The Northern Way

Used to be, a band aimed for a major recording-label deal. Now smaller labels, or even techno-savvy musicians themselves, can produce and distribute songs. So is a big contract the way to go?
Brian Schwartz works with numerous baby bands from his Boulder office, but only one of them is waltzing with multiple major labels. The Northern Way sounds like a more soulful Maroon 5, with singer Steve Melton rocking the role of a very young (and blond) Adam Levine.

One listen to the Greeley band's single "Crazy" and it's clear: They're onto something. And that's why this is such an exciting time for the quartet, which will soon announce a headlining date at the Hi-Dive in late September.

"The labels that are interested in the Northern Way are major labels," said Schwartz, the group's manager and president of Bleemusic Inc. "They hear the songs, and they see the potential for those songs to become hits outside of Colorado. These potential hits — and I only say 'potential' because they're not proven outside the market — are appealing to labels because they're already on the radio here.

"The fact that these guys are on KTCL carries weight because of the success (the station has) had in breaking the Fray and Flobots and 3OH!3. And the Northern Way is more of a Hot AC or pop band than an alternative-rock band, so that also gives labels a warm and fuzzy feeling — that 'Crazy' can do that well at alternative. You have to imagine what it can do elsewhere."

The Northern Way's mass-market potential is very real. And that's all the more reason for the band to practice patience. Schwartz is a music industry veteran, and he's guiding these kids to a place where they can grow and flourish — a . . . major label?

"In the Northern Way's case, they are a radio band, and their career will be driven by radio," Schwartz said. "Major labels are still successful at driving those radio campaigns, so that's the right place for them."
- The Denver Post

It's a small band, playing in the basement of a small house in a quiet neighborhood in Fort Collins. And, yet, you listen to them and can fully expect that any time soon, they'll be making a lot of noise nationwide.

The Northern Way is a band that grew from a bit of encouragement that lead singer and keyboardist Steve Melton received at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He had competed at the annual "UNC Idol" competition when the judges suggested he form a band. That's what he did. First, as Set Forth and now, with Jeff Bostic, Marc Teets and Ryan Buller, as The Northern Way.

They may be, at the moment, playing a series of local clubs up and down the Front Range, but, soon, they hope to spark some nationwide attention, beginning with a set on July 18 at the Mile High Music Festival.

"It's quite an honor for us," Steve Melton told me. "This is one of the big, important festivals in the country and it really is great for us to be invited to play there."

The band should fit right into the musical mix of the festival with a sound that merges classic rock themes with soul vocals and alternative riffs. Even given the acoustics of a basement studio, I found myself completely captured by the music, especially the tune, "Crazy."

The Northern Way is getting some radio play, which is key to jumping out nationally. And, given the recent track record of local bands making it big, hope to catch that wave soon.

"The local music scene is very much on the rise," Melton said. "The Fray really got it going here and helped make Colorado a hot bed for new music and performers. In fact, we can compete equally with L.A. and New York right now."

And The Northern Way can compete as well, on the national stage. You can hear some of their music at www.myspace.com/thenorthernway.
- CBS Channel 4 Denver

KTCL in Denver is playing the song, check your Mediabase. The station put local bands like The Fray, 3OH!3, Tickle Me Pink, and Flobots on the map. Is this the next one? - Crazed Hits

The Northern Way will be doing an interview and a brief performance on CBS Channel 4 News Thursday (May 28) at 6:45PM.

Be sure to support the local music scene and tune in everyone!



'The Northern Way' Works Front Range Music Scene...

It's a small band, playing in the basement of a small house in a quiet neighborhood in Fort Collins. And, yet, you listen to them and can fully expect that any time soon, they'll be making a lot of noise nationwide.

The Northern Way is a band that grew from a bit of encouragement that lead singer and keyboardist Steve Melton received at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He had competed at the annual "UNC Idol" competition when the judges suggested he form a band. That's what he did. First, as Set Forth and now, with Jeff Bostic, Marc Teets and Ryan Buller, as The Northern Way.

They may be, at the moment, playing a series of local clubs up and down the Front Range, but, soon, they hope to spark some nationwide attention, beginning with a set on July 18 at the Mile High Music Festival.

"It's quite an honor for us," Steve Melton told me. "This is one of the big, important festivals in the country and it really is great for us to be invited to play there."

The band should fit right into the musical mix of the festival with a sound that merges classic rock themes with soul vocals and alternative riffs. Even given the acoustics of a basement studio, I found myself completely captured by the music, especially the tune, "Crazy."

The Northern Way is getting some radio play, which is key to jumping out nationally. And, given the recent track record of local bands making it big, hope to catch that wave soon.

"The local music scene is very much on the rise," Melton said. "The Fray really got it going here and helped make Colorado a hot bed for new music and performers. In fact, we can compete equally with L.A. and New York right now."

And The Northern Way can compete as well, on the national stage. You can hear some of their music at www.myspace.com/thenorthernway.
- Mile High Music Festival/AEG Live