thePULSEBands and solo artist that you may not have heard of yet…but whom we think are going to make a name for themselves real soon~ and you get to hear about them here, right before they make it big.
BAND
Breaking Strings
By Suzy Geers
Talk about a great band name: Breaking Strings!! Doesn’t it just make you want to smash and shred guitars?!?
Formed in early 2004 when jack-of-all- trades guitarist, bassist, and producer Sean McLaughlin met vocalist extraordinaire Devon Farina at a mutual friend’s poker game. Originally named “Audiophile,” the two-piece produced over FIFTY tracks throughout the next two years, eventually changing their name to Breaking Strings.
Performing five days a week as an acoustic duo around Worcester venues including Irish Times, Funky Murphy’s, Ralph’s and The Lucky Dog (plus a good number of Boston bars/clubs), the two saw an ever-expanding fan base. McLaughlin and Farina then decided to assemble a full ensemble in 2006 to perform the endless, rich variety of studio tracks: “We decided to pick similar tracks with a familiar and consistent sound for our full ensemble.” The fully loaded band features the musicianship of Chris Urban on bass, Konrad on rhythm guitar, and Matt Ellis joining in on drums.
Breaking Strings sound falls somewhere in the early/mid 90s rock /grunge vein with a modern twist. “Some compare us with Pearl Jam, Candlebox, Toadies , and Corrosion of Conformity,” offers McLaughlin. “…Our influences vary between pretty much all genres and styles…everyone involved in breaking strings is experienced in various styles.”
Breaking Strings is a very earnest, honest, and lyric driven band. Some of the highlights from the new collection: “Not Me,” a powerful tune written in 2006 about Devon Farinas brother who was fighting in Iraq, “Smoke,” one of the band’s oldest songs rewritten, reworked over ten times is an ardent, bass infused anthem- a truth serum of the constant uphill battle of life as a musician and the problems that occur between band mates, and McLaughlin’s favorite- the guitar heavy, melodic, catchy, “Down.”
So, it’s a night out you crave? McLaughlin proudly declares, “A Breaking Strings show is always a good time whether it’s an acoustic set with Sean and Devon or the full ensemble. The acoustic shows can tend to get a little out of hand between the heavy drinking and high energy of the crowd!”
Check out breakingstrings.net and myspace.com/BreaKinGsTrinGsMusic to listen to (and of course purchase {Support your musicians! Buy locally!} a slew of new songs and to find out where you can next experience a Breaking Strings show for yourself!
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BAND
Ariband
By Timothy Harrington
After a phone interview with singer/songwriter Ari Charbonneau, the word that immediately comes to mind is “candid.” Born in Worcester and raised in Northboro, this up-and-comer from Massachusetts cares about one thing, only: her art. While her lyrics are sometimes shocking (i.e. her new single “Shut the F*** Up and Dance”), she writes for the art, not shock value: “I try to give them something fresh” Charbonneau casually remarked between singing some of her lines through the telephone to show me what she meant, “I like to take risks.”
Heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, Neil Young and the Velvet Underground, Ari achieves a timelessly moody and lyrical Psychedelic/Folk/Rock sound that can be identified and enjoyed by a wide range of audience. When commenting on what influences her, Charbonneau added “anything with that old-timey blues vibe… anything that makes me remember that I’m alive and in love with music.”
Charbonneau has been polishing her act for a long time. Though born in 1980, she remarked in a text message: “Never ask a lady her age… my stage age is eternal 27.” She has been a singer/songwriter since she was 15: “When my brother taught me a few chords, the first thing I did was write a song.” When asked how she knew music was for her, she replied, “I looked up into the sky… and I wanted to believe it.”
Since those early days, Charbonneau has played in a duo and as a solo artist all over the country. In the year 2000, Ari moved to Boston to become a fulltime musician. On bare feet, she serenaded the streets of Harvard Square and Quincy Market. She held a weekly residency at Boston’s famous music venue, The Middle East, and has played Club Passim, TT the Bears and many other rooms and ‘T’ Stations around the city.
Now, back in Worcester with a full band called Ariband, Charbonneau continues her growing acclaim. Her new band includes Vincent Cirigliano on drums, Aaron Bellamy “grooving” on the bass, Mike Charbonneau, Ari’s brother, playing expressive, ambient electric guitar lines and Ari in front with rhythmic acoustic guitar, screaming harmonica and soulful vocals. The band anxiously awaits the release of their to-be-named album this fall (www.myspace.com/ariband). In addition to the new album, be sure to check out Ariband’s single “Light Parade,” featured in the independent film entitled “How I Got Lost,” written and directed by Joe Leonard (www.howigotlost.com). The film was played at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC Fri, July 10th.
Between the movie, the album, and the enthusiasm of this artist, the sky truly seems the limit for Ariband. Stay tuned.
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SOLO
Katrin Roush’s Soul Wide Open
By Jillian Locke
The last time I caught up with Katrin Roush, the Central MA native was already well into her singer/songwriter career, playing regularly all around New England since 1993. That was back in 2006, and a lot has changed since then.
“In the past three years, life has changed drastically, and I think my music really reflects that,” Roush says. “I had a hard time with change, and life presented me with situations where I had no choice but to be OK with the changes that were happening.”
