Band of the Week: Picture Atlantic

Band of the Week

Picture Atlantic

Picture Atlantic: Nikolaus Bartunek – Vocals/Guitar, Brian Graves – Keyboards, Ryan Blair – Bass, Daniel Martinez -Drums

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Genre: Alternative/Indie/Rock

Label: N/A

As they take the stage to perform you get an immediate sense that you are about to witness a performance by a very special band. That is exactly what Picture Atlantic is…very special. Nikolaus Bartunek, Brian Graves, Ryan Blair, and Daniel Martinez command the stage with their powerful and gritty indie music. With an air and classy style reminiscent of The Beatles and powerful stage presence that would make any hardcore band proud, Picture Atlantic is embarking to become a huge success. I had the pleasure to sit down with lead singer Nik Bartunek after their recent performance at Live 105 BFD.

Joey: Hey Nik how you doing? First off, I have to tell you it’s been awhile that a band has excited me so much like you guys! Watching you play and listening to your music, you know big things are in the making.

Nik: Things have been good for us. Been busy with the band, naturally, but otherwise keeping busy. Thank you for the kind words. It’s always nice to hear we excite people. Makes me feel we are doing something right.

Joey: So you guys have been having a lot of fun playing lots of shows? You also were part of an amazing lineup at Live 105’s BFD. You guys killed the Soundcheck Stage. How was it playing at BFD? [Read more...]

Band of the Week: Dom Liberati

Band of the Week

Dom Liberati

Artist: Dom Liberati

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Genre: Rock/Singer/Songwriter

Label: Live & Loud Productions

I’ve had the great pleasure to have known singer songwriter Dom Liberati for a couple years now and it’s wonderful to see amazing experiences and journeys taking place in his life all due to his music. 2013 has setup to be a tremendous year for Liberati as he has been touring feverishly spreading the goodness that is his rock music. I was able to sit him down in between tours to talk about touring, Japan, tattoos and what else his fans could expecting 2013. I’m happy to present to you Dom Liberati the Joey Voodoo Band of the Week.

Joey: Hey Dom! How you doing my friend?!

Dom: Hey Joey! I’m doing great today, though I’ve been pretty sick the past week or so. Just my body finally manifesting what I’ve put it through the past few weeks. I’ve been training for a half-marathon on top of cranking out a bunch of new tunes for some different TV networks. Not a whole lot of sleep involved, which is a huge personal problem. I’m working on it haha.

Joey: Let’s get right to it. You have had a very busy 2013 so far. Touring, working on new music, traveling to Japan. It’s been an exciting year for you? [Read more...]

Band of the Week: Curious Quail

Band of the Week

Band of the Week Curious Quail

Curious Quail: Mike Shirley-Donnelly – Vocals/Guitar/Keys, Sean Nolen – Guitar/Vocals, Joey Guthrie – Drums/Glockenspiel, Alan Chen – Violin, Gregory Keeney – Keys/Accordion/Harmonica, Erin Keely – Bass/Vocals

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Genre: Indie Rock/Alternative

Label: Monster Music Prizefighters

We have a new feature on Joey Voodoo and that is our Band of the Week. Every week we will spotlight a band with an interview. To kick things off we introduce you to Curious Quail from San Jose, CA. I had the pleasure to see the Quails in action at Live 105′s BFD earlier this month. They were selected to kick off the Soundcheck Stage and they did that and more. Curious Quail brings a very dynamic energy to the stage that is balanced out by many moving parts. The band is garnering lots of attention by media and with awards. I had the opportunity to meet up with founding member and lead singer Mike Shirley-Donnelly and talk about BFD and the makeup of Curious Quail.

Joey: Curious Quail what’s happening?! Thanks for hanging out?

Mike: Thanks for having us, man! This is super awesome!

Joey: So big congrats for playing Live 105’ BFD this year. You guys were selected to be part of one of the best lineups I’ve ever seen for the Sound Check Stage. How was that experience? [Read more...]

Music Artist of the Week: A Rocket to the Moon

Music Artist of the Week

Featured Music Artist A Rocket to the Moon Interview

A Rocket to the Moon: Nick Santino, Justin Richards, Eric Halvorsen, Andrew Cook

Hometown: Braintree, MA

Genre: Pop/Rock

Label: Fueled By Ramen

Off the heels of their recently released hit album ‘Wild & Free’ and the release of their music video “Ever Enough”… I had the pleasure to interview Nick Santino lead singer of one of the hottest bands in the country, A Rocket to the Moon. This pop/rock band from Massachusetts delivers an infectious sound that captures you instantly. With their new album ‘Wild & Free’ the band blends in so well their love of country music which baits you in quickly delivering a refreshing sound that keeps you enamored and wanting more. Pick up your copy of ‘Wild & Free’ HERE!

