Music
Press
March 21, 2007
Parkers Break, with the release of their EP "Autumn," have officially declared their entrance into the Austin music scene. Produced by CJ Eiriksson, whos resume includes the likes of Jack's Mannequin and Incubus, "Autumn" is a bold first step for Parkers Break
Parkers Break, self described as 90s rock a decade later, fuse piano and guitar together which separates them from a Ben Folds Fives or an Andrew McMahon and Something Corporate - clear influences but clearly a different sound.
Charlie Lang, piano and lead vocalist, presents a solid pop sound comparable to Ben Folds, and his practiced song-writing brings about a feeling of some old Eagles tunes. On the keys since childhood, Lang came to Austin primarily for school but quickly formed a group with musicians who had been rocking Austin well before he arrived from Indiana.
The EP's highlight track is "Goodbye L.A.," a song Lang said was written in his early high school days. Its slow and almost misleading into quickly rises into a power pop groove that rests comfortably beneath its uplifting lyrics. The song uses Los Angeles as a metaphorical place where Lang is "out on the prowl for (his) time to shine." Lang's keen awareness of climbing into a melody and well-placed, simple piano riffs imprints a grin upon whomever is listening.
"Its a song of possibilities, a song of dreams," says Lang. "Everyone wants to hear about that."
Live, Parkers Break delivers a show that mirrors their EP - very solid, very professional. Besides the obvious fact that they are having fun on stage, the group delivers well orchestrated three-part harmonies and transitions seamlessly from one tune to the next.
See Parkers Break at Forty Acres Fest on March 24 as they kick things off on the main stage at noon.
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By Jeff Leech - The Daily Texan
March 21, 2007
Parkers Break, with the release of their EP "Autumn," have officially declared their entrance into the Austin music scene. Produced by CJ Eiriksson, whos resume includes the likes of Jack's Mannequin and Incubus, "Autumn" is a bold first step for Parkers Break
Parkers Break, self described as 90s rock a decade later, fuse piano and guitar together which separates them from a Ben Folds Fives or an Andrew McMahon and Something Corporate - clear influences but clearly a different sound.
Charlie Lang, piano and lead vocalist, presents a solid pop sound comparable to Ben Folds, and his practiced song-writing brings about a feeling of some old Eagles tunes. On the keys since childhood, Lang came to Austin primarily for school but quickly formed a group with musicians who had been rocking Austin well before he arrived from Indiana.
The EP's highlight track is "Goodbye L.A.," a song Lang said was written in his early high school days. Its slow and almost misleading into quickly rises into a power pop groove that rests comfortably beneath its uplifting lyrics. The song uses Los Angeles as a metaphorical place where Lang is "out on the prowl for (his) time to shine." Lang's keen awareness of climbing into a melody and well-placed, simple piano riffs imprints a grin upon whomever is listening.
"Its a song of possibilities, a song of dreams," says Lang. "Everyone wants to hear about that."
Live, Parkers Break delivers a show that mirrors their EP - very solid, very professional. Besides the obvious fact that they are having fun on stage, the group delivers well orchestrated three-part harmonies and transitions seamlessly from one tune to the next.
See Parkers Break at Forty Acres Fest on March 24 as they kick things off on the main stage at noon.
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By Jeff Leech - The Daily Texan
Discography
"Standing Away From You" - Charlie Lang Solo Release 2004
"Autumn" - Parkers Break released March of 2007
Photos
Bio
The sound of Parkers Break rings true to founding member Charlie Lang, who’s piano driven rock music earned him local success upon his arrival to Austin in 2005. Notable for his songwriting and performance, Lang takes most pride in his personal connection with his material.
“I’ve always been committed to being honest in my music,” says Lang. “I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not.”
Raised in small town Indiana, Lang moved to Austin, Texas for the opportunity to develop his craft in the live music capital of the world. Bypassing industry formula, Lang assembled a band of seasoned local artists Errol Siegel, Jason Bryl, and Bryan Breaux to form his musical vehicle; Parkers Break.
Armed with Lang's piano crafted songs, the foursome immediately hit the Austin circuit drawing crowds at noteworthy venues and sharing the stage with Austin’s biggest names.
“There’s a special quality to allowing material develop live. But at a certain point, I felt that the songs had reached a level where I was ready to share them.”
And that’s just what he did. Joined by Producer CJ Eiriksson (Jack’s Mannequin, Live, Something Corporate), Lang and the band hit the studio to record Autumn, an EP released in early 2007. Autumn explores a piano-based, grassroots rock sound along the likes of the Counting Crows, Ben Folds Five, and legend Bruce Hornsby.
The appeal to the music can be attributed to its catchy melodies and unforgettable harmonies, but Lang feels otherwise.
“I think it’s much more than that. Music fans need someone they can relate to. Sincere music earns respect, and that’s the part of my music I’m most proud of.”
Through his growing success, Parkers Break’s frontman looks forward to the future, but remains committed to his roots.
Lang’s promise - “the music will always come first.”
www.parkersbreak.com
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