WRINGS

WRINGS is an American alternative pop/rock band formed in Sacramento, California . Their music is a melancholic blend of alternative rock and electro-pop with influences ranging from Coldplay to Muse. They have opened for notable acts including Imagine Dragons, Capital Cities, The Neighbourhood, and AWOLNATION. The band just released a 6 song EP titled “Phases” and it has already started gaining attention. The Single “Before I Went Away” debuted on Sacramento’s longest running local music show 98 Rock’s (98.5) Local Licks. Check out the track Before I Went Away. - Kings Of A&R

Wrings is more than I thought, in many different ways. I found them first on Jango Radio, and a few days later, with their Phases EP freshly downloaded onto my iPod, went for a morning run. I found myself taking “wrong turns” and extra laps as I repeated and rewound song after song.

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Their YouTube channel only hosts five videos, but the first is a lyric video for their intro track, Before I Went Away. There is something about the singer’s voice that stood out among the random tracks of Jango “pop alternative”, and he again adds something indefinably special to this song of vibrant regret.

The second track maintains the edge of the first, but is led by a piano. In this ode to perfect moments. He sings “I wanna live inside this moment, and I hope it’s more than temporary“, in a heartfelt blur of acoustic and synthesized sounds. I was soon snapped out of the romance of it, though, with the line “We can’t be young here forever, for now, I like you when we’re together” which immediately caught me, given my affinity for tongue and cheek. Then it just got better.

I hate how much I like “My Hands“. It does an incredible job of blending not only genres but soundscapes, and, clocking in at only 2:52, pretty much demands a repeat or seven.

On the bottom of their Bandcamp (where you can state your own price and buy these six songs for way less than they are worth), they mention that the proceeds from this EP will go towards the full album, and whether or not it was meant to be that way, the next two songs in their simplicity left me wishing I had paid more towards it. They are both acoustic tracks, the first a pure love song, and the second, one that resonates more with my sarcastic side, and has just enough edge to make it beautifully sharp.



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I have had my share of buyer’s remorse over EP’s that featured a couple of good songs, but beyond that had nothing but songs that were similar, less developed, and pitifully mundane. Wrings will never be accused of pigeon-holing their sound based on this EP, and it would be painfully difficult to place them in a single genre. In my humble opinion, they deserve every dollar and more from the sales, and further, through this EP they have earned more than enough trust that it will go to good use in a full album.



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Be sure to check Wrings out on their Bandcamp, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. - The Last City For Miles

Wrings is an American alternative pop/rock band formed in Sacramento, California in 2011. The band comprises vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Zack Gray, lead guitarist Sean Stack, and drummer Brandon Lee.

Wrings’ music is a melancholic blend of alternative rock and electro-pop. With influences ranging from Coldplay, Radiohead, The Killers, U2, Muse, and Justin Timberlake Gray’s lyrics convey the darker sides of relationships while still maintaining a “silver lining” positive message.

LISTEN: Phases EP

Arjan Writes of Grammy.com describes the music as, “melancholic, atmospheric melodies and well-constructed soundscapes that are bursting with veiled optimism.”

Wrings takes melodic pop music to a new level with their new EP Phases. While primarily being a spirited pop band, Wrings leaves room to create simple and straightforward love songs, such as “If it Wasn’t for You and Me.” Grey gives us powerful and unique vocals while Stack and Lee deliver dancy and energetic instrumentals, with their first single “Before I Went Away.” - Stereo Subversion

Wrings’ new Phases EP is the ultimate dose of melancholia, just in time for gloomy winter blues. Somewhat nostalgic, Phases is the band’s second EP, a follow up to the 2012 Say It EP.

Replacing the electronic sound from Say It with a more acoustic style, Wrings’ sound is reminiscent of the early days of Coldplay and Muse. It’s mainstream and could eventually get them lots of attention.

This EP is short but sweet, and the musicians show obvious talent as they provide a juxtaposition of acoustic, classic, and electronic sounds. Tracks like “Before I Went Away,” demonstrate heavy emotion, while “My Hands,” holds a faster pace, giving it a spot as the album’s stand out track. To be honest, it’s refreshing to hear something a little more optimistic. The song is about getting the person you want, so it is still rather emotional due to all the mushiness and talk of unrequited love. Still, the break down is a satisfying mix of finger-snapping and electronic bass. The track suggests an influence of Muse on the band’s sound.

The last two tracks on the album are acoustic, with “If It Wasn’t For You and Me” showing strong influence from folk. The track is about romance, and it happens to be cliché and cute. But that’s what the album is. As cute as it is, in a full length album, I’d love to see Wrings explore a more dynamic collection of themes and explore that clear talent.

Yet, this album is a promising start. It presents an underlying tone of loneliness, unrequited love, and struggle. Soft lead vocals and a classic style of piano is an essential part of the music, as it adds emphasis to the band’s melancholy style. It’s safe to say that this isn’t the last of what we’ll be hearing from Wrings.



Read more: http://www.infectiousmagazine.com/album-review-wrings-phases-ep/#ixzz37IHUFi8f - Infectious Magazine

It has been a while since I have done a full review of and EP/LP. That is about to change, What started as a single song post turned into an album review– and you can thank Wrings for that.

Lets start off with the basics… Wrings is an alternative pop/rock band from Sacramento, California. It comprises vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Zack Gray, lead guitarist Sean Stack, and drummer Brandon Lee. Together, they make a melancholic blend of indie rock and electro-pop. The trio has a new EP out called Phases and they sent us over a copy to check out.

After listening to the first few songs of the EP, I was definitely digging these guys vibe –it was cool how their songs brought on a musical feeling of nostalgia. Another thing you will notice about this EP is the melodic electro-acoustic instruments/elements that graced all the tracks–from digital to acoustic, they sounded pretty smooth when mixed with their organic, electronic beats.

When it comes to individual tracks, my favorite track was the first one, “Before I Went Away” –that one did it for me. With sing-a-long melodies, pure delicious electro-pop beats and all the other necessary pop music requirements, I found my self humming the song within a minute.

If you think that Wrings ends with dance beats and poppy synths, you are wrong. When you strip away the electronic instruments and beats, you get great, genuine songwriting. “If It Wasn’t For You and Me” and “I Am Free Now” is a perfect example of that, they are intimate tracks that expose Mr Gray’s voice as well as the dark, but positive lyrics about life.

What are you waiting for?!?! Stream Phases below and make sure to pick up the EP from your favorite music retailer. If you like this as much as I do, sound off in the comments.

enjoY! - BOOM BOOM CHIK

Out of Sacramento, Wrings have only been together for just over a year. However, they've already been on the road with the likes of The Neighbourhood and AWOLNATION in that time. The band recently released a new EP, Phases, and we're excited to stream a track from it - "Before I Went Away." Head to their AP.net Profile or the replies to hear it. - Absolute Punk

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Press Release on Photos page - Raw Artists

Wrings, www.facebook.com/wrings - Sacramento News And Review

WRINGS (Formerly known as Early States)
The group formerly known as Early States is no stranger to the local music scene. They have been talked about in SN&R and featured in Submerge Magazine. WRINGS stands alone from other bands with their mash ups of electro pop and synthesized indie-rock. Connect with WRINGS on Facebook to get a sneak peak at the bands tunes and touring news. - Downtown Sacramento Partnership