Brighton MA
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Brighton MA

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF
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"Album Review: Brighton MA "Oh Lost""

[4.5 stars out of 5]

Forming back in 2006, the indie-rock band Brighton MA is gearing up to release their sophomore album Oh Lost on April 2nd via Fast Plastic Records. Sharing stages with acts like Spoon and Arcade Fire, Brighton MA’s music has been featured on popular shows such as Gossip Girl, Community and One Tree Hill. More recently, they were a part of this year’s South By South West festival.

Opening up Oh Lost with the track “Bulletproof”, singer Matt Kerstein’s vocal style greatly resembles The Walkmen’s Hamiltion Leithauser – a band Brighton MA has been compared to in the past. As the perfect opening song to the new record, listeners are able to automatically feel what this band is all about. Brighton MA’s music style may resemble many others in the indie-rock genre, but the craftsmanship and structure of every song doesn’t go unnoticed.

Especially in times such as these, it is very easy for indie-rock acts to get clumped together in the same group of artists that sound exactly the same. But as Brighton MA shows in the third song off of Oh Lost, “Touch” is a platform that shows their honest lyrics. Brighton MA is an act that understands how important it is to preach honest lyrics to their listeners as a way to form a relationship with them. As an ode to an age group of people growing up and maturing, this track is perfect for the target audience looking for a track dedicated to looking at the past and feeling carefree – sharing lyrics like “kids like us trying to live off the touch” and a guitar tune that is filled with a melody of sheer nostalgia.

In the eighth slot of Oh Lost, listeners will find the perfect folk love song, “Good Kind of Crazy” that showcases Brighton MA’s versatility. They are able to not only create hard hitting rock songs and tunes full of indie soul, but they are able to use a mixture of acoustic guitars and horns to create a low key track that any listener of this music genre will love – the faint sound of organs in the background resembling a track you would find on Wilco’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”. As a track that was used last year as a part of an international TV and web campaign for Jack Daniels, it is clear that “Good Kind of Crazy” is easily one of the more popular and well composed songs on Oh Lost.

The album closes with “Wake The Dead”, an eery tune that is the perfect ending to Oh Lost. With the taunting drums, the mysterious guitar parts and the smooth vocal harmonies, the cohesiveness of this track is different from many other indie-rock acts. The eleven track album, however, is anything but ordinary. As the perfect sophomore album for these Chicago natives, expect to see them on the road this year and march your calenders on April 2nd – Oh Lost is one album you aren’t going to want to miss.

- Stitched Sound


"Album Review: Brighton MA "Oh Lost""

[4.5 stars out of 5]

Forming back in 2006, the indie-rock band Brighton MA is gearing up to release their sophomore album Oh Lost on April 2nd via Fast Plastic Records. Sharing stages with acts like Spoon and Arcade Fire, Brighton MA’s music has been featured on popular shows such as Gossip Girl, Community and One Tree Hill. More recently, they were a part of this year’s South By South West festival.

Opening up Oh Lost with the track “Bulletproof”, singer Matt Kerstein’s vocal style greatly resembles The Walkmen’s Hamiltion Leithauser – a band Brighton MA has been compared to in the past. As the perfect opening song to the new record, listeners are able to automatically feel what this band is all about. Brighton MA’s music style may resemble many others in the indie-rock genre, but the craftsmanship and structure of every song doesn’t go unnoticed.

Especially in times such as these, it is very easy for indie-rock acts to get clumped together in the same group of artists that sound exactly the same. But as Brighton MA shows in the third song off of Oh Lost, “Touch” is a platform that shows their honest lyrics. Brighton MA is an act that understands how important it is to preach honest lyrics to their listeners as a way to form a relationship with them. As an ode to an age group of people growing up and maturing, this track is perfect for the target audience looking for a track dedicated to looking at the past and feeling carefree – sharing lyrics like “kids like us trying to live off the touch” and a guitar tune that is filled with a melody of sheer nostalgia.

