Divine Sign
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Divine Sign

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"DIVINE SIGN - Definitely Overdue!"

DIVINE SIGN - Definitely Overdue! (myspace.com/divinesignnj)
Warm, layered melodies make this band sound less arty, and more like a soulful rock band. That's a good thing because the bright guitar melodies and the swaggering soul of lead singers Kerry McNulty and Lindsey Miller (who also contributes guitar and piano) are pure Velvet Underground at their pop-ish best. Sometimes it's hard to tell when Divine Sign ends and VU begins, but it's a great vibe that the band evokes from their peers. Guitars (Michael Askin) range from stripped down to shimmering swagger, with a rhythm section (James Stahon- bass, and Jake Fiedler- drums) that lock in a steady cadence throughout Definitely Overdue!. This album is part slow dance, part hot blues. The production could be brighter, and more definitive, perhaps, but that's just a quibble. Definitely Overdue should pay most of the band's electric bills for now, but eventually they'll quit their day jobs and do this full time! You'll want to see them live once you've listened to their album!

- Phil Rainone
- Jersey Beat Magazine


"Divine Sign-Definitely Overdue"

Divine Sign-Definitely Overdue


2007 Asbury Music Award winner Divine Sign is a true mainstay of the New Jersey music world. Always entertaining, Kerry McNulty (vocals), Lindsey Miller (guitar, harmony vocals) and Michael Askin (lead guitar, Vocals) mix a unique blend of country, folk, and rock styled writing not associated with the typical New Jersey sound, and that’s good.


While the band has had a few small bumps in the road (who hasn’t) postponing their recording projects and replacing band members worked out great for them as they came back and played commitments acoustically, an option which has been well received by their fans. Also, a key turning point for the band was the recruitment of Sarah Tomek (Days Awake, Paperback Radio) and Jay Walker (Dragster, Joe Harvard). These two bring a solid backbone to Divine Signs countrified roots, allowing the three front lined performers to do their thing unfettered.


Influences from artists like The Band, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Tanya Tucker add flavor to their smart arrangements. Utilizing layered harmonies, bluesy-based guitars and good time likeability; Divine Sign has found the working formula for their inevitable success. Their newest CD is entitled “Definitely Overdue” and the disc is a great representation of what will be showcased this Saturday as Divine Sign celebrates their first full-length release at the Saint.


The new CD sounds like it comes straight off music row. Acoustic and electric guitars churn out pure Smokey Mountain tone mixed with Memphis shuffled drums and bass and featuring the vocal team of McNulty and Miller, a duo that belts it straight over that Shenandoah skyline. With plans for extensive touring (including a Nashville stint), savvy publicity and a growing fan base, Divine Sign is a band that cuts a path thru their own deep musical forest.


So what does this record mean to Divine Sign?

Lindsey: looking back on it, just the way things progressed, we went in thinking that we were going in to do an ep, but things went so well that we just kept on going. We really used the last year to work our direction and solidify our line up and also; playing a lot really helped us shape this cd in our own way. It’s really meant inspirational growth, which is priceless. Also, we worked hard to raise money for this project and that moved us to pay attention to details.


Was this a group effort or is there a certain writer that brings songs in to the group?

Lindsey: We each bring songs into the band and we arrange them as a band, and then it becomes a Divine Sign song. There’s no real hierarchy as far as a leader. We’re one of the few bands that seem to work songwriting out within our democracy. Of course that has nothing to do about any other part of the band (laughs)


Where did the name Divine Sign come from?

Lindsey: About four years ago Kerry and I were playing as a duo and we knew Scott from the Saint and one night he was like “Heeyy! When are you gonna play here”? So he basically gave us this gig a month later and we really didn’t have a name and we couldn’t just say “Hey, we’re Kerry and Lindsey, so….


Kerry: I voted for Kerry and Lindsey…


Lindsey: yeah, (laughs) were both into astrology at the time and I had this Capricorn shirt, and it had a tag on it that said, “Divine Sign” and we thought, “Wow that’s a cool name. Although later on Kerry didn’t think it was cool, but it still stuck. Its funny because when Michael first came to check out the band he heard the name Divine Sign and thought we were a Christian rock band and he couldn’t wait to join, even though he and I are Jewish. (Laughs)


What would you change about New Jersey’s generic reputation when it comes to music?

Kerry: it might be fantasy at this point, but I would love to see more original talent at more of the venues. I feel that people are going to come to the shore anyhow so why not educate them? There’s more to New Jersey than Bruce and Bon Jovi so…yeah I think less predictable cover band action would be a fantastic start.


Lindsey: We are an Asbury band and when started out there was a ton of venues for us to play here in our community and now there’s like, two left. That’s a problem to me that venues that relied on us for so long seem to be looking towards cover sources to generate business in the area and I think they should be supporting the bands that make up the heart and soul of this state.


Kerry: But also, I think there comes a time when you have to make up your own venues. Like we played a hair salon once and it became a venue at that point in time. And that’s what I would say to people and artists in general, that you have to take a step up and create your venue options.


What touring plans does the band have with Nashville?

Kerry: Well were going to go have some fun in Nashville, that’s for sure (laughs) but were also going on a fact finding trip to meet with some industr - The Aquarian


"Divine Sign - "definitely overdue""

Divine Sign - "definitely overdue"

It seems like Divine Sign has been around the Jersey Shore music scene for years, but , "definitely overdue", is their first official release (aptly titled, I might add). The album contains 8 songs that could be deemed a hybrid of roots rock, folk rock, and a hint of modern country. The lead vocals of Kerry McNulty sound a little like a countrified version of Jewel crossed with Stevie Nicks. Blended with the harmonies of Lindsey Miller and Michael Askin, the vocals at time give me chills. The entire disc is strong but the two stand out tracks, to me at least, are as follows:

"Lose me" - A melancholy gin soaked pop-country ballad, that seems like it would be perfect for a movie montage when you see a woman crying as she drives off after leaving her lover. Admit it, you know what I speak of, because that scene has become a movie cliché, but this song is no cliché.

"Dear lover" - The perfect roots rock/pop-country song. Upbeat and playful (musically at least), and in my opinion a perfect single. Lyrically it appears to be about trying to win back a lover she had left behind (no lyrical sheet was in the CD case).

This is a fine debut from Divine Sign that showcases what has made their live show popular. Let's just hope it doesn't take several more years for their follow-up CD.

Lazlo

http://www.myspace.com/divinesignnj - Blowup Radio


Discography

Definitely Overdue

Photos

Bio

Divine Sign has come from humble beginnings. In 2005, Lindsey Miller (guitar, vocals) and Kerry McNulty (vocals) began playing acoustic sets anywhere they could get a show and for anyone who would listen. Three years later, with a 2007 Asbury Music Award under their belt, Divine Sign is a mainstay of the thriving New Jersey original music scene. Along the way they added Michael Askin (lead guitar, vocals), whose country licks added to an already strong sound. Bass and drum duties have been handled by a number of talented area musicians including Jake Fiedler (Ex-Models), James Stahon (Mable), Jay Walker (The Joe Harvard Band, Dragster) and Sarah Tomek (Day’s Awake, Paperback Radio).

Divine Sign’s music is a unique blend of country, folk, and blues not associated with the typical Jersey sound. The undeniable influences of such artists as the Band, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell are evident in the solid arrangements, layered harmonies and professional musicianship displayed within this group. The Songs are at the same time original and familiar.

The group recently released a full-length CD, the aptly titled "Definitely Overdue" and will be out supporting the disc through out 2008, working as hard as ever. The disc has received positive reviews and is also receiving local airplay, suggesting that bigger and better things are on the way for Divine Sign.