Sentinel
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Sentinel

San Francisco, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2001 | SELF

San Francisco, California, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2001
Band Alternative Dream Pop

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

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"Sentinel - The Innocence"

Based out of San Francisco, dream pop trio Sentinel have released their fifth, independent LP Points of Light this week. With polished and chromatic textures, and dreamy vocals, the band has also shared the featured track from the album “The Innocence”.

Opening with a distant guitar riff, clockwork percussion, and spacious vocals from lead singer Tarabud that drape the music like a warm fog, “The Innocence” exemplifies the band’s mission to discuss and further understand human nature and the human experience. Enjoy the song here: https://soundcloud.com/sentineldream/01-the-innocence - Dusty Organ Music


"LIVE 105.3FM NSSN FINALISTS"

LIVE 105’s ANNUAL NOT SO SILENT NIGHT local band contest!
We’re looking for an unsigned Bay Area band to open up Night one of this year’s NSSN 2013 holiday concert! One lucky local band will score a gig of the lifetime and get to open up for the likes of Kings of Leon, Vampire Weekend, Queens of the Stone Age, AFI, Arctic Monkeys and Capital Cities! - LIVE105 CBS LOCAL


"SF Station presents The Lineup"

SF Station presents The Lineup
A unique local band showcase where you pick four of your favorite bands to perform at Cafe du Nord on May 22nd. (FREE with RSVP)

SENTINEL - "SOMEWHERE ELSE"

HAPPY FANGS - "THE TRUTH"

SOUL PIE - "BATTLING MOUNTAINS"

MR. KIND - "YOU'RE OK"

BRANCHES - "HELICOPTER"

GIRLS IN SUEDE - "MY LIGHT"

KING LOSES CROWN - "MY REVENGE"

BRING THE TIGER - "BLUE TIGHTS"

KIWI TIME - "FEEL YOU TONIGHT"

The band with the most votes will also play the opening set at Oysterfest 2013 on June 1st, featuring Devo, Mutemath, Bag Raiders, RAC, and Classixx + MORE in Golden Gate Park (more info).

Vote for your favorite bands each day (every 24 hours) until voting ends on Thursday, May 11 at noon. - SF Station


"Airplay Band Of The Month - Sentinel"


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Tuesday, April 23

Airplay Band Of The Month - Sentinel


Meet our newest Band Of The Month, a talented 3 piece Indie-pop band from Oakland, CA. We've interviewed this trio, and came to learn how they've mastered a truly original sound. Get to know Sentinel, what inspires them, how they connect with their fans, and what they've got planned for the future!



Describe your sound in one sentence
Dreamy and transportive Indie-Pop, driven by lush female vocals, hopeful guitar melodies and fashionable drum grooves.

What inspires you to make music?
Making music and art in general is an escape into the romantic and poetic realm that keeps us human, youthful and spiritual.

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead.
Cocteau Twins' overall sound is unworldly beautiful, and they justify alternate ways in which the rock format can be approached. Depeche Mode's songwriting and use of counterpoint is top tier, and they have amazingly cross over format from Euro-Melancholia to American R&B. U2 is a perfect example of dedication to one another in a band, not to mention their passionate catalog of amazing anthems. Essentially, all three of these bands have been huge influences for us for over 20 years.

How do you connect with fans and get them involved in your music?
Besides the obvious modern Social Media, we like to hand CD's and Merch directly to fans from the stage, we're still indie enough to mingle in the crowd before and after our sets, and above all we just love meeting people and hearing what they like; you never know what might inspire you.

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
We love the interactivity between the listeners and our music, which really get's fans more involved and supportive of music in general. We have the most varied and global audience listening to our songs through Radio Airplay. It is really a wonderful thing.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it.
We recently counted up all the demos for possible new full length album, which is mounting up to over 50 darn good ideas. We have released a few singles since our full length For Days Deep (2010), but needless to say, we're overdue for a full length release, or three. We'll definitely be narrowing down and wrangling all that in for a new album around the Fall of 2013.