In the eighth slot of Oh Lost, listeners will find the perfect folk love song, “Good Kind of Crazy” that showcases Brighton MA’s versatility. They are able to not only create hard hitting rock songs and tunes full of indie soul, but they are able to use a mixture of acoustic guitars and horns to create a low key track that any listener of this music genre will love – the faint sound of organs in the background resembling a track you would find on Wilco’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”. As a track that was used last year as a part of an international TV and web campaign for Jack Daniels, it is clear that “Good Kind of Crazy” is easily one of the more popular and well composed songs on Oh Lost.

The album closes with “Wake The Dead”, an eery tune that is the perfect ending to Oh Lost. With the taunting drums, the mysterious guitar parts and the smooth vocal harmonies, the cohesiveness of this track is different from many other indie-rock acts. The eleven track album, however, is anything but ordinary. As the perfect sophomore album for these Chicago natives, expect to see them on the road this year and march your calenders on April 2nd – Oh Lost is one album you aren’t going to want to miss.

- Stitched Sound


"Local Q&A: Brighton MA"

Band name: Brighton, MA
Sound: On its just-released "Billboard Sun" EP, the indie-rock quintet channels the ragged glory of the Walkmen, veering between loosely anthemic rockers ("New Underground") and more introspective turns like the bruised "V-Day."
Need to know: The band has opened for Spoon, the Arcade Fire and the Walkmen, and its music has been featured on a diverse array of television programs, including "Community" and "Gossip Girl." In Dec. 2011, Brighton's song "Good Kind of Crazy" appeared in a holiday advertisement for Jack Daniels. The group recently finished basic tracking for its next, still-untitled full-length album, which it hopes to release sometime this spring.
Interviewed: Matt Kerstein, 30, Ukrainian Village

It seems like there's a lot of action surrounding the band now after a long stretch of inactivity.

That's definitely the case. I guess you'd call it growing pains. We switched up a couple key band members ... and it took a long time for this new lineup to come into its own. We also had a lot of recordings we went back and changed up. There was generally just a lot of fidgeting with things.

Did you have to have one of those "Rocky"-style musical training montages to prepare yourselves for this return?

[Laughs.] Something like that. But we have a lot of those, so it's not really anything special.

Jack Daniels featured "Good Kind of Crazy" in a recent advertisement. I'm guessing you guys aren't strangers to their product.

Oh yeah. It would have been a little hypocritical for us to be like, "Oh, we're not doing a whiskey ad." We all drink a lot of whiskey--or at least have it in our lives--so we definitely weren't opposed to doing an ad. It wasn't like that "Brady Bunch" episode where they were going to do that ad campaign but first they were like, "Well, we don't use that dish detergent, so we have to see if it works before we can sign up for the ad." We know it works.

Did you happen to catch the Twitter dustup between Avalanches and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver about the ad he did for Bushmills Irish Whiskey?

Dude, someone totally sent that to us and they were like, "You guys totally have something in common with Bon Iver." You're always going to have people who think you shouldn't be a part of something like that, but I think times are changing. The bottom line for us is we want to be making records and they cost money.

Oh, no doubt. Your music has also appeared on "Community," "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill." But if you could choose any program to have a song appear on what would it be?

A buddy of ours, Nathan Xander, got a tune on "Eastbound & Down," and I was kind of jealous of that. That's one show I would love to be on.

righton, MA is named for your childhood hometown. What's your fondest memory from growing up there?

I was born there and I lived there till I was 6 or 7, then we moved to the next town over. Our family was close friends with the family upstairs, and I have really good memories of roaming the neighborhood with our upstairs friends, like a little kid gang just running around the neighborhood causing trouble.

Have you ever been back to play a show in Brighton as Brighton, MA?

We haven't played there as Brighton, MA. Last time we played that are we were at the Middle East in Cambridge. But one of the clubs there just got reopened as Brighton Music Hall, so I'm hoping we get to play there soon.

With a name like Brighton, MA, I'm wondering how you are with geography in general?

I'm OK.

Could you name all the state capitols?

Probably at one time I could have, but no.

Then why lie and say you're 'okay' with geography?

