Thunder Power

Press clips:

My Old Kentucky Blog
Thunder Power is a band that understands dynamics, recalling a Moe Tucker-fronted Velvet Underground with just a splash of Pixies. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

AV Club
Thunder Power manages to flesh it out in subtle ways and avoid over-tweeness, making for little moments that let some maturity and individuality show through.

The Needle Drop
I realize they have a forceful name, but their music is reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian: it's got an extremely catchy and whimsical feel to it.

Daytrotter
Thunder Power reminds us of the kind of simplicity that is all we need to survive on, the ways that letters are put into words and then the way that they're given context – the way that no matter what we're going through, there's really no stopping and that's usually what gets us through and over to the other side.

Under the Radar
Soulful twee-pop...you'll be humming...throughout the day.

NYC Taper
The band delivered a charged set that highlighted their “discomforting” yet beautiful indie pop.

Obscure Sound
Led by the uniquely invigorating vocals of Kacynna Tompsett, Thunder Power’s usage of shimmering folk and pop allows them to sit nicely between the hordes of imaginative indie-rock acts and accessible tones of country and folk.

Captainobvious.net
Omaha's Thunder Power feels like a worn old thrift store couch – comfortable … No matter how somber Tompsett's lyrics get, the mood always stays upbeat due to the band's sunny arrangements.

The Umbilical Chord
I love the feeling you get from listening to twee pop. It’s something like sunshine flooding your veins mixed with the satisfaction of eating a bowl of ice cream. That feeling, of pure bliss, is always how I felt while listening to the debut EP Love Yourself from Thunder Power.

Hot Biscuits
Thunder Power have a sound that makes it feel like every day is summer. If you live in a cold climate like me, I’d recommend putting on their Love Yourself EP, closing your eyes, and getting lost in their feel-good vibes.

The Sound of Indie
The obvious comparison to Belle & Sebastian could be made, but their sound seems to be rooted a lot more in ‘60s soul or jazz than a retread of contemporary indie pop. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on.

FensePost
Whatever the song, it doesn’t discount the fact that Thunder Power is an excellent band with amazing potential. They proved it with Love Yourself… and they definitely do so again with And Everything After.

Local Vertical
One of our favorite bands, Thunder Power, has a new EP out. And Everything After includes five tracks that reveal a more delicate side to the band and singer Kacynna Tompsett, who still sings like no one I've ever heard (that's a good thing). The energic quality of 2008's debut Love Yourself is counterbalanced by a more introspective tone, which only serves to reveal just how gifted this group of musicians are. A band that once you hear them, you'll like them.

Lazy-i.com
The evening's big surprise, however, was Thunder Power...wherein most six-piece bands seem to have two too many members, TP uses every position to its fullest – a keyboard player, two guitars (a rhythm and a lead), bass and drums, and that earthy front woman.

Lawrence.com
A female-fronted, indie-pop sextet from Omaha that should be tops with fans of Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura.

AW Music
With Twee pop influences and voice that at first doesn’t seem to suit the style, it makes Thunder Power stand out among the simplistic folk/pop outfits that are a dime a dozen.

Mainstream Isn’t So Bad
A satisfying slice of Nebraska … served up with a dreamy, winsome air that's nice and light on the ears and occasionally kicks up a gear or two, but still retains an earthiness about it.
Instrumentation. - various

Press clips:

My Old Kentucky Blog
Thunder Power is a band that understands dynamics, recalling a Moe Tucker-fronted Velvet Underground with just a splash of Pixies. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

AV Club
Thunder Power manages to flesh it out in subtle ways and avoid over-tweeness, making for little moments that let some maturity and individuality show through.

The Needle Drop
I realize they have a forceful name, but their music is reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian: it's got an extremely catchy and whimsical feel to it.

Daytrotter
Thunder Power reminds us of the kind of simplicity that is all we need to survive on, the ways that letters are put into words and then the way that they're given context – the way that no matter what we're going through, there's really no stopping and that's usually what gets us through and over to the other side.

Under the Radar
Soulful twee-pop...you'll be humming...throughout the day.