Jango: http://www.jango.com/music/Sentinel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sentineltheband
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/sentineldream
Bandcamp: http://sentineldream.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SentinelDream
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sentineltheband
- Jango Airplay


"Airplay Band Of The Month - Sentinel"


HomeFAQContestsTop 10Band Of The Month
Share on Tumblr
digg
Tuesday, April 23

Airplay Band Of The Month - Sentinel


Meet our newest Band Of The Month, a talented 3 piece Indie-pop band from Oakland, CA. We've interviewed this trio, and came to learn how they've mastered a truly original sound. Get to know Sentinel, what inspires them, how they connect with their fans, and what they've got planned for the future!



Describe your sound in one sentence
Dreamy and transportive Indie-Pop, driven by lush female vocals, hopeful guitar melodies and fashionable drum grooves.

What inspires you to make music?
Making music and art in general is an escape into the romantic and poetic realm that keeps us human, youthful and spiritual.

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead.
Cocteau Twins' overall sound is unworldly beautiful, and they justify alternate ways in which the rock format can be approached. Depeche Mode's songwriting and use of counterpoint is top tier, and they have amazingly cross over format from Euro-Melancholia to American R&B. U2 is a perfect example of dedication to one another in a band, not to mention their passionate catalog of amazing anthems. Essentially, all three of these bands have been huge influences for us for over 20 years.

How do you connect with fans and get them involved in your music?
Besides the obvious modern Social Media, we like to hand CD's and Merch directly to fans from the stage, we're still indie enough to mingle in the crowd before and after our sets, and above all we just love meeting people and hearing what they like; you never know what might inspire you.

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
We love the interactivity between the listeners and our music, which really get's fans more involved and supportive of music in general. We have the most varied and global audience listening to our songs through Radio Airplay. It is really a wonderful thing.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it.
We recently counted up all the demos for possible new full length album, which is mounting up to over 50 darn good ideas. We have released a few singles since our full length For Days Deep (2010), but needless to say, we're overdue for a full length release, or three. We'll definitely be narrowing down and wrangling all that in for a new album around the Fall of 2013.

Jango: http://www.jango.com/music/Sentinel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sentineltheband
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/sentineldream
Bandcamp: http://sentineldream.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SentinelDream
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sentineltheband
- Jango Airplay


"Hear This: Sentinel"

For fans of Captured Tracks, Northern California’s Sentinel are a trio composed of bassist/vocalist Tarabud, guitarist Dennis Bestafka, and drummer Billy Mowery. Creating a beautiful and effervescent take on dream pop inspired by the legendary forebears of U2, My Bloody Valentine, and The Smiths, this band, active since 2000, have numerous albums and singles to their credit. Utilizing a lovestruck New Romantic aesthetic that hasn’t been in vogue since the glory days of MTV combined with the icily beautiful songwriting and vocals of its lead singer, it’s a treat for those who think 120 Minutes isn’t enough.

Based out of Oakland, they’ve been busy playing shows in their native Bay Area lately. Since their first self-released album in 2004, they’ve released a consistent stream of albums and singles. Their latest, last year’s Somewhere Else, is a shimmering delight that demonstrates it’s not just pensive mood music; they have a knack for synthesis, as evidenced by the New Order-ish synths and danceable beats. Make a spot for Sentinel on your next playlist (or more appropriately, mixtape…the kind you have to rewind,
preferably in between an Echo and the Bunnymen B-side and a Beach Fossils track). by Aberto Santillan 1/23/2013 - OwlMag.com


"Sentinel: Somewhere Else"

Complimenting the coming of Fall tomorrow, we see the arrival of Sentinel’s new single, Somewhere Else, a nice representation of the changing of the seasons that seemingly synchs up perfectly with the brand new video the Bay area trio worked on over the summer months here on the West Coast [US].

The video that we recommend with today’s feature was filmed in digital HD over four different days and in locations around Northern California, including Lassen Volcanic National Park, Helen Putnam Regional Park, Bear River Eldorado National Forest, and Muir Beach National Park. The band created three elementally based character myths which you can read all about on their Vimeo page; namely Tarabud, Gatherman, and Triple B.

