Pop Archives - WMD Studios

Sleep Star Ignition

May 26, 2015 by Amanda Gegg Leave a Comment

It’s quite a rare thing to be impressed by a band as quickly as I was by Sleep Star Ignition…

Obviously the main reason for this is their immediately infectious modern take on ‘punk meets post-hardcore’ in their new EP Matters of Heart and the Will to Burn, lead by the diverse range of vocalist Nick Villars. But when you look a little bit closer you can see that their whole ‘get up’ is impressively put together, ranging all the way from their energetic, alternative sound to the slick branding of their website and album cover. These guys are pretty much rock stars on their own terms already and it is just a question of time before the rest of the world sits up to take note, which I have no doubt they will.

So who exactly are the people that make up this four-piece Ohio-based ensemble? Alongside the previously mentioned Nick Villars, there is Bob Tallman on guitar, Zach Madden on bass and Zach Bender on the drums. Moreover, having only formed in early 2013 with the will to spread their profound message through heartfelt lyrics and upbeat melodies, it is hard to believe that they haven’t been together for longer. The chemistry is very obviously in the right time and the right place for these guys.

Their latest EP Matters Of Heart And The Will To Burn is made up of five songs. With first track ‘Lunar Transmission’ immediately alluding to a sound similar to predecessors such as You Me at Six by jumping in the deep end with a more pensive, intense sound that really hooks you in. In the next two songs ‘The Forge’ and ‘Boardwalk’, Nick Villars proves why his vocals are perfect for this genre of music and immediately throws in some impressive and diverse range, with the perfect amount of harmony mixed in.

With the last two tracks ‘Gone Home’ and ‘The Beauty and the Doubt’, we are strongly reminded of the bands main influencers which would definitely include Taking Back Sunday and Brand New and seeing as there now appears to be a gap in the market, it would seem it is the perfect time for Sleep Star Ignition to act. And as I said earlier, they are pretty much there already with the word spreading as we speak. I know I certainly can’t wait to hear the next EP.

Check out more from Sleep Star Ignition:

Official Website – sleepstarignition.com/
Facebook – www.facebook.com/SleepStarIgnition
SoundCloud – soundcloud.com/sleep-star-ignition

Call me when you’re famous

April 10, 2015 by Casey Douglas Leave a Comment

“I won’t waste my time on you…” is a key lyric from Call Me When You’re Famous’ song Dirty Little Secrets. One thing you should spend your time on is letting your ears sup on their punchy hook-laden sound.

Dirty Little Secrets is the first single from the band’s Organised Chaos EP and I think it’s a promising taste of the kind of music they are capable of producing. The band has a crisp and large sound with that punchy pop punk flavour that worms into your ear and forces your mind to repeat little tidbits of lyric over and over, particularly the chorus. The vocals are strong enough to easily ride above the high-tempo accompanying music, the other instruments distinct yet all coming together with a seemingly casual ease. I’m not a great fan of punk bands that mash everything together into a cacophony. Call Me When You’re Famous are safe from my scorn in this respect.

I always think that it’s nice when a punk band looks like they’re enjoying what they’re doing, rather than swimming in a sea of angst. Call Me When You’re Famous’ Dirty Little Secrets video certainly looks like they had fun making it. They put a call out to any fans who wanted to join them, provided free beer and made excellent use of a bouncy castle…what more could anyone want?

The six-piece band from Leeds has created a fast-paced song with easy to listen to lyrics and a style that would easily complement any activity taking place in the summer sun, be it driving, bike riding or…bouncing around on an inflatable castle in someone’s back garden.

Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with what they are up to and where they are playing next. They interact with fans regularly so they should be applauded for this.

Brook Jazz Lawrence – Watch This Space

March 26, 2015 by Amanda Gegg Leave a Comment

At the tender age of just twenty years old, it is safe to say that Brook Jazz Lawrence’s star is definitely rising…

…especially with the impending release of her first single ‘Feel the Fire’. Of course, she’s not the first young star attempting to share her music with the world, nor will she be the last. So what exactly is it that makes Brook and her breakthrough single stand out from the crowd?
Firstly, the stand out factor for me is that, having been born and bred into the world of music at an incredibly young age, Brook actually writes her own music. With the world of pop in the state that it is in this day and age this is something of rarity, not to mention incredibly refreshing. She also happens to play the piano and the guitar so fans of her music can definitely expect to hear some unique all-encompassing hits in the next few years.

The single itself ‘Feel the Fire’ displays a level of production which transcends really nicely to the pop music of this day and age, especially combined with Brook’s ‘soul meets pop’ style of vocal. At the same time, it is also actually very reminiscent of American 00s pop that Brook might have grown up listening to such as Michelle Branch and Ashlee Simpson. This atmospheric heartfelt style of pop music has noticeably made a departure from the scene in recent years to make way for more band ensembles and soulful solo singers. However, it can definitely be argued that there is room for a comeback. It certainly hasn’t gotten any less catchy that’s for sure. And if anyone is going to be the one to reintroduce it, I can certainly see Brook Lawrence leading the way.