band

Is it luck? Perhaps. Maybe it’s the research? Could be. We’re not really sure… but we here at PEV have been UNREAL lucky in interviewing talent just before HUGE state-side stardom. I specify state-side in this case, for out latest feature has already taken over the land down under, Australia.

It’s easy for me to relate to Little Beirut’s (Edwin Paroissien, Hamilton Sims, Alex Inman, John Hulcher) love for their city of Portland – I love and defend the city of Baltimore every chance I get. I however, cannot lay claim to a great twofold quote like they can about their town – super cool author Chuck Palahnuik used the words of local author Katherine Dunn to open his paean to Portland: “Everyone in Portland is living a minimum of three lives.” So simple, so mysterious.

I love the blend of Bird Call – the ultra-sophisticated, soothing tones of one Chiara Angelicola mixed in with music that ebbs and flows on a whim that’s dripping with style. Even on a scene as complex and as talented as NYC, Bird Call finds a way to stand out above the crowd.

Trust me – I know we make “kind of” a big deal when we feature bands and artists from the PEV backyard of Baltimore-Washington. We’re not playing favorites – we just really like it here! And while we’ve had our fair share of home-grown talent, our latest installment of XXQ’s comes from a band that’s REALLY native to the PEV home base; DC-minded rock outfit Hotspur.

I have these two good friends across the pond – Lance and Mark – they live in London, you see. Sometimes… I tell ya, I wish I had joined them over there (and there’s more to it than the obvious party we’d constantly be having). Seems like the United Kingdom has a music landscape to drool all over, and it’s no secret that PEV would relish the opportunity to the take the scene on a test drive.

You and What Army (YAWA) are having a damn good time taking their breed of sound to the street – about as much as fun as any band we’ve talked to (just read their answers below – the more they feed of one another, the more the party ensues). Fortunately, their music is pretty badass too; a complex assortment of sonic vibes that they can claim as completely original. Indeed, Zak, Kieran, Jamie and Dave are bound for big things, on both sides of the pond.

You’ve heard of JANUS – and if you haven’t, YOU WILL. These guys are already in the bloodstream of alternative rock music with a breed of sound that was in no way accidentally crafted. David Scotney (Vocals), Johnny Salazar (Drums), Alan Quitman (Bass) and Mike Tyranski (Guitar/Programming) have already broken through and once again PEV is lucky enough to talk with a band before they’re friggin’ worldwide huge.