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The best kept secret in music
Press
'Music this ethereal doesn't get much poppier than "Into Beauty," an aptly titled track that in a perfect world would be topping the national charts at adult-alternative radio before the year is out.'
- Ed Masley,
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
For the full article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04296/399518.stm
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Writer: LESLIE FLEISHER
In a musical climate dominated by bands that sound as if they just stepped out of another pop-cultural era, it seems as if sporting a savvy, retro sensibility is all the rage. Too bad so many bands that take cues from their genre-defining predecessors seem more focused on easily marketed style than sonic substance, choosing instead to ride the aesthetic coattails of recycled fashion and ironic hairstyles to fame and fortune.
But all cynicism aside, it’s refreshing to occasionally come across a band that evokes a nostalgic sound with passion and sincerity, distilling the essence of its musical influences while creating something heartfelt and original.
The veteran lineup of Pittsburgh’s Between the Waters, featuring former members of The Garden, Blue Sun and Mindless Faith, boasts the musical experience and maturity to acknowledge and embrace its musical influences, but the vision and drive to take risks in developing its own sound. On the group’s debut CD, Connection, guitarist Christine Sacramento, bassist Anthony LaCava, singer-songwriter/guitarist Patricia Wake, violinist Tanya Kavalkovich and drummer James Perry craft densely woven melodies and moody, chorus-drenched hooks that recall the best of ’80s ethereal pop/rock outfits you might have caught on MTV’s 120 Minutes back in the day; imagine a Celtic pop band on melancholy, dreamy-pop label 4AD. However, the delicacy of such atmospheric, folk-tinged pop can sometimes be overshadowed in a rock ’n’ roll kind of a town.
“Sometimes it’s very difficult being in a local band that’s not the Iron City House Rockers,” Sacramento laughs. “But we’re hoping the new record will help introduce people to something different that’s happening in the local music scene.”
- Pittsburgh City Paper
Discography
Connection, 2004 LP
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
“Music this ethereal doesn't get much poppier than ‘Into Beauty,’ an aptly titled track that in a perfect world would be topping the national charts at adult-alternative radio before the year is out.” Ed Masley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“…densely woven melodies and moody, chorus-drenched hooks that recall the best of ’80s ethereal pop/rock outfits you might have caught on MTV’s 120 Minutes back in the day; imagine a Celtic pop band on melancholy, dreamy-pop label 4AD.” – Leslie Fleisher, Pittsburgh City Paper
“Between the Waters' 'Connection' recaptures the mid-to-late 80's college radio sound with great bravado, using classic rock structures, yet adding a gypsy feel with the addition of Christine's harp-like acoustic guitar work and Tanya K.'s melodic violin on songs such as "Shifting Sand", "Silence" (great lyrics on that one!), and "Tidal Wave". Singer Patricia's voice is multi-layered and shows great range, especially on "Into Beauty", which has an infectious melody that stays with you long after playing the CD, and truly takes center stage on "Be Here". My favorite is "Starry Nights" - it's a classic alternative rock groove.” – Monica Richards of Strange Boutique, Faith and the Muse
“The Between the Waters record was a true pleasure to mix. It’s a treat to work on music that I would also listen to as a fan. Between the Waters recalls the best of the darker 80’s bands like the Cure and modern day sirens like Natalie Merchant to create a sound all their own.” - Matt Brown of Trespassers William [Bella Union Records]
“Connection is a hauntingly beautiful collection of songs in the vein of Kristin Hersh or early Sundays. A work of real substance.” Brian Hazard - 11th Records
"A heavenly mix of luscious vocals, emotional lyrics, and layers of powerful instrumentation. Ethereal rock at it's best!!!" Randy LeMasters - Randy's Music Emporium
Descended from such acts as Lush, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths and The Church, and further informed by brooding songwriters Polly Jean Harvey and Kristin Hersh, Between The Waters plays in the intersection of Dream Pop, Jangle Pop and Folk Rock. Pop-sensible song writing and substantial lyrical themes are housed in a soundscape of texture and sensuality, an almost tangible sonic space where style and content carry equal weight.
The band is pleased to release Connection, their first full-length CD, in October 2004. Eleven songs (plus a bonus remix) explore the search for personal identity by comparison with various relationships, underlined by examination of the past to make sense of the present. The CD is mixed by Matt Brown of Trespassers William (Bella Union Records), who adds a surrealism which brilliantly compliments the subject matter. "The Between the Waters record was a true pleasure to mix," says Matt. "It's a treat to work on music that I would also listen to as a fan. Between the Waters recalls the best of the darker 80's bands like the Cure and modern day sirens like Natalie Merchant to create a sound all their own."
Formed in May of 2002, Between The Waters is comprised of five Pittsburgh, PA music-scene veterans. Guitarist Christine Sacramento, bassist Anthony LaCava and violinist Tanya Kavalkovich collaborated for years in The Garden, one of Pittsburgh's most successful and long-lived ethereal acts. Tanya was also a member of Underflowers and Isabelle, and is still a member of EQ, an electric string quartet. Drummer James Perry's credits include Blue Sun, Prague (led by MACE frontman Peter Guellard), and Six Gun Jury. Vocalist Patricia Wake has provided ethereal backup vocals for industrial-rockers Mindless Faith, worked with a variety of Celtic Folk groups, and appeared in several "Pittsburgh all-star" tribute shows.
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