[Laughs.] I thought maybe I could fake my way through. Maybe you and I just have a different standard. So I guess by your standards, no, I'm not very good with geography. - Red Eye Chicago


"Local Q&A: Brighton MA"

Band name: Brighton, MA
Sound: On its just-released "Billboard Sun" EP, the indie-rock quintet channels the ragged glory of the Walkmen, veering between loosely anthemic rockers ("New Underground") and more introspective turns like the bruised "V-Day."
Need to know: The band has opened for Spoon, the Arcade Fire and the Walkmen, and its music has been featured on a diverse array of television programs, including "Community" and "Gossip Girl." In Dec. 2011, Brighton's song "Good Kind of Crazy" appeared in a holiday advertisement for Jack Daniels. The group recently finished basic tracking for its next, still-untitled full-length album, which it hopes to release sometime this spring.
Interviewed: Matt Kerstein, 30, Ukrainian Village

It seems like there's a lot of action surrounding the band now after a long stretch of inactivity.

That's definitely the case. I guess you'd call it growing pains. We switched up a couple key band members ... and it took a long time for this new lineup to come into its own. We also had a lot of recordings we went back and changed up. There was generally just a lot of fidgeting with things.

Did you have to have one of those "Rocky"-style musical training montages to prepare yourselves for this return?

[Laughs.] Something like that. But we have a lot of those, so it's not really anything special.

Jack Daniels featured "Good Kind of Crazy" in a recent advertisement. I'm guessing you guys aren't strangers to their product.

Oh yeah. It would have been a little hypocritical for us to be like, "Oh, we're not doing a whiskey ad." We all drink a lot of whiskey--or at least have it in our lives--so we definitely weren't opposed to doing an ad. It wasn't like that "Brady Bunch" episode where they were going to do that ad campaign but first they were like, "Well, we don't use that dish detergent, so we have to see if it works before we can sign up for the ad." We know it works.

Did you happen to catch the Twitter dustup between Avalanches and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver about the ad he did for Bushmills Irish Whiskey?

Dude, someone totally sent that to us and they were like, "You guys totally have something in common with Bon Iver." You're always going to have people who think you shouldn't be a part of something like that, but I think times are changing. The bottom line for us is we want to be making records and they cost money.

Oh, no doubt. Your music has also appeared on "Community," "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill." But if you could choose any program to have a song appear on what would it be?

A buddy of ours, Nathan Xander, got a tune on "Eastbound & Down," and I was kind of jealous of that. That's one show I would love to be on.

righton, MA is named for your childhood hometown. What's your fondest memory from growing up there?

I was born there and I lived there till I was 6 or 7, then we moved to the next town over. Our family was close friends with the family upstairs, and I have really good memories of roaming the neighborhood with our upstairs friends, like a little kid gang just running around the neighborhood causing trouble.

Have you ever been back to play a show in Brighton as Brighton, MA?

We haven't played there as Brighton, MA. Last time we played that are we were at the Middle East in Cambridge. But one of the clubs there just got reopened as Brighton Music Hall, so I'm hoping we get to play there soon.

With a name like Brighton, MA, I'm wondering how you are with geography in general?

I'm OK.

Could you name all the state capitols?

Probably at one time I could have, but no.

Then why lie and say you're 'okay' with geography?

[Laughs.] I thought maybe I could fake my way through. Maybe you and I just have a different standard. So I guess by your standards, no, I'm not very good with geography. - Red Eye Chicago


"Brighton MA prepare to release "Oh Lost""

The indie rock band, Brighton MA, is prepared to launch their new album,”Oh Lost,” on April 2nd. The band comes from Chicago and has been around since 2006 it would seem. I can’t believe it took me this long to hear their music but on first listen to their single titled “Touch” I couldn’t help but compare their style to musical giants Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The music video for the song is attached below, so be sure to check that out as well. According to a press release, the band is planning to tour extensively in 2013 in support of “Oh Lost” and I’m hoping that Sight of Sound Magazine can get out and cover a show during that stint. Head over to Brighton MA‘s Facebook, Twitter or Official site for all the breaking news on the band and be sure to check back in with Sight of Sound Magazine for a full album review in April. Keep an eye on Brighton MA this year because something tells me we might following the birth of the next Black Keys or Arcade Fire. - Sight of Sound Magazine


