Candidate

We caught up with Candidate when they released their debut album A New Life last year.

Now relocated to NYC, the band continue draw inspiration from mid ’80s British indie, releasing their newest track, ‘April Again’. It continues their love affair with this sound while it has a much more uptempo feel, echoing harmonies, ear-catching electric guitar riffs and a very real shimmering aesthetic. A great way to re-introduce themselves and here’s hoping it’s not too long till we hear more from these guys.

Check it out and download ‘April Again’ for free below. - Barrygruff

I haven't tried this out yet, but I have a distinct feeling that Brooklyn's Candidate might provide a pretty good soundtrack for the next international flight you find yourself stuck on. The band's steady spaciness and alt-guitar chug-chug energy could work as an excellent backdrop to aviation... and likewise, the band has some lofty dreams, coming a long way even just since their singles posted from last year.
Their newest song, 'April Again,' charts singer Cedric Sparkman's realization of not getting what he wants out of love, while his bandmates' backing vocals provide a down-to-earth muse to second his thoughts. This back-and-forth between the trio's members is a great strength, and makes the group's shiny guitars and rolling bass lines work together as a well-oiled machine. Though it also sounds like this girl might still be giving him some issues... Catch them when they play The Trash Bar on Thursday May 17th. - The Deli NYC

Brooklyn-based trio Candidate embraces four decades of American and British rock and roll and wraps it up in a sweet little twenty-first-century indie package. Guitarists Laurence Adams and Cedric Sparkman, who hail from Hazard, Kentucky, bonded over a Smiths album and eventually went on to form the Poor Richards. They soon added Cincinnati native Jason Matuskiewicz, who learned the bass for their new trio, Varsovia. The band changed its name to Candidate and played its first show ever in their original hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, in November 2010, followed seven months later by the release of its debut disc, A New Life, a delightful collection of pop hooks that includes such infectious songs as “I’d Come Running” and “Never Get Enough.”

Not to be confused with the UK band of the same name, Candidate then moved to Brooklyn, where it is currently putting the finishing touches on its sophomore effort, which features a dramatic leap forward on such powerful tunes as “April Again,” “Brutal,” and the horn-laden “NYC or Bust,” on which Sparkman declares, “One day I will die / and wish I’d given it a try / I will not just survive / I will thrive / So as fast as I can run / You will see me, here I come.” Hot on the heels of its February 3 appearance at the Cameo Gallery, Candidate is coming to Mercury Lounge on Valentine’s Day, playing with Brother Reverend, followed by a free gig at Spike Hill on February 27 with I Anthem, American Restless, and the Matt Albeck Group. Matuskiewicz, who handles much of the band’s blogging, recently discussed Brooklyn, bromance, earboners, and more in our latest twi-ny talk. - This Week In New York

Brooklyn rock n’rollers, Candidate, are nostalgic of tunes out of the UK circa 1985. They’ve got the tired heartbreak sound down but keep the tempo up to get you in the mood for shuffling on the dance floor. Their newest track, “April Again,” has more of an upgraded indie influence with echoing harmonies and ear-catching electric guitar riffs. - Indie Rock Reviews

Brooklyn dream rockers Candidate recently released the moody track, “City of Hate,” on their PureVolume page and earned themselves the title of Song of the Day… yay!?

While PureVolume may not always be the best indicator of indie gems (the site’s current top 30 includes two powerpop covers of “Call Me Maybe”), this track is definitely an exceptional case. “City of Hate” has a ‘90s industrial feel while still retaining the band’s dream-rock roots. It kicks off with some indistinguishable static that continues to the very end without getting obnoxious. Candidate creates a heavy melodic tune that appeals to the angsty teenager in all of us.

Candidate is currently offering bunches of free music on their PureVolume, so take advantage of their generosity while you can! Also, stay tuned for the band’s upcoming fall release, which includes “City of Hate.” - In Your Speakers

Brooklyn quartet Candidate are bringing fuzzy, psychedelic flair to alt rock with their new song "City of Hate." From its initial bursts of static, the song continues to twist and turn through hazy, atmospheric soundscapes, distorted guitars, and vocals that alternate between hushed and abrasive. And, true to its name, this one takes on a strong industrial vibe -- though it all feels a bit like walking through the debris of a city that's fallen to ruins. Give it a spin, and take note that the track comes off the band's forthcoming, sophomore album, slated for a Fall 2012 release. - Pure Volume - Song Of The Day

Brooklyn quartet Candidate released, A New Life, their DIY debut album last year. It was a lo-fi, shoegazey 10 track effort that saw them gain a humble but solid fanbase.
Their new single, ‘April Again’, which is to be part of their second effort due for release later this year, steps things up a notch.
A fantastically scuzzy guitar melody sits beneath a dreamy vocal that is surrounding by vibey, 60's harmonies.
It’s the sound of a band making a big leap forward. We’ll keep you posted on news about the record. It’s one we’re excited about. - When The Gramophone Rings

Fresh out of Brooklyn comes self-proclaimed dreamrockers Candidate. (I bet you’re wondering what dreamrock is.) The band themselves describe it as “a combination of post-punk and shoegaze with late ‘80’s/early ‘90’s American indie and grunge and Britpop . . . ” Basically they couldn’t fit their new sound into one particular sub-genre so they came up with one themselves. It’s a bold move, but they pull it off effortlessly. Because after listening to their latest single, “April Again”, I can’t come up with a better genre to describe them.