Joey: Nick thank you so much for hanging out it’ such a great pleasure.

Nick: Of course!

Joey: I gotta tell you ‘Wild & Free’ is one of the best albums I’ve listen to this year. The title says it all. It’s exactly how the music makes me feel. What was the approach and inspiration in creating this album? [Read more...]

Music Artist of the Week: Solwave

Solwave: Joe Collins – Lead Singer/Keyboards, Danny Ferdon – Bass/Backing Vocals, Tommy Ferdon – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals, Moise Seri – Drums/Percussion

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Genre: Rock

Label: N/A

The first time I heard Solwave I thought to myself these rockers have some serious soul. Their music is lively and quickly energizes you to get up and dance. With a style reminiscent to the Killers and the Muse, Solwave is making their mark with a well crafted blend of  pop, funk, rock and electronica that will captivate you immediately. This San Francisco band is definitely on the right path to success. I had the pleasure to sit down with the gang and talk about some exciting things on the horizon.

Joey: Hey fellas thanks for hanging out! Quickly introduce yourselves and tell us where you’re from?

Tommy: We’re Solwave, a young strapping rock n’ roll band from the City and County of San Francisco, Joe, Danny, and I all born and raised in SF baby. Moise came to SF from the Ivory Coast, West Africa when he was ten, but is an honorary City boy.

Joey: The past six months have been really good to you guys. Your music, Out of Mayhem EP, is being extremely well received and your playing shows up and down California. Did you expect for things to take off so quickly? [Read more...]

Music Artist of the Week: Thirstbusters

Thirstbusters: Ryan Thomas – Guitar, Zach Sorgen – Vocals/Keys, Chase Jackson – Bass, Forrest Mitchell – Drums

Hometown: Berkeley, CA

Genre: Pop Rock/Jazzy Flavorings

Label: N/A

When I first heard the music of the Thirstbusters I was immediately captured by their pop rock jazz fusion style. They create music well beyond their years. The melodies, harmonies, vocals was a complete package of something special in the making. Besides being the editor  here at Joey Voodoo, I’m also the booking manager for the Surf Spot Restaurant and Music Venue and I needed to book these guys for our venue ASAP. It was exciting to catch up with them and see what they were up to.

Joey: What’ happening fellas, thanks so much for your time! Tell us where you’re from and how the band came together?

Thirstbusters: Hey Joey, thanks for featuring us on your site! We’re all up at our singer’s house in Berkeley, chillin’ and doing some songwriting together. So, Chase, Forrest and Zach (bass, drums, vocals/keys) started playing music together way back in elementary school. We met Ryan at Berkeley High School where we all played in the Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble. Our band got its start when the four of us would stay after band to jam on pop/rock covers and originals. We had so much fun, we decided to form a band and have been together ever since.

Joey: What’s the story behind the band name?

TB: The band name really originated as a joke.  Our high school had the slang term, “Thirsty,” which meant that something was uncool or bad, basically a synonym for “wack”. We were submitting our band to a local battle of the bands contest and obviously needed a band name in order to compete. As a joke from a friend, we went with the suggestion of “The Thirstbusters” and it stuck ever since.

Joey: You guys have a jazzy feel to your music which blends so well with your pop style. Who are your musical influences?

TB: Our musical influences are super varied.  It includes pop/rock super-groups such as U2, Coldplay, Radiohead and of course The Beatles. Our influences also include up-and-coming indie songwriters like Bon Iver, Tallest Man on Earth, and James Blake.  Our jazz influence has come somewhat naturally through our experience playing jazz together in high school and college, but usually we aren’t fully conscious of how our roots influence our current sound.

Joey: What three words best describes your music?

TB: Honest, Polished, Up-Beat.

Joey: Congratulations are in order as you just released a new album Caught Between. Tell us more about the album and what can fans expect to hear?

TB: The music ranges from hard rock to funky RnB to chill acoustic. Incorporating instrumental solos as well as delicate arrangements for strings, horns, and a gospel choir, “Caught Between” expresses musical, lyrical, and conceptual sensitivity. The songs are catchy and relatable, like the title track of “Caught Between,” which reflects something we all go through. For us, it’s about our personal passage through college, a time-tested transition from childhood to adulthood. Each song shows a different side of our experience, from philosophical self-discovery to light-hearted party anthems. This driving concept is also present on the album cover, in which each band member appears multiple times, caught between different sides of themselves.

Joey: What two bands would be part of your dream tour?

TB: Damn, tough call! Most likely, Dave Matthews Band and Coldplay. Dave Matthews Band because we all admire their musicianship and sheer tightness as a band.  Coldplay because they’re one of our primary influences as songwriters and because of their skill as incredible performers.

Joey: What’s on the agenda for summer and the remainder of the year?

