Gladstone
Gig Seeker Pro

Gladstone

| SELF

| SELF
Band Rock Alternative

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"CD Review: "Paper Sky" from Gladstone"

The Madison, Wisconsin rock band Gladstone has gone through many changes. And after all the years that the members have known each other, they final decided to get together and form a band. Gladstone is made up of five musicians: Jay Kindschi on vocals and guitars, Dan Kalagian on lead guitar and vocals, Scott Madsen on guitars, keyboards, and vocals, Chris Bengry on bass, and Tom Jacobson on drums. The makeup of the band is similar to VH with two exceptions- this band has five members while VH had four, and Gladstone has a frontman when VH had a lead singer/rhythm guitarist.

The group has been together for only a little, but the time they spent together was enough for the band to write enough music to create a full-length album. The band celebrated the release of that album, “Paper Sky,” at the end of 2008.

When looking at the band’s MySpace account, the description says, “Toad The Wet Sprocket meets John Mayer meets Vertical Horizon”. Listening to the band’s music, the Vertical Horizon influence is very obvious as Gladstone’s style is heavily based upon Vertical Horizon’s sound. However, the Toad The Wet Sprocket and John Mayer influences are not as obvious; that is, until you listen to the entire “Paper Sky” release from the band.

The majority of the “Paper Sky” release from Gladstone reminds me of a new album from Vertical Horizon: the musicianship of the members, the style in the writing of the tunes, as well as the fact that the lyrics have a Matt Scannell feel to them. In fact, on the songs of “Paper Sky” and “Fireflies,” you can almost imagine Matt singing the words to the songs. The one song on the album that really doesn’t remind me of VH is the song “Imaginary Games,” which has a style that could remind you of Toad The Wet Sprocket.

It took me several times of listening to the album before I finally could understand why they list John Mayer in their influences. While the music does not remind me of Mayer all that much, Jay Kindschi’s vocal quality is closer to Mayer than it is to Scannell.

There are two ways of looking at “Paper Sky” from Gladstone: You can either hear a band that has a very commercial sound having released an album that could easily end up receiving a lot of plays on your local Hot A/C radio station, or you can look at it this way: The band has a sound that is very reminiscent of Vertical Horizon. And since that band has not released a new album since the original version of “GO” in 2003, this is a great way to get your fill of that type of rock music.

If you are someone who liked the sound of Vertical Horizon and have wanted a new release from them, here is the next best thing. While Gladstone is not a Vertical Horizon clone, their sound is close enough to make fans of VH happy.

To find Gladstone and their music, you can go to www.gladstonerocks.com. You can also go to the band’s MySpace account at www.myspace.com/gladstonemusic. You can find the band’s release of “Paper Sky” by going to http://cdbaby.com/cd/gladstonesongs.

Matheson

http://rockandrollreport.com/cd-review-paper-sky-from-gladstone/ - The Rock and Roll Report


"Roy Elkins: Quote on Gladstone's album "Paper Sky""

"A very unique band, with great melodies and memorable lyrics. I will have this in my playlist for years to come."
- President, Broadjam.com


"MAMAs Showcase, Memorial Union July 25th 2009"

Gladstone got things rolling with their brand of pop/rock; a good start to the festivities. They go down easy and the highlight of the band is their ability to sing multiple harmonies. Gladstone won the New Artist of the Year award and the Pop Album of the Year award for Paper Sky. Their set featured these selections mingled with a few covers by U2 and Coldplay. - Localsounds Magazine


"2009 Madison Area Music Awards"

Gladstone wins 2009 Madison Area Music Awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Album!

http://themamas.org/category/mamas-2009/

- MAMAs.org


Discography

Photopsia - Thrush
Photopsia - Gravity
Gladstone - Paper Sky (Released October 2008)

Photos

Bio

Based out of Madison, WI, Gladstone is a rock band of 5 focused musicians whose paths have parted and intertwined for more than a decade. Gladstone's Alt-Contemp Rock sound has evolved from their early years, when they were named "Photopsia". The early music was firmly rooted in complex rhythms; deeply textured songs born from open experimental songwriting. Today, Gladstone gives a more melodic voice to the chorus with uplifting and radio-friendly rock. Lyrical topics filled with images of nature, struggle, endurance, celebration and home reach out to anyone in the human experience.

The band's influences include Toad the Wet Sprocket, Vertical Horizon, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, James Taylor and John Mayer. Warm, rich, acoustic and electric guitar tones mingle with sweet melodies atop concrete, powerful rhythms. Strong vocal harmonies and keys add depth and polish to the overall sound.

Gladstone's debut indie album "Paper Sky" was released in October of 2008, and has been awarded 2 Madison Area Music Awards; including Best New Artist and Pop Album of the Year. Since then, Madison has been buzzing: radio play on 105.5(WMMM) and 106.3(WWQM), excellent internet reviews, and a growing fan base.
For updates, contacts etc. visit www.myspace.com/gladstonemusic.