Santa Anna - Boom Boom Chik blog


""Rock de L.A.""

09.21.2009 "Rock De L.A."

...Por el otro lado, también tenemos la música de When Plantes Align, que es mucho más ligera, un rock que le tira mucho a lo pop, pero que sigue manteniendo esa alma californiana de las guitarras eléctricas y los compases alargados.

Sus integrantes se han esforzado en ofrecer al público un rock bailable y muy old school. Podría resultar una propuesta común, sin embargo traen frescura a la escena del indie rock y lo mejor de todo, es música sin pretenciones.

Su primer sencillo “Hey Gwen” incluye estribillos que recuerdan a los cantos (bastante comunes en California) de las porristas que animan a sus equipos. El EP Radio Silence ya se encuentra disponible en Planet LA Records.
- Reformusic.com.mx blog (Mexico)


"Planet LA"

2009-09-15 "Planet LA"

When Planets Align (bilden. Duh) och Throwing Seven är två ganska nya band som ligger på det ganska nya skivbolaget Planet LA Records. Båda banden spelar indiepoprock (även om Throwing Seven kan tyckas gå mer åt punkrock-hållet) och båda är dessutom rätt sköna! De har också varsin EP ute i dessa dagar titulerade Radio Silence (WPA) och Hope Forgets to Breathe (TS). Jag tänkte så här att jag gör det enkelt och lägger upp en favoritlåt från vardera EP så får vi hoppas att fler tycker ganska likt.
- No Modest Bear blog (Sweden)


""Dig for Victory: When Planets Align""

"For better or for worse, many (many) artists receiving blog coverage are Brooklyn-based. The sheer critical mass of creative types relocating to the borough makes this par for the course, yet it makes it all the more interesting for writers to check in on other scenes and locales to see what's going on.

Los Angeles is one such spot; a location steeped in rock history but less influential in the current prime of indie-rock obsessions. One band bridging the gap, to an extent, is When Planets Align.

With a melodic rock foundation that wouldn't have been out of place on mainstream rock radio so many years ago, the Californian quartet mix classic rock truisms with eclectic influences (check the flamenco intro on General Santa Anna), with memorable results. With modern twists to the sound, they avoid getting bogged down in the quicksand of classic rock influence and put out a sunshine vibe that marks out the myriad benefits of their chosen home. Writing this on a cold, foreboding Brooklyn day in the driving rain, it's a welcome aural contrast.

With an album due later this year, When Planets Align will build up with some dates around their way come Spring. Unfortunately nothing for the East coast at the moment, although when they do eventually turn up it's to be hoped they bring the sunshine, both in a musical and meteorological sense."
- Heaver Than Air blog


""Radio Silence" a Top Ten Finalist"

"Good Groove!! Really liked the song! Nice lyrical thematic content and good imagery. Good song structure and a well put together arrangement. Nice vocal and instrumental performances. Good Work!!"
- Mike Pinder's Song Wars


"Indie on Air interview and radio play featuring When Planets Align & Planet LA Records"

"Indie on Air hosted by Jeff "Classic" Popka, with Planet LA Records featuring When Planets Align band..." - Indie on Air


"When Planets Align in studio at the University of Arizona"

"A while back we had Planet LA Records founder Mark Nguyen in the studio to talk about his start up label with their creative ideas and alternative business model. Additionally, the label's primary signee, When Planets Align (featuring Mark's vocal talent), played a few songs for us. Check it all out below!..." - KAMP University of Arizona radio


"Foxy Roxy interviews When Planets Align w/in studio performance"

"Foxy Roxy interviews LA band When Planets Align... also performing Radio Silence and Nightfall Nemesis in studio." - Jelly Drop Shop radio, Las Vegas NV


"WPA interview on Sunset Rock Japan"

WPA interviewed on "Sunset Rock" Japan radio station... including about the new EP album Radio Silence.

- Sunset Rock radio station, Japan


Discography

When Planets Align released their debut EP album "Radio Silence" on September 9, 2009 with support from indie label Planet LA Records. The title track "Radio Silence" also was featured as a Top Ten finalist in Mike Pinder's Song Wars and has received airplay on Internet and college radio.

1. Life's Too Short
2. Radio Silence
3. Hey Gwen!
4. I Want You
5. General Santa Anna
6. California Bride

The EP was produced by Rodrigo Nunes (Brazilian) and recorded at Mandala studio in Sherman Oaks, CA. The EP was mastered by Chris Bellman of Bernie Grundman Mastering studio.

WPA's upcoming LP "Universe in Me" is produced by Elias Issa (Brazilian) and was recorded at Video Symphony and Blue Thumb studios in Burbank, CA. The LP features 11 original songs and is due out in January 2011 from Planet LA Records.

1. Scent of an Enemy
2. Prayer (Intro to Universe in Me)
3. Universe in Me
4. Crush the Stars
5. You are My Life
6. Nightfall Nemesis
7. Dream Within a Dream
8. Living in the Grey
9. Story for a Crow
10. She Knows Just Who I Am
11. LA, I'll Be Back Someday
12. If the World Ended

WPA and their music have been featured on radio shows including KAMP (University of Arizona) Global1FM (Virgin Media), Indie104 (Los Angeles), KWSS 106.7 FM (Phoenix), Foxy Roxy show (Las Vegas), Indie Revolution Show (Long Island, NY), MVYRadio (Martha's Vineyard, MA), Banana Peel Radio (Vancouver, Canada), RadioRockCafe (Montreal, Canada); blogs including Boom Boom Chik, Heavier Than Air, No Modest Bear (Sweden), Reformusic (Mexico), Sunset Rock (Japan), Indiezine, among others.

Photos

Bio

When Planets Align (WPA) formed as a band project in L.A. in early 2009 with core members Mark Nguyen (Vietnamese) and Juan Lizarazo (Colombian) who met while studying music production at UCLA Extension, and later added Jacqueline Van Bierk (German) as a guest performer, then David Lopez as their drummer and Ben Reiss on bass as they started performing live. They released an EP album "Radio Silence" in fall 2009 after spending a summer together recording without having performed as a band.

The band discovered they had elusive musical chemistry and were driven to sacrifice their day jobs and focus on recording a full-length album, which has taken over a year to complete. Their sound has evolved and become more progressive while retaining its global vibe, catchy guitar riffs and clever lyrics.

Their upcoming LP album "Universe in Me" has 11 original songs and is due out in early 2011 with the title track coming September 2010 (preview here). The title track features the sitar, tabla and vocal harmonies by Indian artist Heli Kools, and explores mankind's path towards nirvana. Other upcoming singles include "If the World Ended" about the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012 and "Scent of an Enemy" about historic European war battles.

WPA has performed extensively at well-known venues in the L.A.-area including the Viper Room, Key Club, Slidebar, Good Hurt, Mr T's, Molly Malone's and has toured in the Southwest including gigs in Arizona and Las Vegas, and preparing for a wider tour to support the launch of the new album in January 2011.