"Brighton MA prepare to release "Oh Lost""

The indie rock band, Brighton MA, is prepared to launch their new album,”Oh Lost,” on April 2nd. The band comes from Chicago and has been around since 2006 it would seem. I can’t believe it took me this long to hear their music but on first listen to their single titled “Touch” I couldn’t help but compare their style to musical giants Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The music video for the song is attached below, so be sure to check that out as well. According to a press release, the band is planning to tour extensively in 2013 in support of “Oh Lost” and I’m hoping that Sight of Sound Magazine can get out and cover a show during that stint. Head over to Brighton MA‘s Facebook, Twitter or Official site for all the breaking news on the band and be sure to check back in with Sight of Sound Magazine for a full album review in April. Keep an eye on Brighton MA this year because something tells me we might following the birth of the next Black Keys or Arcade Fire. - Sight of Sound Magazine


"Brighton MA prepare to release "Oh Lost""

The indie rock band, Brighton MA, is prepared to launch their new album,”Oh Lost,” on April 2nd. The band comes from Chicago and has been around since 2006 it would seem. I can’t believe it took me this long to hear their music but on first listen to their single titled “Touch” I couldn’t help but compare their style to musical giants Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The music video for the song is attached below, so be sure to check that out as well. According to a press release, the band is planning to tour extensively in 2013 in support of “Oh Lost” and I’m hoping that Sight of Sound Magazine can get out and cover a show during that stint. Head over to Brighton MA‘s Facebook, Twitter or Official site for all the breaking news on the band and be sure to check back in with Sight of Sound Magazine for a full album review in April. Keep an eye on Brighton MA this year because something tells me we might following the birth of the next Black Keys or Arcade Fire. - Sight of Sound Magazine


"Brighton MA prepare to release "Oh Lost""

The indie rock band, Brighton MA, is prepared to launch their new album,”Oh Lost,” on April 2nd. The band comes from Chicago and has been around since 2006 it would seem. I can’t believe it took me this long to hear their music but on first listen to their single titled “Touch” I couldn’t help but compare their style to musical giants Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The music video for the song is attached below, so be sure to check that out as well. According to a press release, the band is planning to tour extensively in 2013 in support of “Oh Lost” and I’m hoping that Sight of Sound Magazine can get out and cover a show during that stint. Head over to Brighton MA‘s Facebook, Twitter or Official site for all the breaking news on the band and be sure to check back in with Sight of Sound Magazine for a full album review in April. Keep an eye on Brighton MA this year because something tells me we might following the birth of the next Black Keys or Arcade Fire. - Sight of Sound Magazine


"Brighton MA - Billboard Sun EP"

Not long ago, I’d considered introducing a friend to Brighton MA and their Billboard Sun. Its soars and gentle complexities seemed to nearly bind to the type of music I’d noticed a friend tended to be drawn to.

And then I balked at the idea, and I’ll tell you why. It isn’t because I don’t like Brighton MA. (That could never be true anyway — see question three.) Instead, it’s because Brighton’s music is so damn sexy. For whatever reason, then, I figured my tiny act of charity might be taken the wrong way.

You see, Brighton MA, as they are on their new EP at least, seem to make music steeped in romance. Not all positive and good, of course. In fact much of Billboard Sun is overseen by our hopeless romantic of a narrator. But romance, through and through. Sentimental rock.


Besides this truth, what separates Brighton MA from a lot of the other bands I write about here is the command of its lead vocalist. Matthew Kerstein throws a lot of weight around, and in so doing comes prepared with an attractive purpose. He projects beautifully, and so warmly.

As such, what Brighton MA had me doing was follow along to a collection of songs with a vocalist as its drum major. More often than not Matthew’s voice would initiate the climaxes, peak the builds. My attention would be trained on him because it had to be.