This sentiment runs rampant throughout Soul Wide Open, Roush’s latest creation. As the album’s second track, “One Year’s Time,” begins with “In one year’s time/I’ve been through changes I thought that I could never bear…I put one wheel in front of the other/It’s just one dream that follows another,” Roush’s gentle strumming and ethereal guitar work deliver her personal message; this time not only is her music soulful, but the lyrics are as much from the soul as they come.
“This CD is probably the most personal, autobiographical music I’ve ever written ~ I really put myself out there…and it was really scary,” Roush confesses. “It took me two years to finish and release it because of so many different life experiences that kept presenting themselves to me. I had to stop and wait to be inspired. During that period, I was learning and felt compelled to write about it, like I was writing my diary in some ways.”
Roush’s emotions triggered by those experiences are best expressed in the third track, entitled “Your Song,” in which Katrin attests: “You have to dance with your demons and make them your friends.” And danced she has. “I’m coming from a place where I just really wanted to do this…I’m at a place where I’m not worrying about peoples opinions anymore.”
And with the help of studio engineer/Hammond Organist Thomas Eaton, electric guitarist/producer Scott Tarulli, drummer/percussionist Mike Casano, and bassists Jim Lamond, Jen Oberle, Jordan Scannella, and Jesse Bastos, Roush was able to give her new experiences and creative vision a voice. “Working with all these different musicians on the CD has been a real treat. Scott Tarulli was in the studio with me for almost every session, and we combed through everything and got really creative together.”
Soul Wide Open is a true testament to strength, unconditional love, and gratitude, all sewn together and connected by the power of soul and rock. For more info on Katrin, Soul Wide Open, and her CD release party, head to www.katrinrocks.com and www.myspace.com/katrinrocks.
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BAND
The Chicken Slacks
By Kara Olson
Funk is back…but the Chicken Slacks beg the question, “Did it ever really leave?”
You know when a song comes on the radio, one that you haven’t heard in forever, but when you hear it you immediately shout, “I love this song!” and you can’t stop dancing until the last note plays? These songs, at least for me, always seem to be in the classic funk and R&B genre, a la Stevie Wonder or the Temptations. This music has real heart and soul, something that seems to be lost in the days of one-hit-wonders and manufactured teen sensations.
However, we are all in luck because The Chicken Slacks are working hard to keep the funk alive. These seven soul men have made it their mission to “Fill that hole in your soul” and “Put that beat in your feet.” The Chicken Slacks, the name a play on words from a classic Sam Cooke song, take pride in carrying on the music scene that has made so many legends like James Brown and Otis Redding.
Their album Can You Dig It? is jam-packed with songs that will make you reach for the repeat button on your stereo. When you listen to this album, be sure to clear your schedule because you will not be able to stop moving until the last 43rd minute has played. And if that isn’t good enough, their live performances include classics like “My Girl” and “I Feel Good,” sounds that will warm even the most stone-cold of hearts and get those hearts beating fast.
The Chicken Slacks have begun making their name in Central MA and Spencer native and band leader Justin “Pops’ Berthiaume” is ready for the band to become a regular on the Worcester music scene. It’ll be a match made in funk heaven. “I think a lot of people tend to give up on the area, but I’ve always had an eternal belief in Worcester and what it’s capable of.”
The Chicken Slacks are back by popular demand playing Ralph’s on August 28, so come get funkified!
www.chickenslacks.com
www.myspace.com/chickenslacks
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BAND
Levity
By Tom Godfrey
You would be hard pressed to find a band that fits their name so well…or vice versa. Levity, fronted by Branden Monfreda (answering to Sal) on vox, Joseph Lunt on guitar, Dale Diaz on bass, and William White on drums, has been rocking crowds for the past six months.
“The word basically means to take a serious matter and be able to deal with it with humor, to roll with the punches,” explains Sal as he takes slug of an energy drink, “which is what we try to do.” Indeed, the band certainly has a sense of humor; hell, Sal gives at least two joke answers for every true answer to a question.
Make no mistake, for a bunch of nice guys, Levity is a band of serious rockers. Their music, full of brain melting riffs and some serious screaming, brings the sort of furious energy that will have heads smashing in the pit. With influences ranging from Mudvayne to Tool to Animal from Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (read: The Muppets) to cellist Giovanni Sollima, they are very hesitant to put a label on their music. The question alone brings up a debate as to the very definition of a metal band.
“We’re sort of a mix between hard rock and experimental,” Lunt struggles.
“We are what we are,” says Sal.
Whatever they are, Levity has some serious talent.
Regardless of the band’s age as a group and individually (the oldest member is 20), they have ambitions for Levity.
“I would love to play in front of a big crowd,” says White.
“And for people to not think we suck,” adds Lunt. “Really, it would be nice to do this for a living and break even.”
“This is a great way for us to get to play with our idols and get to meet these people without looking creepy,” adds Diaz.
“To take over the world,” says Sal straight faced.
Levity is already more than a face in the hard rock scene. On August 15, the band will play with dynamic legends Kings X at Mill Street Brews in Southbridge. With a self-titled 7 song LP recorded at GrooveDog Recording Studios in Rutland very near completion, Levity seems primed and ready to rock beyond the county limits.
Find more info about Levity at www.myspace.com/centralmasslevity.com
Editor’s note: As we were about to go to press, Levity announced that they are now seeking a new bass player. Currently filling in is Brendan Meyers. If you are interested in auditioning for the band, hit them up on their MySpace.
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