Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
...New York City’s Blake Christiana and fellow band mates bring forth a smattering of alternative country and pop, juke joint electric blues, and energetic jazz-rock...commercial radio better make way for the jam-oriented 70's groove of “Cecily” and the freewheeling pop of “Matthew’s Garden,” with Trevor MacArthur taking lead vocals and helm...the band rolls up their sleeves and digs down deep to uncover the gritty Americana gem of the detached “Hallelujah”. Fans of Ryan Adams will find familiarity and solace in Blake’s vocals; not since Jesse Malin has there been such a nice imitation. They continue on in the fashion of Adams’ Whiskeytown through the somber “Weight of the World” – all that’s missing is the female backing of a Caitlin Cary complete with fiddle, harmonica, and mandolin – and a light n’ lively rowdiness of “Women, Drugs, & Wine” (think something off of Heartbreaker or Gold)...What they do have...is the leadership from a guy who can sing (in an excellent folk-earthy voice) and write.
- Cory Graham - CDReviews.com
Stolen Days transforms the pastoral Americana sound into beautiful textures that draw on nostalgia and evoke a warm sense of province. Good enough to dazzle Roots airwaves and eccentric enough to leave an impression on college radio, Blake & The Family Dog subvert traditional Americana songwriting with a dash of personality. Songs like "Cecily" and "Matthew's Garden" blend catchy keys and commercial jingle-jangle to their signature "rurality". While every song is worthy of praise, I'd have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed "Birds". With its breezy stride and anthemic harmonies, this song is unforgetable!
- Ryan Hoffer - A&R - Shuteye Records
Baggot Inn 10pm, Blake and the Family Dog offer up a vision of Amerciana roots rock that's expansive beyond its members' tender years. The sextet's sound touches on familiar bases such as the Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews and Ryan Adams with secure musicianship and just enough fresh attitude peeking out frim behind its influences.
- Time Out NY
The time has come to return to great live Rock&Roll and Blues.
BLAKE & THE FAMILY DOG is a band that delivers in full. Strong musical influences such as The Beatles. The Grateful Dead, Crosby Stills & Nash and Bob Marley to name a few, have played a role in the band's creativity, skill and energy on stage. Blake Christiana (lead guitaristteinger-songwriter), Trevor Macarthur (guitarist/singer-songwriter) and Shane Spaulding/singer-songwriter), childhood friends. are accompanied by Dave Dodds on drums, Tom Kleinon bass and Michael Drexler on keyboards.
Performances at venues "The Van Dyck" in their hometown of Schenectady, to New York City's "Baggot Inn," "Kenny's Castaways," 'The C-note," "CBGB's Gallery." "Acme Underground." "Sin-E" and Boston's "Skybar" have resulted in a growing and loyal fan base. The cozy Baggot Inn is always filled to capacity at every show with audiences eager to hear their favorite songs and covers. Soulful lyrics to songs "My Life," "Big Green Ball," "The Game" and "Barfly" are sung by Blake,Trevor and Shane with vocal strength and abandonment while Dave, Tom and Michael maintain the pulse on their instruments and keep it together.
There are no gimmicks or props, just a mixture of musicians performing with authenticity. That's the hook, their music makes us contemplate the past, live in the moment, and hope for a brighter future. Blake & THE FAMILY DOG raises the bar on live performance. Currently they are recording their new studio CD at Quad Studios in Time Square, New York City with seasoned sound engineer Mark Gray who is also working on the new Roots album. To create the live sound, all the band members play simultaneously during the recording process. No doubt the CD will gain notable attention. This band should not be missed!
Catch Blake & The Family Dog locally before they tour nationwide. For more information, sounds and concert dates, please log on to www.blakechristiana.com
- Talent In Motion Magazine
Christiana returns to Van Dyck - Locals Back 'Tis still the season when musicians originally from here love to come back and play before hometown fans.
When blake Christiana and the Family Dog hit the downbeat at the Van Dyck on Saturday, Christiana, the bands leader, singer and main songwriter, guitarist Trevor MacArthur and singer Shane Spaulding will be performing in their hometown.
All three were members of Christiana's band KYGHNDNYSS that played for her often until it split up in 1996. They reformed as Blake Christiana and the Family Dog in 2002 in New York City, adding keyboardist Mike Drexler and drummer David Dodds. Their "Blake Christiana" debut album showcases a clean, economical acoustic and electric sound superior songwriting and singing
- Daily gazette
Discography
Blake & The Family Dog - Stolen Days
Blake & The Family Dog - Live at The Baggot Inn (Budweiser)
Daydream - WKZE, Sharon, CT
Untitled Wave - WEQX, Manchester, VT
Women, Drugs, & Wine - Engage Internet Radio
The Road - CRUMBS Internet Radio
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
“…. No gimmicks or props, just a mixture of accomplished musicians performing with authenticity.” – Talent In Motion magazine, Spring 2004
THE BAND: Blake Christiana and fellow band members Trevor McArthur (guitar, vocals), Tom Klein (bass), David Dodds (drums), Shane Spaulding (vocals), Michael Drexler (keyboards) have performed to an ever-growing number of fans since first hitting the Downtown New York City scene in October of 2002. Since then they’ve been regulars at venues like the Baggot Inn, The Lions Den and Sin-e, creating a buzz that’s getting hard to ignore.
“…. A vision of Americana roots rock that’s expansive beyond its members’ tender years.” – Time Out Magazine, July 15-22, 2004
THE MUSIC: Blake, Tom, Mike and Dave have all studied classical music as well as Jazz. All six band-members are accomplished musicians, sharing an intuitive approach to music while feeding off each other’s unique styles. Their musical influences range from Neil Young, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead to Wilco and Ryan Adams, resulting in an addictive mix of refreshingly honest lyrics and down-to-earth Rock that has become the band’s trademark. In their own words their music is described best as “hometown feel meets big city talent” – and fans and critics alike agree.
“Blake & The Family Dog raises the bar on live performance,” says Talent In Motion magazine, and the Daily Gazette in Albany raves about the “superior songwriting and singing”. “We just want to play good, honest, real music”, comments bandleader and main songwriter Blake Christiana, “we don’t think that much about fitting into what’s out there and on the radio. It’s all about showing our fans a good time, while enjoying ourselves and sharing our experiences through our songs”. 30,000 hits per month on their website confirm that they’re accomplishing their goal. Through their frequent performances at the Baggot Inn Budweiser became aware of the band and included them in their 2004 “True Music” campaign, resulting in the live recording of a show.
THE RECORD: “Stolen Days” is the band’s first studio record, featuring 13 songs about the joys, dreams and struggles of real life in today’s America. Engineered by long-time friend Dan Kocen, “Stolen Days” offers great songwriting, poetic lyrics that touch our soul and accomplished musicianship that underscores instead of overshadows the stories that are told. The songs on “Stolen Days” describe everyday moments – some big, some small, but all of them real, and fully lived - inviting us to do the same.
Blake & The Family Dog continuously perform live in the New York City area, Upstate New York, Boston and Philadelphia. For tour dates, a full press kit and bookings please contact www.blakeandthefamilydog.com
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