NYC Taper
The band delivered a charged set that highlighted their “discomforting” yet beautiful indie pop.

Obscure Sound
Led by the uniquely invigorating vocals of Kacynna Tompsett, Thunder Power’s usage of shimmering folk and pop allows them to sit nicely between the hordes of imaginative indie-rock acts and accessible tones of country and folk.

Captainobvious.net
Omaha's Thunder Power feels like a worn old thrift store couch – comfortable … No matter how somber Tompsett's lyrics get, the mood always stays upbeat due to the band's sunny arrangements.

The Umbilical Chord
I love the feeling you get from listening to twee pop. It’s something like sunshine flooding your veins mixed with the satisfaction of eating a bowl of ice cream. That feeling, of pure bliss, is always how I felt while listening to the debut EP Love Yourself from Thunder Power.

Hot Biscuits
Thunder Power have a sound that makes it feel like every day is summer. If you live in a cold climate like me, I’d recommend putting on their Love Yourself EP, closing your eyes, and getting lost in their feel-good vibes.

The Sound of Indie
The obvious comparison to Belle & Sebastian could be made, but their sound seems to be rooted a lot more in ‘60s soul or jazz than a retread of contemporary indie pop. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on.

FensePost
Whatever the song, it doesn’t discount the fact that Thunder Power is an excellent band with amazing potential. They proved it with Love Yourself… and they definitely do so again with And Everything After.

Local Vertical
One of our favorite bands, Thunder Power, has a new EP out. And Everything After includes five tracks that reveal a more delicate side to the band and singer Kacynna Tompsett, who still sings like no one I've ever heard (that's a good thing). The energic quality of 2008's debut Love Yourself is counterbalanced by a more introspective tone, which only serves to reveal just how gifted this group of musicians are. A band that once you hear them, you'll like them.

Lazy-i.com
The evening's big surprise, however, was Thunder Power...wherein most six-piece bands seem to have two too many members, TP uses every position to its fullest – a keyboard player, two guitars (a rhythm and a lead), bass and drums, and that earthy front woman.

Lawrence.com
A female-fronted, indie-pop sextet from Omaha that should be tops with fans of Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura.

AW Music
With Twee pop influences and voice that at first doesn’t seem to suit the style, it makes Thunder Power stand out among the simplistic folk/pop outfits that are a dime a dozen.

Mainstream Isn’t So Bad
A satisfying slice of Nebraska … served up with a dreamy, winsome air that's nice and light on the ears and occasionally kicks up a gear or two, but still retains an earthiness about it.
Instrumentation. - various

"omaha-based thunder power recorded love yourself, their debut ep, over the winter of '07-'08, which facts (title, season) we knew before listening to the album and caused us, in our snaply judgmental way, to peg it as likely a somber, austere & self-affirming affair. luckily, as with a fair number of snap judgments, this idea was misconceived and (mostly) incorrect.

the upbeat pop-inflection of what is to our minds the standout song, "(why don't you go) take a hike?", reminds us of belle & sebastian and masks the somewhat melancholy lyrics: "why don't you just leave me alone? i was doing fine when i was on my own."

the ep as a whole impresses, so after listening to "take a hike" below you may want to skip over to saddle creek and look into picking up a copy."
-http://anyones-guess.blogspot.com/ - Anyone's Guess (9/29/08)

"Some acts still fail to sound cohesive after years and years of working together, but others can craft such a dedicated sound that it is heavily prevalent that only years and years of perfecting their craft together could result in such a unified sound. Thunder Power are one of those bands that makes such indications easy, as their ability to emit an emotionally eclectic disposition over a consistent stylistic array is a skill that most independent artists have become less and less committed to over the years. When one undertakes their first listen of this Omaha-based (six-piece), the result is neither foreign nor intimidating. In fact, even the band members themselves admit that it sounds like something vaguely “familiar that you can’t quite pinpoint – or shake off”. The source behind the inability to shake it off is quite simple, as their songs are as addictive as they come in the clashing genres of folk, pop, and rock. The sense of familiarity, though, lies more in the influences that they wear on their sleeves. Clearly students of a variety of genres ranging from wistful country to upbeat pop, their openness to a variety of styles in addition to their decades of working together has made them an act that is generating a substantial amount of buzz for all of the right reasons.