This is dreamrock, plain and simple. Fresh, fuzzy, lush, vibrant, psychedelic dreamrock. We might be dealing with the next chillwave here folks, so strap yourselves in: summer 2012 is officially here - NewDust

Candidate say they do 'dreamrock'. It's a style they purport to have made-up; they even go so far as to compare it to an 'unicorn + dragon hybrid'.

I can dig that. I'll one-up them and say they're working a sound so different that it has no rival. They're on their own: Their riffs and synth have origins in shoegaze and the heavy ambient audio of Fonda 500 or Kent, and have dissonated to such a point that they've drifted off to a distant dreamscape.

The way Candidate weave together their synth and harmonies is super-rad. It's something I imagine the Beatles would have done if Delia Derbyshire had been their producer.

Candidates' 'Spring Singles' EP is free to download and more than worth the listen.
- Risk And Consequence

Candidate released their debut album, A New Life, in June and it’s a quality listen all the way through. In fact, it’s one of the few rock albums I’ve been able to listen to in its entirety in one sitting this year. Don’t take that as comment on the dearth of quality “rock & roll” but as the strength of these debutantes. They aren’t playing to a buzz genre, but instead, they are interested in making a album that is creative and likeable on repeated listens. Count me as an fan.

Highlights for me included A New Life, I’d Come Running, and Shortly After Dawn (especially the last half). You should check out the whole album through the Bandcamp player. - 1146 Miles

Meet Candidate. The Kentucky band’s debut shows a variety of influences of British acts from the last forty years. It’s a heartfelt debut, played with passion. - Is This Music?

...there’s much to recommend them. The songs like ‘I’d Come Running’ and ‘Need It Most are pleasantly anthemic. Best of all is ‘Nothing Ever Made Me Cry’ which is perhaps the darkest sounding song on the album. - 17 Seconds

Their sound reeks of mid to late ’80s British indie but is not pretending to be anything else. They have embraced those bands who inspired them for which there are obvious comparisons, namely The Cure, The Stone Roses and The Smiths. The later seems to permeate every ounce of what they do and you can almost hear a young Morrissey shining through Sparkman’s vocals.

This straight edge indie approach appears to suit them very well. The songs are catchy, poetic, passionate and filled with hooks and melodies, it’s hard to dislike. - BarryGruff

I don’t hear much Coldplay or U2 there, obviously (otherwise the email would have been flushed without a backward glance); to me, they remind me more of James musically with a vocal almost fighting back over the top which could almost be a bit Blue Aeroplanes-y or Cactus World News-y. - No Rock And Roll Fun

Indie pop…that was good enuf for a feature on one of the ‘big name’ ‘established’ blogs. If I like them, too, does that make a joiner? Or just a copy cat? Well, it’s okay if you call me a joiner. I think these dudes are pretty cool - Berkeley Place

…Their music is reminiscent of the type 80s college radio alternative pop played by the Feelies and Pylon. The band describes their sound as “anthemic, hook-laden rock ‘n’ roll with generous helpings of melody,” and that’s pretty accurate - Songs Of The Day

Our friends at You Ain’t No Picasso introduced us to this debut album by Lexington, Kentucky’s very own, Candidate….It’s like the lead singers from U2 and James ran into The Replacements (well, maybe not every song, but a bunch)….Great album by a great band - Rock Cousteau

Candidate fill a great gap in our musical ecosystem with their pop circa 80s college radio. The whole album is a delight and I can’t wait to catch ‘em live when I’m back in town! - YouAintNoPicasso

The Bluegrass state is known for it's thoroughbred horses, not rock 'n' roll. Candidate, however, exudes the purest of raw emotion delivered with class and perfection. This intense burst of polished rock 'n' roll exemplifies the term thoroughbred. A hint of The National with an obvious influence by Joy Division, and the beauty of shoegazers will have you hooked immediately. Candidate breaks down the barrier of guilty pleasure with their incomprable stage presence. The energy this band exhibits will completely defy and surpass any expectations. - Bree Blisters, Queen City Awesome Radio

"You Still Love Me" is straight up rock & roll. It will not try to confuse you by pretending to be anything else, which is essential on a Monday morning (the less thinking the better, especially before I've had a lot of caffeine). I can't guarantee that you won't think you've teleported to 1987, however, because that's the last time this specific kind of tune was melting faces on a regular basis. Not that that's a bad thing; sometimes you just need to put your hair up in a side pony, peg your jeans, and rock out. - WhatsTheRuckus.com

...Their songs are filled with melodic hooks, and their most recent single, "I'd Come Running," is a soft, sweet, addictively listenable song... It's off their upcoming album A New Life, which I can't wait to hear. - PaisleySound.com

Okay. Here's the deal. We have to quit making fun of Lexington because Candidate were the shit. - Chuck Cleaver (Wussy, Ass Ponys)

Candidate breaks down the barrier of guilty pleasure with their incomprable stage presence. The energy this band exhibits will completely defy and surpass any expectations. - Bree, Queen City Awesome Radio

......They certainly exude a uniqueness coupled with the pop accessibility that is always nice to come home to. - www.lexweekly.com

...hooky and graceful...the insanely catchy

- Lexington Herald / LexGo.com

...an increasingly popular rock ’n’ roll act based primarily in Lexington. As the group continues to catch fire, it is preparing to show its fresh ideas and classic sensibilities.

- Louisville Eccentric Observer

Indie Rock beginnings are always hard to talk about,
because you never know what might happen....But I think this band has a good thing going for them.
.... the commercial world might just jump all
over it. I like them, and I'd like to see them go far.
- SomeLoveMusic