Mercury Landing
New York City, New York, United States
Music
Press
Mercury Landing is a rising act in New York’s crowded music beat, and the 5-piece band carves its unique image on a competitive stage by crafting a sound that speaks to a professional attitude and technical and stylistic mastery. Since forming in 2005 the band has exploded on the metropolitan scene, delivering a genre-conquering mesh of styles stemming from a whole spectrum of musical influences.
While there's no doubt that this is a talented group of dedicated professionals, Mercury Landing is at heart a group of friends doing what they love, and as a result you may catch them covering a funky Talking Heads tune onstage or just letting loose and busting out the theme to Tetris midset. Whatever the formula is, it's working for these guys, and consequently they'll likely be taking off from planet N.Y. in the near future, and touching down at a venue near you.
Mercury Landing will be playing The Mercury Lounge on Saturday, April 18th in honor of Earth Day and Green Apple Fest. If you can’t see them, or can’t wait to see them then, check out some of the band’s live cuts on their video page. - Relix.com
Mercury Landing played to a crowd of dancing, adoring, and probably drunk fans at Sullivan Hall this month. Comprised of 5 members, plus a female guest singer who joined them for 2 songs, New York's Mercury Landing performs their own blend of music inspired by funk and classic rock. Like a mature jam-band vibe minus the Birkenstocks or dreadlocks, their distinctive poppy flavor is sprinkled with jazz, ska, and reggae to create danceable rock n' roll that puts you in a spectacular mood. The rather long songs are clear and vivid, dynamic and catchy, with various progressions and instrumental soloing, such as Corey J. Feldman's guitar trickery.
As evidenced by the completely jovial crowd, Mercury Landing's musical style feels free and unrestrained, as the songs take off like little birds. Classically trained, these young yet highly experienced musicians approach their collective sound from a technically proficient standpoint, bringing a wide range of talent to the table, or rather, stage. In particular, keyboardist and singer Richie Brownstein was often the central focus of the show, as he darted back and forth between the mic and the keys. He impressively demanded his keyboard with exceptionally fast and agile playing. Between their positive energy and enthusiastic stage presence, Mercury Landing lit up the room and most likely gained a few new fans.
For more, check them out at: http://www.mercurylanding.com/
-Amy Dupcak - Beyondracemagazine.com
Discography
"Eyes Against the Sky" - Mercury Landing 2008 (full length album)
"Mercury Landing EP" - Mercury Landing 2005
"Dr. UHall EP" - Dr. UHall 2004 (Feldman/Haller)
"Yulia EP" - Yulia 2003 (Brownstein)
Photos
Bio
Born in 2005 from NYU and Craigslist, Mercury Landing is a rock band infused with undertones and elements of funk, reggae, pop, progressive, dance, and world music. The band's genre-conquering style is accentuated by danceable songwriting, catchy lyrics, progressive composition, and enveloping improvisation. Mercury Landing's critically acclaimed debut album, Eyes Against the Sky, was independently recorded in only six days.
Mercury Landing grew a grassroots following in New York City beginning when the duo of Feldman and Haller performed at CBGB's Gallery and Lounge. More than 5 years later, Mercury Landing has played at some of New York's best venues like the Paramount Theater at the Hard Rock Cafe, Bowery Ballroom, Highline Ballroom, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Webster Hall, and more.
Mercury Landing has reached towns like Chicago, Memphis, Asheville, Boston and Philadelphia, spreading their music nationally and internationally. They have also done their part to raise awareness of cancer by participating at ACS Relay for Life benefits at colleges across the northeast.
So sing a song with us
Or dance along with us
Or maybe do both
You can't do wrong with us
*****
Recent News for Mercury Landing -
July 2009 - Relix Magazine #1 Band on the Verge
August 2008 Relix Magazine Jamoff Winner with "Thoughts Aside"
August 2008 #1 Funk/Groove & Soul Rock song with "What You Heard"
June 2008 Emergenza National Finalists (3rd place, with Dan Haller voted as best bassist for 2008)
May 2008 2nd place - Ourstage.com 10,000 Lakes Cosmic Break Competition with "Thoughts Aside"
*****
Press Quotes:
"Mercury Landing is a rising act in New York's crowded music beat, and the 5-piece band carves its unique image on a competitive stage by crafting a sound that speaks to a professional attitude and technical and stylistic mastery" -Relix.com
"As evidenced by the completely jovial crowd, Mercury Landing's musical style feels free and unrestrained, as the songs take off like little birds. Classically trained, these young yet highly experienced musicians approach their collective sound from a technically proficient standpoint, bringing a wide range of talent to the table, or rather, stage." Amy Dupcak - Beyondrace.com
Personal Quotes and Testimony:
"Dear Nate - Thank you for your music. I really enjoyed listening to the "Eyes Against the Sky" CD. Your drumming is solid and relaxed, you seem to be embracing those odd time signatures in a very smooth way. I particularly liked "mediawashed". I wish you all the best with your music. Good luck!
All the best,
Trey Anastasio"
"New York's Mercury Landing have touched upon a unique fusion of space-rock, synthesizer fueled electronica and old school jam that is both progressive and comfortably familiar. The group's first full length album, Eyes Against the Sky, is an enjoyable mash of fast paced instrumental passages and more heartfelt, introspective vocal moments."
--Mike Greenhaus, Relix Magazine
"Eyes Against the Sky is the perfect soundtrack to a key party - swinging music for swingers with lots of funky guitar and keyboard action."--Abby Aronofsky, Penthouse Magazine
"Eyes Against the Sky is an eclectic mix of funk and rock music. It is a great listen from front to back, which is a rarity in today's music world."
--John Pasquale, Booking and Event Planning for Hard Rock Cafe
"If Mercury Landing isn't already on your iPod or in your CD player then you are going to be left behind. With funky beats and choreographed instrumentation, they are what the Dave Mathews Band was before they hit the commercial market. If you are in college and looking for something to call your own, I suggest Mercury Landing."
--Liberty Devitto, drummer 30 years for Billy Joel
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