"Led by the uniquely invigorating vocals of Kacynna Tompsett, Thunder Power’s usage of shimmering folk and pop allows them to sit nicely between the hordes of imaginative indie-rock acts and accessible tones of country and folk. She encompasses the type of vocals that are impossible to differentiate between a male or female singing, and I mean that in the most complementary way possible. They are simultaneously endearing and inimitably enthralling, two aspects that allow the group’s fused genres to flow with ease and compassion. The group tends to label it as 'old soul' vocals, serving as an ode to the highly ardent soul greats of the past with her flexible range often contrasting well with intricate melodic arrangements and choral shifts of emotion.

"…Thunder Power’s impressive debut EP, Love Yourself, was recorded primarily during the winter of 2007-2008, using a canvas display of both upbeat optimism and gloomy pessimism on the release’s 5 included tracks. Ian Aeillo, an apparent favorite over at Saddle Creek with credits that include Bright Eyes and Cursive, produced the EP. As a whole, the songs do not tend to stray too far from a formula that the group has already deemed successful with wise precision. On the standout '(Why Don’t You Go) Take a Hike?' Tompsett’s vocals appear slightly reminiscent of the nasally yelp emitted by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s Alec Ounsworth. I know the comparison may seem initially odd when one takes the opposite genders into hand, but both are capable of sounding comfortably familiar within the realm of quality indie-rock with elements heavily reminiscent of pop-infused folk coming into play. '(Why Don’t You Go) Take a Hike?' is highly involved with its impressive instrumentation – a comforting mixture of sparkling keys, acoustic guitars, and soft rhythmic additives – and twangy bridge, but the simplicity found within the structure allows the listener to become seamlessly acquainted with the band’s stylistic make-up. 'Why don’t you just leave me alone? I was doing fine, I was on my own,' Tompsett sings with a melancholic croon, hinting at the tragic effect of heartbreak. It is simply an example of somber lyrics within an enjoyably upbeat melody, an effective mixture found on much of Thunder Power’s material.

"Tompsett is rounded out by a group of five musicians who have played together for the past decade. More importantly, they claim themselves to be the best of friends, an aspect that shines nicely when listeners allows themselves to recognize how sharp the songs truly are. Multi-instrumentalist Matt Hutton, guitarist Alex Boardman, keyboardist Ian Simons, guitarist/bassist Will Simons, and drummer Jason Koba all round out her murkily powerful vocals in exuberant form, always choosing variation in appliance to which instrument is set to shine. Solos are never present here, as the concise nature of their three-minute ballads and pop snippets is more intent on hooking the listener immediately than toying with epic proportions.

"…For a band with multiple songwriters who are generally all multi-instrumentalists, it is a feat that is not all that surprising. The brisk 'Your Pantry' is one of the most enchanting and vigorous of the handful, not reaching the infectious pinnacle of a gem like '(Why Don’t You Go) Take a Hike?' but coming close enough with a chorus that sees a mixture of guitars and synthesized strings collide for a charming effect."
-published 9/2/08 by Obscuresound.com.

- Obscure Sound (9/2/08)

"Some acts still fail to sound cohesive after years and years of working together, but others can craft such a dedicated sound that it is heavily prevalent that only years and years of perfecting their craft together could result in such a unified sound. Thunder Power are one of those bands that makes such indications easy, as their ability to emit an emotionally eclectic disposition over a consistent stylistic array is a skill that most independent artists have become less and less committed to over the years. When one undertakes their first listen of this Omaha-based (six-piece), the result is neither foreign nor intimidating. In fact, even the band members themselves admit that it sounds like something vaguely “familiar that you can’t quite pinpoint – or shake off”. The source behind the inability to shake it off is quite simple, as their songs are as addictive as they come in the clashing genres of folk, pop, and rock. The sense of familiarity, though, lies more in the influences that they wear on their sleeves. Clearly students of a variety of genres ranging from wistful country to upbeat pop, their openness to a variety of styles in addition to their decades of working together has made them an act that is generating a substantial amount of buzz for all of the right reasons.