What to say about the song, and additionally the video? I’ve already enjoyed several listens and viewings and can’t get enough of how the instrumentals really smash through at the end during mystic hour on the beach w/ the elemental trio engaged in some sort of ceremony well into the moonlit night. The panning shots and locales are fantastic, and the vocals and marching drumbeats from “up on the hill” really bring it all together. Check the Vimeo HD version below! - Insomnia Radio


"Video Review"

Complimenting the coming of Fall tomorrow, we see the arrival of Sentinel’s new single, Somewhere Else, a nice representation of the changing of the seasons that seemingly synchs up perfectly with the brand new video the Bay area trio worked on over the summer months here on the West Coast [US].
The video that we recommend with today’s feature was filmed in digital HD over four different days and in locations around Northern California, including Lassen Volcanic National Park, Helen Putnam Regional Park, Bear River Eldorado National Forest, and Muir Beach National Park. The band created three elementally based character myths which you can read all about on their Vimeo page; namely Tarabud, Gatherman, and Triple B.
What to say about the song, and additionally the video? I’ve already enjoyed several listens and viewings and can’t get enough of how the instrumentals really smash through at the end during mystic hour on the beach w/ the elemental trio engaged in some sort of ceremony well into the moonlit night. The panning shots and locales are fantastic, and the vocals and marching drumbeats from “up on the hill” really bring it all together. Check the Vimeo HD version below! - Insomnia Radio


"Sentinel: Dark End"

We sometimes describe often featured bands as “Network Favourites”, but to use that term for Oakland’s Sentinel is an understatement. Sentinel could justifiably be described as an Insomnia Radio House Band.
Dark End, their latest single, is their sixth appearance on the Daily Dose, and they have also been heard on IR: San Francisco several times. Their work is always of the highest quality, and this is no exception, an excellent example of their Dream Pop style, and it is said by some that Sentinel invented this sub-genre.
Please support them by heading over to the purchase link below to buy their latest offering. - Insomnia Radio Daily Dose


"Sentinel - Self Titled"

Sentinel comes from the so-cal area, putting their roots close to another favorite of the shoegaze; The Autumns. These two bands represent two opposite sides of the shoegaze continuity. Whereas The Autumns have a pretentious artsy dream-pop sound, Sentinel has a very accessible alternative indie-rock sound.

Tarabud's vocals are ethereal and dreamy, but confident and strong as well. Kim Deal is as likely to come to mind as the Cocteau Twins. The guitar work has a lush sound without becoming wall of sound or droning out. Sometimes the songs are a bit too similar, and it would be nice if the vocal range were stretched a bit, but the obvious talent and skill make me think that the next album will be amazing.

Overall, this might not be the CD that will make you decide you've found your newest favorite band, but it is the one that will make you think you are hearing potentially one of the next biggest bands in the genre. I definitely wouldn't miss a show if they were in the area.

For Fans of : Shoegaze, Cocteau Twin, The Breeders, Belly
High Point : “The Muse", "Royal Way
Reviewed By : Dana

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 July 2006 ) - Fresh New tunes


"Sentinel: Jet Black"

Network favorites SENTINEL are back with their newest single JET BLACK, a beautiful dream-pop driven work of art written and inspired at the edges of the San Francisco Bay, in the Summer of 2010.
What you get from Sentinel on this go round are fluid well placed lyrics that open with the succinct mental vision of a figure standing over a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, jet black hair blowing in the wind. A well timed guitar languidly chugs throughout most of the song, with the vocals pairing up perfectly for a reflective day on the coast. Billy is on drums here, and mixing/mastering was done by Dennis (guitarist) at a home studio, although the whole shebang was recorded at PopSmear Studios in San Rafael, CA.
Sentinel are gearing up for a benefit show for Japan this coming Thursday, April 21st up in San Francisco, from 7-10p. The NoisePop sponsored benefit will be at the Make-out Room and features other local acts such as Sambaxe and Poeticali Distherbd. 100% of the ticket price, raffle money, and donations will go to the JCCCNC Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which ensures the money will go straight to local non-profits and CBOs in Japan for citizen-to-citizen relief efforts reaching those most in need in the most affected areas.
Also, Sentinel have released a video to go along with this single, filmed at the shores of Pacific Ocean in San Francisco and at undisclosed locations in Oakland, California in winter. According to the description it was all home made with the help of Izzy Chan, indie film maker of San Francisco. Look further below this post for the visual goods. - Insomnia Radio


"Sentinel: Jet Black"

