Music
Press
Article on two local bands The Villains of Verona and Elipse
...Though they were the headliners for tonight's show, they still feel at odds with the rest of the music scene in their hometown. Guitarist Keith Newsham explains, "I feel kind of like an island. That's actually how the band Oasis got their name- they were like an oasis from the other bands of their time. That's how we are."
Elipse ventures away from the verse-chorus-verse-chorus system of songwriting most common in their genre. In their own words, they "try to capture the structure of a hurricane,"most literally in their song "Eye of the Storm."
The eye of a hurricane seems to be the best metaphor for these two bands - one is at a monumental point in their career, the other is working hard to reach that point, but for these groups, playing music is still the important part. It isn't getting caught in the whirlwind of success, and it isn't getting dizzy with the knowledge they are high school students who just played an amazing rock show - it is doing what they love: pleasing the fans. Who are these fans?
Hersh Chabra, an Elipse fan summed this up by describing the typical local show attendee-"People with straight dyed hair, the only difference is the hair color, whether they have glasses or not, and the stripes in their hooded sweatshirts."
These are the people likely to attend shows to discover bands like The Villains of Verona and Elipse. Bands that go against the grain. Bands that have bright futures. Bands about whom these kids can say"I knew them when..." Still, these fans shouldn't hold their breath. Bands like these do not come around often, so when they do materialize, make the most of them.
- Elmhurst College Newspaper The Leader- Eric Lutz- Staff Writer
“With the release of their new EP Sleepless comes a promise of catchy hooks that deny any competing thoughts in your mind.”
-Emily Hagenaars, The York-Hi
- The York-Hi
“The people around me listening to them all seemed in a daze. It was strange, it’s as if you become part of their music. They didn’t sound like everyone else.”
-Vanessa Villareal, Live Review for Feedback Magazine
- Feedback Magazine
Discography
Sleepless EP- Re-Release to be Announced Shortly
"Proud Tears" and "Melody" are receiving radio airplay on Elmhurst College Radio, Fearless Radio, and Radio DePaul
Photos
Bio
Elipse is an Alternative Pop Rock band hailing from Chicago. They blend elements of Brit-Pop, Indie, and Hard-Rock. Their debut EP Sleepless recalls Coldplay, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and more. To many, they are an anomaly. They cannot be pinned into any one category. One minute they�re piano Pop, the next they�re stratospheric stadium rock circa Oasis and Muse. They�ll split the time between Brian Eno swirl and punchy indie-rock via Arctic Monkeys. But one thing remains constant. Elipse will have you wondering what's next.
What's the state of pop music when we can't see past a Beatles melody?" asks singer Keith Newsham on As It Stands (track 3). The lyric symbolizes all that the band works towards; catchy pop music that keeps you guessing. Where else can you find a band that weaves together Latin-flavored vocal lines, hip-hop beats, and overdriven guitars all in the same song? (Melody Track 2) Bassist Andrew Ruth sums up the bands' motto nicely, "Our music will always be about catchy hooks that get stuck in your head. But we want move beyond the idea that a band just carves out its little niche and sticks to it. We're looking to sample a bit of everything and pull from different genres because for us, it's just about making every song distinct and unique".
Press Quotes:
"They seem to not only be making music that they feel, but pushing themselves to deliver a fully escapable sound for listeners.. something that people can completely get lost in and enjoy."- Kyle Barrett ErrorFM Radio, New York
"Bands like these do not come around often, so when they do materialize, make the most of them." -Eric Lutz, Elmhurst College Leader
"If you can walk away without getting one of their infectious pop melodies stuck in your head, you're deaf."-James Ryan, Freelance Writer
Past Shows:
The Abbey Pub 2/28/09- Headliner
Subterranean Chicago IL 7/6/08 and 9/6/08
Swing State Lake Villa IL- 11/21/08
Reggie's Rock Club Chicago IL- 10/19/08
The Frequency Madison WI- 8/30/08
"Proud Tears" and "Melody currently receiving radio airplay on Elmhurst College Radio, Fearless Radio, and Radio DePaul
Links