"Led by the uniquely invigorating vocals of Kacynna Tompsett, Thunder Power’s usage of shimmering folk and pop allows them to sit nicely between the hordes of imaginative indie-rock acts and accessible tones of country and folk. She encompasses the type of vocals that are impossible to differentiate between a male or female singing, and I mean that in the most complementary way possible. They are simultaneously endearing and inimitably enthralling, two aspects that allow the group’s fused genres to flow with ease and compassion. The group tends to label it as 'old soul' vocals, serving as an ode to the highly ardent soul greats of the past with her flexible range often contrasting well with intricate melodic arrangements and choral shifts of emotion.

"…Thunder Power’s impressive debut EP, Love Yourself, was recorded primarily during the winter of 2007-2008, using a canvas display of both upbeat optimism and gloomy pessimism on the release’s 5 included tracks. Ian Aeillo, an apparent favorite over at Saddle Creek with credits that include Bright Eyes and Cursive, produced the EP. As a whole, the songs do not tend to stray too far from a formula that the group has already deemed successful with wise precision. On the standout '(Why Don’t You Go) Take a Hike?' Tompsett’s vocals appear slightly reminiscent of the nasally yelp emitted by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s Alec Ounsworth. I know the comparison may seem initially odd when one takes the opposite genders into hand, but both are capable of sounding comfortably familiar within the realm of quality indie-rock with elements heavily reminiscent of pop-infused folk coming into play. '(Why Don’t You Go) Take a Hike?' is highly involved with its impressive instrumentation – a comforting mixture of sparkling keys, acoustic guitars, and soft rhythmic additives – and twangy bridge, but the simplicity found within the structure allows the listener to become seamlessly acquainted with the band’s stylistic make-up. 'Why don’t you just leave me alone? I was doing fine, I was on my own,' Tompsett sings with a melancholic croon, hinting at the tragic effect of heartbreak. It is simply an example of somber lyrics within an enjoyably upbeat melody, an effective mixture found on much of Thunder Power’s material.

"Tompsett is rounded out by a group of five musicians who have played together for the past decade. More importantly, they claim themselves to be the best of friends, an aspect that shines nicely when listeners allows themselves to recognize how sharp the songs truly are. Multi-instrumentalist Matt Hutton, guitarist Alex Boardman, keyboardist Ian Simons, guitarist/bassist Will Simons, and drummer Jason Koba all round out her murkily powerful vocals in exuberant form, always choosing variation in appliance to which instrument is set to shine. Solos are never present here, as the concise nature of their three-minute ballads and pop snippets is more intent on hooking the listener immediately than toying with epic proportions.

"…For a band with multiple songwriters who are generally all multi-instrumentalists, it is a feat that is not all that surprising. The brisk 'Your Pantry' is one of the most enchanting and vigorous of the handful, not reaching the infectious pinnacle of a gem like '(Why Don’t You Go) Take a Hike?' but coming close enough with a chorus that sees a mixture of guitars and synthesized strings collide for a charming effect."
-published 9/2/08 by Obscuresound.com.

- Obscure Sound (9/2/08)

Omaha's Thunder Power feels like a worn old thrift store couch - comfortable. Vocalist Kacynna Tompsett's warmly androgynous voice is accompanied by the band's genre-blending sound. Best described as creators of pop-infused (with an extra helping of pop) folk music, Thunder Power mixes acoustic guitars with playful keys, strings, accordions, and infectious basslines in a fashion that's reminiscent of music from another time. No matter how somber Tompsett's lyrics get, the mood always stays upbeat due to the band's sunny arrangements. Thunder Power's new mini-album Love Yourself makes a great listen if you're in a shitty mood and need cheering up. The album's being distributed by Saddle Creek, whose association with indie-folk acts such as Two Gallants and Bright Eyes should be reason enough to check the EP out. -- Capt. Obvious - captainobvoius.net (9/4/08)