Network favorites SENTINEL are back with their newest single JET BLACK, a beautiful dream-pop driven work of art written and inspired at the edges of the San Francisco Bay, in the Summer of 2010.
What you get from Sentinel on this go round are fluid well placed lyrics that open with the succinct mental vision of a figure standing over a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, jet black hair blowing in the wind. A well timed guitar languidly chugs throughout most of the song, with the vocals pairing up perfectly for a reflective day on the coast. Billy is on drums here, and mixing/mastering was done by Dennis (guitarist) at a home studio, although the whole shebang was recorded at PopSmear Studios in San Rafael, CA.
Sentinel are gearing up for a benefit show for Japan this coming Thursday, April 21st up in San Francisco, from 7-10p. The NoisePop sponsored benefit will be at the Make-out Room and features other local acts such as Sambaxe and Poeticali Distherbd. 100% of the ticket price, raffle money, and donations will go to the JCCCNC Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which ensures the money will go straight to local non-profits and CBOs in Japan for citizen-to-citizen relief efforts reaching those most in need in the most affected areas.
Also, Sentinel have released a video to go along with this single, filmed at the shores of Pacific Ocean in San Francisco and at undisclosed locations in Oakland, California in winter. According to the description it was all home made with the help of Izzy Chan, indie film maker of San Francisco. Look further below this post for the visual goods. - Insomnia Radio


"Sentinel band of the Week"

So, what exactly IS dream pop?

5 seconds of listening to Sentinel and you realise it's a celebration of a time when indie didn't take itself quite so seriously, and was actually having a pretty full on love-affair with pop, and that was fine.

Where plenty of other bands right now are taking their summery-retro influences from the beach-pop of the 60's, Sentinel keep things a little closer to now, drawing inspiration from the late 80s/early 90's. Think My Bloody Valentine, The Cure etc. (it also reminded me heavily of Curve meets Voice of the Beehive)
.
It's a simple recipe, - the near-perfect sweet-and sour combination of pop-princess vocals (courtesy of lead singer Tarabud) and a chuggy guitars - throw in catchy-as-hell songs and you have a bang-on sound.

As we head into summer Sentinel could very well become the soundtrack to those holiday drives, or evenings spent lazing on the beach.

Who's who in the band

Sentinel band members consist of Tarabud (Vocals and Bass), Dennis Bestafka (Guitar) and Billy Mowery (Drums).
Sentinel has been an official Bay Area based project since 2004 between Tara and Dennis; and have since released multiple albums, EP's and singles through CDBaby.com, on-line distribution.

How did you get together?


Sentinel has had a few various guest drummers and keyboardists over the years; but we've finally settled into the current trio configuration with Billy since early 2010.

How would you describe your sound?

We often label our sound as Dream-Pop, mainly influenced by the likes of various 80's and 90's U.K. bands, such as U2, Cocteau Twins, Stone Roses, Smiths, Cure, Ride, Sundays, etc.

Which musicians influences you?

For specific influences, Tara has always loved female vocal powerhouses such as Pat Benetar, Barbara Streisand, Liz Frasier (Cocteau Twins) and Hayley Williams (paramore); Dennis has always admired the guitar work of The Edge (U2), Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) and John Squire (Stone Roses); and Billy has always been a big fan of Stewart Copeland (Police), Larry Mullen (U2), and Rob Minning (Ocean Blue).

What are your hopes / ambitions for the band in the future?-

By the end of 2011, we hope to land ourselves on the roster of the many fabulous local, Bay Area independent labels, as well as begin tracking a concept record idea that we've been imagining for some time now.
- GotSeen.com


"Sentinel band of the Week"

So, what exactly IS dream pop?

5 seconds of listening to Sentinel and you realise it's a celebration of a time when indie didn't take itself quite so seriously, and was actually having a pretty full on love-affair with pop, and that was fine.

Where plenty of other bands right now are taking their summery-retro influences from the beach-pop of the 60's, Sentinel keep things a little closer to now, drawing inspiration from the late 80s/early 90's. Think My Bloody Valentine, The Cure etc. (it also reminded me heavily of Curve meets Voice of the Beehive)
.
It's a simple recipe, - the near-perfect sweet-and sour combination of pop-princess vocals (courtesy of lead singer Tarabud) and a chuggy guitars - throw in catchy-as-hell songs and you have a bang-on sound.

