thePULSEBands and solo artists that you may not have heard of yet…but whom we think are going to make a name for themselves really soon ~and you get to hear about them here, right before they make it big!
Torbin Harding and Lo-Z Records
By Tom Godfrey
For most of us, music is a weekend hobby; for Torbin Harding, music is life. A successful musician himself, Harding has found time to create his own record company called Lo-Z records.
Harding began playing guitar at an early age. He studied music at the Hartt School of Music and eventually found his way to Berklee College of Music. By the time he graduated, he had already toured with The Tribulations and had been featured in Rolling Stone as a “cutting edge musician.”
“This is when I started sampling and studying synthesizers,” Harding says.
Harding went on to play with the reggae band Hot Like Fire and create his own band called The Secret. After graduation, Harding found himself in Ireland.
“I toured all of Ireland,” Harding says as he sips his coffee. “I played traditional music.”
No, there are no synths in traditional Irish music. Harding is extremely talented when it comes to mastering instruments; to name a few, he plays ukulele, mandolin, bass and drums, but the list goes on.
Since his return, he has had regular gigs in Barbados and has released three albums with another, Hey Baby, due out this month.
You can’t mention Harding without mentioning Lo-Z Records. Since its inception in 1996, the company has produced Harding’s own albums and projects as well as those of poets, hip hop artists, reggae bands and more. Harding, a champion of musical diversity, admits that it’s hard work.
“Basically every morning I wake up and go to my fulltime job at Bose,” says Harding, “and when I get out I go to my second fulltime job at my record label. I work 40 hours a week at both of my jobs.”
Harding juggles a lot, but it’s what gives him an edge over competitors. Simply put, Lo-Z Records is a musicians’ record company.
Harding only works with people he wants to, and he releases only what he wants.
“I’m not in this for the money,” says Harding, “People approach me and ask to work with me, but if it isn’t a fit then I say so. On the other hand, if I like what someone does, it can really go far beyond.”
For more info on Harding, his music, Lo-Z and its clients (including Mathew M.K. Hopewell), head to lo-zrecords.com.
UP AND COMERS GRADUATE-CD
The Franks
By Suzy Geers
What do you get when you mix, mash, and mesh heavy influences of funk, rock, reggae, jazz, dub, and hip hop? The Franks, that’s what ~ a working class four piece that consists of Brian Chaffee (vox), Keith Clark (guitars), Mark Keane (bass), and Paul Chiasson (drums) that’s just rock –n- roll no matter how hard you try to pigeonhole it otherwise.
So, who is Frank? Brian Chafee explains, “There is NO actual Frank! People ask me that all of the time ~I wish there were a better story! We came up with a list of twenty names and that was the least offensive. We’re going for the unassuming: ‘Be frank with me, be honest.’ Also, Keith is huge Frank Zappa fan.” Zappa?! Looove it! THAT certainly explains the band’s grand schizo sound! (Please reference The Mothers of Invention’s We’re Only in It For the Money.)
In order to give you a feel ~ as we all know audio doesn’t accompany a print article (well, to most)…I offer this: The Police meets Red Hot Chili Peppers and produces one helluva hybrid!
Trying to get their music to as many people as possible, The Franks are set to release their new, self titled CD on Oct. 9th. Brian offers, “Our record is SO manic! We’re sending two different samplers out to a slew of radio stations. The first batch for WAAF and WFNX-esque stations features the harder hitting songs like the intense disc openers “Heavy Times,” and “Tiny Catch” and the tricked out anthem “I Can’t Believe.” Then, the “singer/ songwritery” vibe for The River and Radio 92.9 sampler brings “Drop the World” (and yes, that IS a steel drum!) and “Lifelong,” a tune that make the girls have googly-eyes and go, “OOOOH!” Artsy and a little bit creepy, “Call It Something” features a perfect vocal pairing with local band Red in My Head front woman Sarah Clark (who also ROCKS and happens to be Keith Clark’s wife).
What can we expect from The Franks on the live tip? ENERGY! Are you surprised?!
This band’s disc oozes unique velocities from the start ~ imagine its live set?!
“We keep you moving, and you will certainly experience many different emotions at a Franks show. We want you amped up! We want to make you think about it ~ maybe cry ~ and then end up bouncing!”
Bounce your way up to the bar and by your local band a beer ~ they have certainly earned it, frankly speaking.
October 9th brings The Franks’ CD release party with live performances by The Franks and their pals, the equally skilled and energetic Weight of Gravity, to Tammany Hall in Worcester.
WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!can’t wait to see them October 9th in worcester.
These guys rock! They played at big house party last year and were asked back for this years festivities! The Franks are so high energy and it feeds into the crowd. Never wanted the show to end! Such talented artists, MUST SEE SHOW!