That is, of course, up to a point. About halfway through Billboard Sun’s seven tracks, a dramatic shift happens. At track five — “Sweet Delusions” — Matthew stays on, of course, but steps aside some as the other instruments in his atmosphere are given more to do.”Far Thee Well,” after humble beginnings, actually ends with two minutes of jam.

“Sweet Delusions,” though, is I think the best of the lot. It also happens to be the least Billboard Sun-like track on Billboard Sun, so that’s interesting. It’s loud, and brash — by Brighton MA standards, anyway — and is coated with a few surprises. The guitars, even, go fuzzy once things get going. - Chicago Tunes


"Brighton MA - Billboard Sun EP"

Not long ago, I’d considered introducing a friend to Brighton MA and their Billboard Sun. Its soars and gentle complexities seemed to nearly bind to the type of music I’d noticed a friend tended to be drawn to.

And then I balked at the idea, and I’ll tell you why. It isn’t because I don’t like Brighton MA. (That could never be true anyway — see question three.) Instead, it’s because Brighton’s music is so damn sexy. For whatever reason, then, I figured my tiny act of charity might be taken the wrong way.

You see, Brighton MA, as they are on their new EP at least, seem to make music steeped in romance. Not all positive and good, of course. In fact much of Billboard Sun is overseen by our hopeless romantic of a narrator. But romance, through and through. Sentimental rock.


Besides this truth, what separates Brighton MA from a lot of the other bands I write about here is the command of its lead vocalist. Matthew Kerstein throws a lot of weight around, and in so doing comes prepared with an attractive purpose. He projects beautifully, and so warmly.

As such, what Brighton MA had me doing was follow along to a collection of songs with a vocalist as its drum major. More often than not Matthew’s voice would initiate the climaxes, peak the builds. My attention would be trained on him because it had to be.

That is, of course, up to a point. About halfway through Billboard Sun’s seven tracks, a dramatic shift happens. At track five — “Sweet Delusions” — Matthew stays on, of course, but steps aside some as the other instruments in his atmosphere are given more to do.”Far Thee Well,” after humble beginnings, actually ends with two minutes of jam.

“Sweet Delusions,” though, is I think the best of the lot. It also happens to be the least Billboard Sun-like track on Billboard Sun, so that’s interesting. It’s loud, and brash — by Brighton MA standards, anyway — and is coated with a few surprises. The guitars, even, go fuzzy once things get going. - Chicago Tunes


"Concert Review: Brighton MA at Schubas"

I was fortunate to be in attendance for the first of two shows with Brighton MA at Schubas last night. The night's opening band, Flight, made the trip in from Madison and proceeded to win over the slowly building crowd. Lead by the intoxicating force and beauty of Jentri Colello, Fight gave out copies of their demo ep and is currently working on a full-length album. Blending the sultry nature of St. Vincent with the rockier side of Feist and a heavy dose of atmospherics, Flight was a pleasure to hear.

As the room filled to capacity, as the show was sold out, Elsinore took the stage. Coming from down state, the band brought a strong college following with them. Their sound was polished, but a little all over the board. With traces of Phoenix, Wolfmother, and even a Postal Service cover, the band is still searching for a true sound but still making radio ready pop in the process.

Finally, just after midnight Brighton MA took the stage and showed the crowd how it is done. This is a band that should be so much bigger than they are, and we are lucky they call Chicago home. Holding a clinic on alt-country, they played with precision and style and a maturity that is undeniable. Matthew Kerstein controlled the crowd, drank a beer, and sang with a passion and joy that transformed the songs from their full-length Amateur Lovers into something so much more.

The entire evening I was wearing my new set of EarLove earplugs. Created here in Chicago, these Hi-Fi earplugs surprisingly enhanced the sound of the while eliminated the background noise. This morning I report that my ears are not ringing as they would normally be post show.

You can catch Brighton MA again tonight at Schubas with Andrew Belle and Tacoma Narrows. - Deli Chicago


"Concert Review: Brighton MA at Schubas"

I was fortunate to be in attendance for the first of two shows with Brighton MA at Schubas last night. The night's opening band, Flight, made the trip in from Madison and proceeded to win over the slowly building crowd. Lead by the intoxicating force and beauty of Jentri Colello, Fight gave out copies of their demo ep and is currently working on a full-length album. Blending the sultry nature of St. Vincent with the rockier side of Feist and a heavy dose of atmospherics, Flight was a pleasure to hear.

