Music
Press
"Take a moment to recollect the last time any pop album was praised for its depth and emotion. (The View from the Valley) breaks the pop bubblegum barriers (with) more of a true to life sound than pop listeners are used to. Kenley Young is not only the strength behind the vocals, but the poetic genius that delivers compelling, passionate lyrics. There is no argument that the songs are beautifully written, but it is how nicely they filter through each instrument that flings you vibrantly into the music."
- Southeast Performer magazine
"(These band members are) quickly establishing themselves as smart musicians who know how to cultivate songs. Singer and rhythm guitarist Kenley Young is a poet, not a simple lyricist. His carefully chosen words tug at the listener's ear. Ronnie Cleland's drumming gives urgency to the [band's] message. With clean lead guitar by Justus Jagger and innovative bass lines by James Touzel that go beyond basic rhythm, (they) prove their wisdom as inventive song-builders destined for a higher plane than the local club stage."
- The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News
With his former bands Fling and How to Vanish, Kenley Young was pushing toward perfection as a songwriter of full-throttle rock tunes with the introspective nature of The Replacements. Recent tracks like "Ferrari" could only be described as such, but one has to wonder how these songs will sound with only Young and a guitar. Knowing the consummate performer that Young is, one would have to guess that they will sound just as great, if not better. If Springsteen can play "Thunder Road" with just a piano, I have no doubt that Young can manage to rock out on his acoustic this Saturday. - Free Times
When Young isn't leading How to Vanish, this erstwhile frontman for Fling plays most Friday nights at Yo Burrito. Admittedly, Young has been writing rougher stuff since his days with Fling, but these intimate settings complement the reluctant balladeer within. - Free Times
Wily showgoers should recognize some of the faces in How to Vanish as well, as they draw members of Fling and The Sinators. How to Vanish plays grand, sweeping, emotive indie rock with a twinge of the dark side. - Free Times
How to Vanish's brand of power-pop is reminiscent of "Bends"-era Radiohead--attractively tuneful and muscular, and while guitarist/vocalist Kenley Young's vocals may not have the ultra-human range that Thom Yorke possesses, his lyrics are a bit less obtuse and much more accessible. - Free Times
The real interest may be the debut of How to Vanish. Recently formed, How to Vanish is a Columbia supergroup, of sorts, featuring former Fling frontman Kenley Young, ex-Fling and Sinators bassist James Touzel, and ex-Megameants singer/guitarist Matt Warthen. Throw in local jazz drummer Adam Brown, and this quartet--comprised of Columbia rockers who arguably bowed out at the height of local popularity--could take Columbia by surprise, or even by storm. With their powers combined, they could be captains of Columbia's slipping rock scene. - Free Times
Melt-your-soul rock. Want to know how to get lost in a song? Listen to these guys. - The State newspaper
With so many sub-standard artists these days being described as having "powerful riffs and emotive vocals," it can be hard to remember that those aren't code words for "suck." Case in point: How to Vanish. Singer/songwriter Kenley Young fleshes out his tuneful power-pop songs with a strong, expressive voice that is capable of both soothing crooning and unbridled belting. Sonic benchmarks include Jimmy Eat World (but slightly more erudite) and Thrice (but considerably less aggressive). - Free Times
This promises to be different from most How to Vanish shows. ... Think of it as How to Vanish unplugged. (Kenley) Young ... will dip into some of his solo singer/songwriter material, which might be his best work. - The State
Discography
Two EPs (three songs each):
"Pull Even"
"Try Not to Stare"
Photos
Bio
How to Vanish was founded in 2004 in Columbia, S.C., where we've been a part of the music scene for a few years now. Check us out at www.howtovanish.net
We just finished up a killer three-song demo, some of which you can hear by clicking on the "Audio" button at the top of this press kit.
We're excited about these songs. They're edgy, catchy, urgent, provocative. And most importantly, they're well-written and well-recorded. We think you'll agree.
Here's what the Free Times (Columbia's weekly entertainment paper) has to say about us:
"The real interest may be the debut of How to Vanish. Recently formed, How to Vanish is a Columbia supergroup, of sorts. … This quartet—comprised of Columbia rockers who arguably bowed out at the height of local popularity—could take Columbia by surprise, or even by storm. With their powers combined, they could be captains of Columbia's slipping rock scene."
How to Vanish is a relatively new project, but the band has been together, in one form or another, since singer/songwriter Kenley Young's sophomore year of high school in Georgetown, S.C.
When the band came to college in Columbia, we were known as Fling. Ask around town, and you'll find vestiges of that fan base, a few incriminating photos, and maybe some copies of our first EP, "The View From the Valley." Southeast Performer magazine had nice things to say:
"Take a moment to recollect the last time a pop album was praised for its depth and emotion. Kenley Young is not only the strength behind the vocals, but the poetic genius that delivers compelling, passionate lyrics."
In 2002, Fling released a second EP, which you can listen to at the How to Vanish Web site.
After Fling parted ways, Kenley did a lot of solo work and a lot of writing, from which How to Vanish was born two years ago.
We're happy to have another really cool demo to promote, and we'd like to hear from you. You can contact us at howtovanish@gmail.com
We hope to hear from you soon.
Links