Omaha's Thunder Power feels like a worn old thrift store couch - comfortable. Vocalist Kacynna Tompsett's warmly androgynous voice is accompanied by the band's genre-blending sound. Best described as creators of pop-infused (with an extra helping of pop) folk music, Thunder Power mixes acoustic guitars with playful keys, strings, accordions, and infectious basslines in a fashion that's reminiscent of music from another time. No matter how somber Tompsett's lyrics get, the mood always stays upbeat due to the band's sunny arrangements. Thunder Power's new mini-album Love Yourself makes a great listen if you're in a shitty mood and need cheering up. The album's being distributed by Saddle Creek, whose association with indie-folk acts such as Two Gallants and Bright Eyes should be reason enough to check the EP out. -- Capt. Obvious - captainobvoius.net (9/4/08)

The exclamatory Thunder Power!!! is a female-fronted, indie-pop sextet from Omaha that should be tops with fans of Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura. - Lawrence.com (Lawrence, Kan.)

Omaha's Thunder Power!!! put enough gentle breezes in its music to lull those exclamation points onto their sides. It's not lethargic, just more interested in using acoustic guitars, gentle boy-girl vocals, and keys for part-peppy, part-melancholy folk-pop songs. (That excess punctuation might as well be denoting the sentence: "Someone's been listening to Belle And Sebastian a whole lot.") Even so, Thunder Power manages to flesh it out in subtle ways and avoid over-tweeness, making for little moments that let some maturity and individuality show through. - The AV Club (Madison, Wis.)

Folk-poppers Thunder Power hit their stride

by Brady Vredenburg

Much like that nagging, oversize sweater that one day pulls on feeling quite snug, there arrives a day for several musicians, both the skilled and the lucky, when things just start to fit. Such a time has arrived for indie folk-pop sextet Thunder Power. A conversation with vocalist/guitarist/bassist Matt Hutton cleared up the odds and ends about this progression of events and what is shaping up to be quite a busy band these days.

“Initially,” Hutton shares of TP’s genesis, “it was a solo deal called Matthew’s Tricycle, where I played a few shows in 2006 up at the Barley [Street Tavern]. It wasn’t long before I was speaking with some friends in another band about maybe doing something,” he said. That ‘band,’ the now-defunct local stalwarts Life After Laserdisque, saw a drummer and keyboardist come forth in aid. The newly formed trio began to play and quickly found themselves a five-piece.

After nearly two years of gigging, other alterations have included some personnel changes, the dropping of the cheeky urgency of “!!!” in their name, and the ballooning of their act into a sprawling six-person outfit. Recently in the studio, on a few of their compositions as many as nine players were utilized, but Hutton chuckles at the prospect of allowing the troupe to swell further.

“It’s enough to expect six people to be on the same page than to ask nine to do the same,” he laughed.

From these sessions, ten songs were completed at ARC Studios in Omaha, with Ian Aeillo, in winter ‘07/’08. An aural triptych of sorts, this batch of tunes will be divvied amongst three upcoming releases, the first of these to be delivered this week, an EP dubbed Love Yourself… Weighing in at a hefty 35 minutes, these five tracks emerge as an exercise in range, a laboratory experiment yielding five very diverse results from a band as yet tooling with their very apparent talents.

Just as the opener, “Take a Hike,” hints at a familiar Life Without Buildings-esque pound, the female vocal-driven jangle hoists it into a delicate, ethereal musing once reserved for the Mazzy Star-struck. The listener is left bewildered then, when the closer and departing tune entitled “Lucky to be Alive” hangs its head, a charming and decidedly lo-fi strut into the sunset.

The random nature of the EP’s exeunt is all the more reason to follow up the organized chaos of this initial release with what is certain to be more to the story. On deck is the two-song Burden of Proof 7”. The title track is streaming online (myspace.com/thundapowa). If the EP ended in doubtful whisper, judging from Hutton’s playful swagger on “Burden of Proof,” everything will work out just fine.