As we head into summer Sentinel could very well become the soundtrack to those holiday drives, or evenings spent lazing on the beach.

Who's who in the band

Sentinel band members consist of Tarabud (Vocals and Bass), Dennis Bestafka (Guitar) and Billy Mowery (Drums).
Sentinel has been an official Bay Area based project since 2004 between Tara and Dennis; and have since released multiple albums, EP's and singles through CDBaby.com, on-line distribution.

How did you get together?


Sentinel has had a few various guest drummers and keyboardists over the years; but we've finally settled into the current trio configuration with Billy since early 2010.

How would you describe your sound?

We often label our sound as Dream-Pop, mainly influenced by the likes of various 80's and 90's U.K. bands, such as U2, Cocteau Twins, Stone Roses, Smiths, Cure, Ride, Sundays, etc.

Which musicians influences you?

For specific influences, Tara has always loved female vocal powerhouses such as Pat Benetar, Barbara Streisand, Liz Frasier (Cocteau Twins) and Hayley Williams (paramore); Dennis has always admired the guitar work of The Edge (U2), Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) and John Squire (Stone Roses); and Billy has always been a big fan of Stewart Copeland (Police), Larry Mullen (U2), and Rob Minning (Ocean Blue).

What are your hopes / ambitions for the band in the future?-

By the end of 2011, we hope to land ourselves on the roster of the many fabulous local, Bay Area independent labels, as well as begin tracking a concept record idea that we've been imagining for some time now.
- GotSeen.com


"Sentinel Interview"

Please link for complete interview~! - Somojo Magazine


"Sentinel, For Days Deep, by Keane Li"

Oakland dream pop quartet Sentinel's For Days Deep marks the band's fifth release since forming in 2001. Evolving with unexpected line-up changes within the past year, the band was forced to deconstruct, reevaluate, and ultimately rebuild their sound from the bottom up. While their previous release, Kites Without Strings is varied and eclectic in comparison, like a series of different ideas connected, For Days Deep offers a matured conciseness and a crisp quality that adds clarity to their already very warm sound. Says vocalist and bassist Tarabud, "We progressed as a band by being open to much more experimentation and raw moods; spending many afternoons tinkering through ideas over and over again, allowing space for those happy mistakes."

The album opens with "Kinda Light Up," quickly exhibiting Sentinel's pulsating guitar and lush vocal harmonic qualities. The trademark Sentinel echo and reverb are there, creating a wistful soundscape consistent with their dreamlike sound. Within their robust ocean of audio are a few particularly remarkable moments: the strong guitar riff in "Finale," reminiscent of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name," provides a very catchy push forward for the song; and on "As the Crow Flies," a strong chorus melody dramatically dips down into the crux of its lyrics. "I know the breeze of your stormy seas," sings Tarabud before the song re-enters another driving verse. As a whole, the pop sensibilities in For Days Deep - the quick emergence of verses and danceable rhythms - make the record easily digestible and readily enjoyable for a wide variety of listeners. (Self-released) - Performer Mag


"Sequels and Hunches E.P. Review"

Thankfully, the torch of 4AD's legacy is being carried by little-known bands like Sentinel, who know how to absorb angelic atmosphere with melodic mastery and timeless chic. Sequels And Hunches is a 6-song mini-album that hints at the rare majesty of Cocteau Twins EP's. I'm not quite sure how these blue-collar folks make such perfectly lush dream-pop, but the outcome is nothing less than mystical. While utilizing some synth/keyboard work, Sentinel has crafted their own brand of pop that draws liberally from sources like Cocteau Twins, Blonde Redhead, My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Dead Can Dance, and Slowdive. This record is very danceable, yet is equally light. There are few bands as worthy of your attention as Sentinel is, and Sequels And Hunches is a delightfully blissed-out dreamy affair. - Black and White Mag. by Garrett Johnson


"Kites Without Strings Album review"

Westcoast Performer Magazine Review of our album Kites Without Strings, by Keane Li

Sentinel's latest offering, Kites Without Strings, follows their 2007 EP, Sequels and Hunches. The album's dream-pop sound exists enigmatically with a defiance for normal principles: it's ambient and gentle, but energetic and without silence. Inspired by the band's exposure to the cultural and natural beauty found in the Bay Area, this mix successfully describes its four members' experience in living one thing and its opposite.

