New Transit
Boise, Idaho, United States | SELF
Music
Press
New Transit plays for Ruby Tuesday. Sean Hatton (guitar, bass and vocals), A. Nigel Gates (bass, guitar and vocals), and Louis McFarland (drums) play alt country in the mood of blue. The three-piece also features a revolving door of guest musicians: Matt Hopper, Thomas Paul, Ben Burdick (guitars) and Dave Manion (pedal steel). In tight bluegrass sound, they harmonize thick like a barbershop quartet in slight twanged downbeat.
Assuredly American heritage music, this blue-jeaned rock emanates a bloodier sound with soft grit. Each low, steady song heralds brevity: The Kingston Trio meets Guided by Voices. Crafting songs crisp and short leaves their audience wanting more. Considering the dark and somber places their lyrics, it is a smart move for New Transit.
“Days gone by since you left and I die. Patiently I’m here on my knees…And the sun comes up. Hallelujah. And the rain don’t fall. Hallelujah If you loved me more, oh girl.” Deeply personal songs reckon with lonesome twilight-turned-midnight-turned-late night gloom: “I’ve got the light on in the kitchen keeping me company. Hey girl, you know I’m gonna miss you tonight.”
Hatton and Gates’s lyrics simple and sincere point to Sun Kil Moon or T.W. Walsh sped up at a Richard Thompson tempo. Each small piece is just enough and no more. This mellow music can keep a driver company on a long road trip through rough mountains, silent cornfields and overwhelming new cities.
New Transit holds together clearly unified and tight-knit. In the shadow of these romance-driven tunes written from a place of loss, the band looks out for each other like a brotherhood. Just by playing, they hold each other up, just as music itself creates a threshold for coping with grief. It is just enough to build a perfect mirror for an audience: “You can frown. The cameras won’t believe your every smile.”
Everyone can relate to these honest songs wading in heartbreak. Also, anyone can feel cleansed just by listening—and then refreshed enough to move into tomorrow, whether that brings rain or shine. These guys rub a quieter edge on alt country—or “Alt Idaho” as drummer Louis McFarland calls it. They will draw you in and keep you there.
Don’t miss Ruby Tuesdays at Bouquet or New Transit’s album, coming soon to a Record Exchange near you.
Continue reading on Examiner.com: New Transit: Tuesday nights at Bouquet - Boise Performing Arts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/performing-arts-in-boise/new-transit-tuesday-nights-at-bouquet#ixzz1EG4BTxNr
- Heidi Kraay
Discography
Debut album, One, is now available! Purchase online through Songfare Management or at http://www.newtransitmusic.com. Listen to streaming preview of tracks, order digital or CD copy, etc.
Photos
Bio
New Transit is a Boise-based, four-piece alt country rock band. Band frontman Sean Hatton describes their style as, "Simply put? Northwest rock. That's the best description I can give and if you listen, you'll hear it." The band is comprised of Sean Hatton on vocals, bass and guitar, A. Nigel Gates also on vocals, bass and guitar, Louis McFarland on drums and Dave Manion on pedal steel and guitar. With lyrics inspired by old country songfare and heartache, their presence commands the attention of their audiences. Heidi Kraay, Boise Arts Examiner says of New Transit, "Assuredly American heritage music, this blue-jeaned rock emanates a bloodier sound with soft grit. Each low, steady song heralds brevity: The Kingston Trio meets Guided by Voices. Crafting songs crisp and short leaves their audience wanting more." New Transit's debut album, One, hits stores April 12th.
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