Finally, as Hutton describes — and what one might deduce to be — the crowning jewel of their achievement, TP will feature three songs on a split with British chanteuse Alessi Laurent-Marke entitled Friend Ships. Of the split, Hutton commented, “ … we just played a show with her here, and she liked our stuff and bought the CD. When she was doing some recording here, she said that she couldn’t stop listening to it, and we joked of putting out a split.” The gag quickly became a reality and in early fall Laurent-Marke’s imprint, Zooey Records Ltd., will release it.

What seems to be next for a band in perpetual motion? Hutton said weekend shows will continue around the area and surrounding states, followed by a fairly involved radio campaign in promotion of their new material. Distribution for the EP is in the works with local Slumber Party records. Ultimately, he says, a lengthy tour will ensue next year.

“We’d like to hit the road for a two-month tour sometime in mid-2009, so we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

Looking forward is exactly where they stand. - Omaha Reader (Aug. 13, 2008)

The evening's big surprise, however, was Thunder Power!!!...wherein most six-piece bands seem to have two too many members, TP!!! uses every position to its fullest – a keyboard player (who smokes a pipe on stage, very professorial!) two guitars (a rhythm and a lead), bass and drums, and that earthy front woman. –Tim McMahan (2/28/08) - Lazy-i.com (Omaha)

Thunder Power lead vocalist Kacynna Tompsett sings like no one I've ever seen sing. It's as if her mouth is full of the sweetest and rare-to-find fruit and as she sings, she's determined to keep eating into those wondrous slices as well as not letting even a half drop of the delicious juices escape from her throat and tongue. It's a mesmerizing display of doing things a different way than most. It's a description that would make one imagine that the words she does sing are strangled and jumbled up in knots and straightjackets, but they come out so much differently. They billow out of her mouth with warm decorations and declarations, swaying in lightly raveling ribbons of white to wherever they're needed - to the ceiling, to the waiting ears, to the heavens that they deserve. They seem to dance with the empty void, not knowing how they got up there or out of the darkness, but they're not complaining. They're just drowsily ambling through their precise steps, being clear and being half-awake and half-asleep, all for the goodness of the song. It's a lowering of the lights, a slipping into something a little bit more comfortable, even if the subject matter that the words are rolling involves the furthest thing from wedded bliss. Thunder Power songs tackle the subject of domestic disharmony more frequently than would be expected of a young group of kids, fronted by a young lady who's not even allowed by the government to drink the same scotch that she sings about. Thunder Power reminds us of the kind of simplicity that is all we need to survive on, the ways that letters are put into words and then the way that they're given context - the way that no matter what we're going through, there's really no stopping and that's usually what gets us through and over to the other side. It's that feeling that daydreaming is a useful form of avoidance, a way to staving off the kind of entropy that will freeze the joints and muscles and make it easy for everything else to dejectedly shut down. Tompsett is a killer voice and though she's the most memorable piece of this Omaha band's puzzle (vocalists tend to be), it's her surrounding cast of Matt Hutton, Will Simons, Ian Simons, Jason Koba and Alex Boardman who construct the scenery for her to enrich. They make delightfully dark panoramas of relationships doomed for the sorts of predictable failures that most people hate to admit that they expect too. They make music for lovingly brooding souls - ones who hope for better times, but realize that these are more difficult to attain than they'd originally scripted out. It's all okay though, seems to say Thunder Power, as pain and discomfort beget their idea of beauty. - Sean Moeller/Daytrotter 6/13/09

Thunder Power – exclamation point-less – to celebrate EP release at Slowdown Friday

By: Marq Manner

Omaha indie-rock band Thunder Power has been an ongoing and evolving entity for some time now. Kacynna Tompsett’s inclusion as a co-lead vocalist in the band, along with some departures, have left them with less of a straight ahead rock sound. Instead the mix of young and experienced musicians find themselves exploring possible influences such as Scottish folk and pop band Belle & Sebastian, legendary indie band Yo La Tengo and the Japanese lounge pop of Pizzicato Five. While others in town have tried this mix of music Thunder Power may be the first to have a good grasp of the sound on record.