The eight-track album opens with "Ohlone," leading in with a catchy pulse of rhythmic drums and synth that builds into a driving chorus drenched in polyphonic vocals. The track starts off the album well, providing an upbeat indicator for the following songs.

Midway through, "Spades" serves as a percussive awakening from the dreamlike wistfulness of the album's initial half. Drums drive and keys stand out via repeating riffs adding a refreshing zest, while ambient vocals fill where synthetic sounds sat on previous tracks. It feels organic and vibrant, like sunlight breaking dawn.

The album concludes with "Heroine," a sultry song crawling in Phrygian. The imagery created from Sentinel's lyrics model the band's exotic, modal sound, which is especially meaningful as it represents guitarist Dennis Bestafka's experience as a soldier in Iraq: "There is a tribe on lonely land / Shadows cast the shapes on evening sand." It's a profound escapist end to a profound escapist album.

Filled with sumptuous synth, ultra-reverberated vocals and saturated guitars, Kites Without Strings erupts like one long, happy wall of sound. Most of the songs on the album employ a similar upbeat pop vibe, creating a cohesive quality that might make differentiating them difficult. Thankfully, there isn't a single bad track here, so this little bit of homogeneity proves itself more than welcome. (Self-released) ~ Keane Li - West Coast Performer Magazine


"Sentinel New Release- For Days Deep"

Tonight I’ve been feeling like a fat kid in a candy store, drooling against the display case perusing so many stand-out tracks on the new release by Oakland, CA based SENTINEL. Their new EP “For Days Deep” was released on February 1st, and I’m proud to be able to showcase ‘Whaley’, which starts off with a galloping beat ala Centro-matic, and comes together in so many ways; perfect guitar riffs, swelling bridges and that gallivanting beat creating a hallucinatory dream-pop fueled vision that is hard to shake.

While Tarabud’s vocals take you to an ethereal and carefree place, the instrumentals are intense, at times reminding me of Maserati, and even The Hectors on the track “Finale”, while our Executive Insomniac mentioned they reminded him of The Edge ala U2 on the standout closer, “Sunset”. Make sure you have some patience listening as it starts to continuously fire off around the one minute mark.

Sentinel should be proud as they continue to build upon each release and progress in a variety of very positive directions. We hope they continue to release these EPs well into the future to keep this audial pop-candy addiction satiated.

by Stuart Morrison - Insomnia Radio


"Sentinel- Kites Without Strings"

Sentinel are back again. Kites Without Strings is a fairly short album (8 tracks) but its packing a punch. They seem far bolder than ever before – rocking up the rock aspect of their act as well as the vocals being as dreamy as ever.

What is perplexing about Sentinel is that they seem to have been around far longer than they actually have. There has been two previous albums and even a Singles album passed through the Glasswerk reviews. And yet they have only been an act since 2006.

Its nice then to see that they have retained their image and also checking out what they can do with it. ‘Kites Without String’s in an altogether friendlier affair and probably their most pop album so far. A bit of easy access won’t hamper their artistic integrity.

Founding members Dennis Bestafka and Tatrabud the Guitarist and Vocalist respectively are probably the two members that carry the most signifing sound that is Sentinel. That doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Sentinel are therfore blessed with a sound that is immediatley identifiable. ‘Kites Without Strings’ continues that sound. Sentinel now has a solid back catalogue that they can now hope will stretch overseas and grab new listeners. And anyone who likes the sound of a track they may hear is bound to find it easy to like the rest of their wonderful collection. ~Steven Hurst - Glasswerk United Kingdom


"Kites Without Strings Review"

Flooding from the rich reservoir art that pours out from the street life of Oakland, Sentinel rears and heaves a heavy presence with their latest release, “Kites Without Strings.” Sentinel remains at the cusp of cutting edge, dreamy soundscapes, applying a sing-song sway melodies and unbelievable capacity for elation. Their ephemeral nature can be likened to influences revolving Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine or lovechildren from the same brood. If you love love, love sonic exploration, love spacey atmosphere, and love independence, try loving being a kite--without strings.