TB: We have a number of upcoming summer shows throughout the greater Bay Area promoting our new album and music, all of which we’re super excited for. We’re also planning on doing two music videos from songs on “Caught Between.” In addition, even though we just finished our last album, we’ve just begun work on our next album and are planning on doing tons of songwriting this summer!

Joey: Fellas thanks again! Any final words or shout outs?

TB: Looking forward to the show at The Surf Spot and thanks so much for the interview Joey!!

LINKS

Official Thirstbusters

Thirstbusters Facebook

Thirstbusters Twitter

Thirstbusters iTunes

Thirstbusters Bandcamp

Music Artist of the Week: Straight Line Stitch

Straight Line Stitch: Alexis Brown – Vocals, Jason White – Bass, Ian Shuirr – Drums, Kris Hawkins – Guitar

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Genre: Metal/Rock

Label: N/A

Captivating, impassioned, authentic are just a few adjectives that have been used to describe Straight Line Stitch, the Joey Voodoo Music Artist of the Week. Vocalist Alexis Brown leads the charge with her melodic voice and passionate commanding screams. Through the years SLS has found their identity as musicians, one that is true to their rock and metal roots, and with that have continuosly  built a legion of fans. I had the pleasure to quickly catch up with Alexis during their tour stop in San Francisco.

Joey: Hey Alexis! Thanks for hanging out…totally stoked. So I’ve caught you while on tour. How’s the tour been treating you so far?

SLS: Tour has been going really good, we’re all a little exhausted but things have been good.

Joey: Any crazy stories or incidents? [Read more...]

Music Artist of the Week: Naive Thieves

Naive Thieves: Levi Audette, Jaron Eldon, Kyle Garcia, and Cameron Thorne

Hometown: Southern California

Genre: Indie/Rock/Surf

Label: N/A

The retro sounds of the Naive Thieves are infectious and easily captures your attention and takes you back to an era of surf, pop classics. Their image and look is suave and cool and combined with their music will make a fan at of you in an instant. The Naive Thieves are the Joey Voodoo Music Artist of the Week.

Joey: What’s up fellas. Tell us how long you been together and how the name Naive Thieves came about?

Naive Thieves: We’ve been playing together now for…… 2 years?

Joey: Your music has a surf rock indie feel to me with captivating vocals and feel good melodies…love it. How would you best describe your music? [Read more...]

Music Artist of the Week: New Diplomat

New Diplomat: Horacio – Vocals, Jef – Drums, Paolo – Guitar, Giovanni – Synths/Electronics, Nate – Bass

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Genre: Alternative/Rock/Indie/Electronic

Label: N/A

With only a year under their belt San Francisco’s New Diplomat have caused quite a stir with their electrifying musical blend of multiple influences. On a fast pace rise since the release of their debut EP Buy Yourself Some Freedom, New Diplomat have enjoyed sold out shows, festival appearances such as Noise Pop 2012, SXSW 2012 and BFD 2012. It’s with pleasure to introduce our Music Artist of the Week…New Diplomat!

Joey: How did you guys get together to form New Diplomat. I love the fact that there’s such a diverse culture and background in the group.

New Diplomat: When we started the band we didn’t have an ultra specific idea of the sound we wanted to go for. We all brought our different musical backgrounds to the table, did our thing and New Diplomat is a direct consequence of that. I don’t think we could have a better drummer, singer and so on. We were fans of each other and wanted to be in the same band. The fact that we are from all over the planet…that was pure coincidence, but it does make a good story, I guess.. haha

Joey: You debut EP “Buy Yourself Some Freedom” is a hit…love it! Who does the song writing and what was the inspiration behind the songs? [Read more...]

Music Artist of the Week: Hearts Under Fire

Hearts Under Fire: Lexi Clark – Drums, Nicky Day – Rhythm Guitar, Kat Upton – Lead Guitar, Mary O’Regan – Bass/Vocals
Hometown: Surrey, UK
Genre: Punk/Rock
Label: N/A
Hearts Under Fire is a four-piece all girls rock band that we featured once before with the Song of the Day. These girls from Surrey, UK don’t hold back with their uptempo flavored melodies and passionate and energized vocals. Currently HUF is anxiously (as we all are) waiting for the release of their new EP We’ve Come Too Far To Live In The Past on June 1st. For now…it’s a pleasure to bring to you Hearts Under Fire, our Music Artist of the Week.
Joey: Hearts Under Fire! For all your new fans here in the US why don’t you introduce yourselves, tell us where you’re from and how long you been together?
HUF: The current line up of Lexi, Nicky, Kat and Mary has been together for just over a year. But there has been a Hearts Under Fire for about 7 years. We’ve had quite a few line-up changes over the years, but we think this one is the winning combination.
Joey: Your music has been described as melodic punk rock, but you call it rock. What three words best describes your music? [Read more...]
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