Some of the band’s songs lean towards the folksier side especially when vocalist Matt Hutton takes the lead such as on “Lucky to Be Alive.” Other tunes like “Take a Hike” mix ethereal chamber pop with a quirky upbeat tempo and instrumentation. The band has become quite the buzz band in town alongside other “second wind” artists such at Honeybee, Capgun Coup, Flowers Forever, Bear Country and Baby Walrus. The band’s first EP “Love Yourself” will be released through a deal with local label Slumber Party records and will receive national distribution through indie giant ADA.

The band will be celebrating the release of “Love Yourself” this Friday at the Slowdown with Honeybee, Midwest Dilemma and These United States. The 9 p.m. show will be all ages and the band will actually have a notary on hand from 5-7 p.m. to simplify the process for those under 18 at the Slowdown. I found out more about their plans for a notary along with information about the recording of “Love Yourself,” and much more during a recent sit down at the Pizza Shoppe with Thunder Power.

When did you form as a band?

Jason: It started off with just Matt and I. Then by the time Brendan left it was a four piece.
Matt: Then we asked Kacynna to join on my birthday. We had just played a show with her and I walked up to her and said “clearly I am not the best singer in town” and asked her if I could steal her from her own band.

Which band was that?

Kacynna: Tea Ceremony. We are still going.

So how did it evolve from there? Was she the key to the band’s evolving sound?

Matt: It was really just a natural progression of things. I think it was when Brendan left and Jason had to stop playing keyboards and got to play drums.

Jason: We were playing instruments that were not our first choices and once we stopped doing that we stopped writing depressing music and focused on good songs.

Will: We started writing poppy tunes.

What made you want to join the band?

Kacynna: They are goofy dudes and we hung out. At first I asked to do some backup vocals for the songs and they just said “here is the mike.”

Jason: She is also playing guitar and bass as well. Now we have 900 guitar players like Thin Lizzy.

Will: Well, they write good pop tunes.

Where did the album title come from?

Matt: We have this song that has changed titles like five times. One time it was called “Love Yourself Because You’re Beautiful.” We realized how ridiculously hippie that is, but now we have the shortened hippie version of it and used it as the title of the album.

Where did you record the album?

Will: We got invited to record at ARC and we wanted to jump on that opportunity before it got away. The plan was to do 10 songs at once. We had made a demo with Reagan at Side Street Music. There were budget and time issues, but the other songs will be coming out.

Jason: This is our solo debut. We are also doing a split with Alessi (British folk artist that has found a second home in the Omaha music scene) and the other two [songs] will come out on a 7-inch.

What is the songwriting process for the band?

Matt: Most of the time when we write songs, members of the band have been bringing in skeletons of songs to practice and by the time it is complete they are all in very different places. Folk songs turn into pop tunes…

Ian: Folk songs turn into power ballads.

Jason: Yeah, that happened. That is our newest thing. We keep saying pop songs, but I don’t know if they all come off this way. It’s our idea of pop songs, not some Britney Spears stuff.

Will: The songs on the Alessi split are more folk-y songs. The songs on this EP were just our most upbeat songs.

Were there any good stories out of the studio?

Kacynna: Jumping out of the double doors that you could hide in the middle of and scaring whomever came through.

Jason: We drank a lot of Beer 30 Ice. They are 30 packs of beer that they practically pay you to take away.

Will: We drank some of Malpais’s (local band that had previously recorded at ARC) liquor.

Matt: I guess they were so drunk that they forgot that they left it. It was good Scotch, like Johnny Walker Red. It was a very fun and stressful time. Where as most bands are able to take a month to record, we had to do i - Omaha City Weekly (Aug. 13, 2008)

Thunder Power – exclamation point-less – to celebrate EP release at Slowdown Friday

By: Marq Manner

Omaha indie-rock band Thunder Power has been an ongoing and evolving entity for some time now. Kacynna Tompsett’s inclusion as a co-lead vocalist in the band, along with some departures, have left them with less of a straight ahead rock sound. Instead the mix of young and experienced musicians find themselves exploring possible influences such as Scottish folk and pop band Belle & Sebastian, legendary indie band Yo La Tengo and the Japanese lounge pop of Pizzicato Five. While others in town have tried this mix of music Thunder Power may be the first to have a good grasp of the sound on record.