1 Ohlone – Subdued energy that coils up and unfolds in good timing. With a kaleidoscope of swirly vocals, listeners, prepare to be hypnotized.
2 Avalanche – The vocals in this track cascade down very beautifully. Great layers of progression envelop and collapse into an emotional release, melting hearts and your worries away.
3 Wreckage – A progressive motion that explores the human experience, underscored by the reflections of the sublime.
8 Heroine – She’ll take you to such great heights with vocals never-ending. This epic journey will take you through valleys up to cliffs and reverse-gravity shooting you into the atmosphere. Breathless.
~Ron E. Ingalla - Brian Farrish


"Avalanche - Kites Review"

Sentinel, a dream-pop three piece from Oakland has returned with another very solid effort on their May 2008 release, �Kites Without Strings�. Avalanche is the second track off their new CD, a beautiful and ethereal pop-driven snapshot portraying jumping into the quick moving avalanche of newfound love without any cares in the world.

Sentinel formed in 2000 in Long Beach, California as a project between musical visionary Dennis Bestafka and long-time vocalist Tarabud. Following Airborne Infantry deployment in Iraq, Dennis returned to the San Francisco area in 2003 to rekindle the project and later picked up local musician Kevin Rothermel. They then put out a few well received albums in the space up to the recent release of �Kites�.

You can find the new album at CDBaby as well as over on iTunes. If you�d like to hear some songs from past albums, take a listen to some past Insomnia Radio: San Francisco shows, specifically #42 and #49. [cs] ~Stuart Morrison - Daily Dose- Insomnia Radio


"Voted 8th top Bay Area Break-out Band"

Sentinel fell in the top 10 by voters as a band they believe to be breaking out! As a result, MTV2 invited Sentinel to submit their new music video for local programing.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhFk8oHfpwI&feature=player_embedded - OurStage.com MTVA VMA contest


"Flying in the Air"

Band interview & song feature on the In Flight Sky Radio for all flights in Continental United States. To be aired starting November, 2009. Very Exciting! - Virgin American Airlines


"Selected by LIVE 105.3 FM"

http://live105.radio.com/2010/05/23/soundcheck-playlist-052310/ - www.live105.com


Discography

  • Sentinel (Self Titled)
  • The Singles
  • Sequels and Hunches E.P.
  • Kites Without Strings
  • Avalanche Dance Remix   
  • X-Mas Singles
  • For Days Deep
  • Jet Black Single
  • Dark End Single
  • Somewhere Else Single
  • Somewhere Else (Extended Dance Remix) 
  • Points of Light

http://sentineldream.bandcamp.com/

Photos

Bio

Sentinel is an Indie-dream-pop three piece based in the Bay Area of California. The seeds of this sunny-seaside-dream-pop began between Tarabud (vocals/bass), Dennis Bestafka (guitars), and Bill Mowery (drums) after meeting up in the San Francisco music scene, an unstoppable Aquarian trio with like minds and a love of making music.

Sentinel's sound is strongly influenced of their mutual visions of 80's synth and 90's dream pop. Bands like Cocteau Twins, Smiths, U2, My Bloody Valentine, Cure, Flock Of Seagulls. Dead Can Dance, and Ocean Blue have provided consistent inspiration, creating a long catalog of moods & textures to draw from while developing their sound.

Over the years their catalog has been expansive with variety. The following five albums and several singles were self-released: Sentinel (self titled) - 2004; The Singles - 2005; Sequels & Hunches E.P. - 2007; Kites Without Strings - 2008; For Days Deep & single video- 2010; Jet Black Single & video - 2010; Dark End Single- 2011; Somewhere Else Single ~ video & dance remix - 2012, and new album - Points of Light - 2015. 
Download all the albums on:
Sentineldream.Bandcamp.com
Cdbaby.com/artist/Sentinel 
iTunes.
Buy CD locally in the Bay Area record shops: Amoeba SF, & Berkeley stores! 
Sentinel has had extensive support from local DJ's playing them over the airwaves to Bay Area listeners. They can be heard on Live105.3 FM, KALX 90.7 FM, & KZSU 90.1 FM. They are also on Medium Rotation on 160+ US and Canadian radio stations with their new album Points of Light. Fortunately, they were featured by Nic Harcourt's syndicated program 'Connections Made by Guitar Center' broadcast nationally on FM stations in the USA. gc.guitarcenter.com/connections.

Band Members