Two Lights
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Two Lights unlocked the night, though they weren’t in unfamiliar territory as the rock band call New York City home. While the venue was still filling up, the four man ensemble easily captured people’s attention with their catchy songs and impressive guitar work. Keyboardist Abner Willis seamlessly transitioned between the keyboard, guitar, and vocals, showing off his diverse talents while his brother Harper played lead guitar and took over vocal duties on several of the songs. Behind it all, bassist Ryan Gross filled out their sound with a steady, propulsive rhythm. They weren’t an opener that you would have expected for an act like Astronautalis, but it didn’t matter; they had the kind of sound that any music fan would enjoy. - Consequence of Sound
Two Lights, upon first glance, is just another trio of (rather) cute boys who play music that makes many girls swoon. However, if you give them a second glance - and a listen - you’ll realize that the catchy pop songs crafted by these NYU students have the magical power to obliterate wintery thoughts - something a helluva lot of people desperately need in December. The band started in Maine with two brothers, Abner and Harper Willis and their childhood friend Ryan Gross, as the three musicians played songs about high school, love and growing older. The band then ended up at NYU and released their first single “Summer” in September 2011. Since then, they have added a drummer, Benny Brown, as well as garnered praise for their tracks on Consequence of Sound, Verbicide Magazine and CMJ.
Their bittersweet, sugary indie pop songs tie the future of careers and relationships with the past of high school and teen angst. Their debut EP will be released in early 2012 followed by a series of U.S. tour dates. - Amanda Dissinger - Deli Magazine
Discography
SINGLE: "Summer" (released 2011 on Triadic Records and published by Willis Recordings)
Radio Airplay (FM and Online):
WCLZ Portland; www.ynotradio.net; www.pacificfm.com; WRXP New York; Q104 New York (Jonathan Clarke Sundays); Indie103fm.com (Dennis The Menace); www.Mainefm.com
WBRU 95.5FM Providence; 91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh;
Photos
Bio
Twin lighthouses stand over Maine’s rocky coast, just south of Portland. Locals call the place Two Lights. Growing up in nearby Cape Elizabeth, brothers Abner and Harper Willis spent early years hanging out at Two Lights with friends, playing and writing songs. Years later, they regrouped in New York City to craft a new sound infused with catchy pop melodies, indie rock edge and American rock and roll. Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub, Ben Lee, and The Lemonheads are only a few references mentioned in early reviews of their New York shows. Two Lights initially formed in Fall 2010 when fellow Mainer Ryan Gross moved to New York and joined the brothers on bass, followed in 2011 by Philadelphia's Benny Brown on drums. Since, they have played at popular NYC venues such as the Mercury Lounge, the Studio at Webster Hall, Highline Ballroom, Rockwood Music Hall, the Bowery Electric and more. Two Lights has been featured in popular blogs like Brooklyn Vegan, The Deli Magazine, Consequence of Sound and more as well as had their music on AAA, college, and streaming radio stations across the country. The band recently completed their first east coast tour and will will release their debut EP "Years Get Gone" September 25, 2012. The first single, "We Were Young", is available on iTunes now.
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