As the room filled to capacity, as the show was sold out, Elsinore took the stage. Coming from down state, the band brought a strong college following with them. Their sound was polished, but a little all over the board. With traces of Phoenix, Wolfmother, and even a Postal Service cover, the band is still searching for a true sound but still making radio ready pop in the process.

Finally, just after midnight Brighton MA took the stage and showed the crowd how it is done. This is a band that should be so much bigger than they are, and we are lucky they call Chicago home. Holding a clinic on alt-country, they played with precision and style and a maturity that is undeniable. Matthew Kerstein controlled the crowd, drank a beer, and sang with a passion and joy that transformed the songs from their full-length Amateur Lovers into something so much more.

The entire evening I was wearing my new set of EarLove earplugs. Created here in Chicago, these Hi-Fi earplugs surprisingly enhanced the sound of the while eliminated the background noise. This morning I report that my ears are not ringing as they would normally be post show.

You can catch Brighton MA again tonight at Schubas with Andrew Belle and Tacoma Narrows. - Deli Chicago


Discography

Oh Lost [full length] 2013
Touch [single] 2012
Billboard Sun [EP] 2012
Live at Schubas [EP] 2009
Amateur Lovers [full length] 2008
Self Titled [EP] 2006

Photos

Bio

Indie-rockers Brighton MA have come into their own through refining their signature bursting emotionality with concise song structures and expansive dynamics on their sophomore album, Oh Lost. In an era of hyper stimulation, the arresting clarity of the Chicago-based quartets latest reminds us to not lose sight of the simple beauty of life.

On the lead track Touch, singer-songwriter Matt Kerstein recalls how in youth were more emotionally available and attuned to the wonder of life. He sings with tender weariness: Kids like us trying to live off the Touch. Kerstein notes: Everyone related and felt those lyrics so they could just focus on the music around the words. Besides being a conceptual touchstone, the track marked an aesthetic one as Brighton MA hit upon a punchier approach to song arrangement. That was a turning point because of its general simplicity. It was one of the first tunes in a fresh batch after the last album. It developed quickly and we kept it simple with driving immediacy.

Producer Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse) tracked Oh Lost in Chicago at Engine Studios. His sensitivity to Brighton MAs endearingly scruffy hooks and romantic volatility helped him embolden the bands approach with adventurous textures and concise arrangements. He came to rehearsals with a scalpel and he spearheaded a lot of experimentation, singer Matt Kerstein says, summing up Decks contributions.

The band also benefitted from the first-time opportunity of having an uninterrupted month-long block to record. This chance at sustained creativity allowed the band the freedom to see new ideas through and be more detail oriented with performances and dynamics. In addition to the luxury of non-rushed studio time, Brighton MA also benefited from finding a wellspring of inspiration with the addition of fresh blood. Singer-songwriter Kerstein and Brighton MA drummer Sam Koentopp were in Scotland Yard Gospel Choir together and, along with arranger/guitarist Jim Tuerk, have been the foundation of Brighton MA since 2006. In 2007 the trio welcomed into the fold guitarist Joe Darnaby, and bassist Jon Ozaksut.

The critically-acclaimed indie-rock quintet has been applauded for its innate lysergic folkie, noise-pop aesthetic and bold vulnerability, garnering favorable comparison to The Walkmen, The Flaming Lips, and Bob Dylan. Brighton MA has shared the stages with Spoon, The Arcade Fire, Old 97s, Elvis Perkins, and Mason Jennings. The group has had songs licensed by the TV shows Gossip Girl, Community, Castle, Ghost Whisperer, and One Tree Hill. Most recently, their signature tune, Good Kind of Crazy (featured on Oh Lost), was licensed by Jack Daniels for an international television and web campaign scheduled to air through 2012.

Band Members