Some of the band’s songs lean towards the folksier side especially when vocalist Matt Hutton takes the lead such as on “Lucky to Be Alive.” Other tunes like “Take a Hike” mix ethereal chamber pop with a quirky upbeat tempo and instrumentation. The band has become quite the buzz band in town alongside other “second wind” artists such at Honeybee, Capgun Coup, Flowers Forever, Bear Country and Baby Walrus. The band’s first EP “Love Yourself” will be released through a deal with local label Slumber Party records and will receive national distribution through indie giant ADA.

The band will be celebrating the release of “Love Yourself” this Friday at the Slowdown with Honeybee, Midwest Dilemma and These United States. The 9 p.m. show will be all ages and the band will actually have a notary on hand from 5-7 p.m. to simplify the process for those under 18 at the Slowdown. I found out more about their plans for a notary along with information about the recording of “Love Yourself,” and much more during a recent sit down at the Pizza Shoppe with Thunder Power.

When did you form as a band?

Jason: It started off with just Matt and I. Then by the time Brendan left it was a four piece.
Matt: Then we asked Kacynna to join on my birthday. We had just played a show with her and I walked up to her and said “clearly I am not the best singer in town” and asked her if I could steal her from her own band.

Which band was that?

Kacynna: Tea Ceremony. We are still going.

So how did it evolve from there? Was she the key to the band’s evolving sound?

Matt: It was really just a natural progression of things. I think it was when Brendan left and Jason had to stop playing keyboards and got to play drums.

Jason: We were playing instruments that were not our first choices and once we stopped doing that we stopped writing depressing music and focused on good songs.

Will: We started writing poppy tunes.

What made you want to join the band?

Kacynna: They are goofy dudes and we hung out. At first I asked to do some backup vocals for the songs and they just said “here is the mike.”

Jason: She is also playing guitar and bass as well. Now we have 900 guitar players like Thin Lizzy.

Will: Well, they write good pop tunes.

Where did the album title come from?

Matt: We have this song that has changed titles like five times. One time it was called “Love Yourself Because You’re Beautiful.” We realized how ridiculously hippie that is, but now we have the shortened hippie version of it and used it as the title of the album.

Where did you record the album?

Will: We got invited to record at ARC and we wanted to jump on that opportunity before it got away. The plan was to do 10 songs at once. We had made a demo with Reagan at Side Street Music. There were budget and time issues, but the other songs will be coming out.

Jason: This is our solo debut. We are also doing a split with Alessi (British folk artist that has found a second home in the Omaha music scene) and the other two [songs] will come out on a 7-inch.

What is the songwriting process for the band?

Matt: Most of the time when we write songs, members of the band have been bringing in skeletons of songs to practice and by the time it is complete they are all in very different places. Folk songs turn into pop tunes…

Ian: Folk songs turn into power ballads.

Jason: Yeah, that happened. That is our newest thing. We keep saying pop songs, but I don’t know if they all come off this way. It’s our idea of pop songs, not some Britney Spears stuff.

Will: The songs on the Alessi split are more folk-y songs. The songs on this EP were just our most upbeat songs.

Were there any good stories out of the studio?

Kacynna: Jumping out of the double doors that you could hide in the middle of and scaring whomever came through.

Jason: We drank a lot of Beer 30 Ice. They are 30 packs of beer that they practically pay you to take away.

Will: We drank some of Malpais’s (local band that had previously recorded at ARC) liquor.

Matt: I guess they were so drunk that they forgot that they left it. It was good Scotch, like Johnny Walker Red. It was a very fun and stressful time. Where as most bands are able to take a month to record, we had to do i - Omaha City Weekly (Aug. 13, 2008)