Interstates debut record Run Run garnishes press from its hometown paper the LEO Weekly:
The influences vary on many of the songs, but most of the tracks start off with a stripped-down, slower melody that eventually builds into an explosive jam. “Open Your Ears” feels like a primer for the rest of the album, but doesn’t hinge too much on the electronic backbeats of many of the other songs. “Sudan” is ambient and earthy, with a euphoric, harmonious climax.
Things have been fairly quiet since State Bird got home from tour. But don’t let that fool you. They are working on perfecting their upcoming Cornerstone performance. We have had some new press come in for them from Alarm Magazine.
"Listening to State Bird ’s songwriting duo Coby Hartzler and Jared Riblet talk about their respective styles in the studio is like listening to the Odd Couple’s Oscar and Felix talk about the ideal cleanliness of an apartment."
We have a new feature on the Record Machine blog. At least once a month we will be featuring a new or rare MP3 from a band on the label or a band that we are friends with.
This first featured song is a new one from Interstates entitled “Welcome Insight”. Interstates has just released their debut album entitled Run Run. “Welcome Insight” was orignally released by Interstates on an old self - released out of print ep entitled The Arborist.
Liner Notes by Alex O’Nan:
“Welcome Insight was written during my early 20’s when I was really craving and seeking to find myself. Interstates guitarist Kyle, only a good friend at the time, and I were meeting for lunch on a regular basis and he was being very honest about unhealthy patterns he saw in my life. He challenged me to change and grow in many areas and at first I was hurt by his boldness and honesty, but after a few months we grew closer as friends and I began to truly enjoy those times. The song is one of a set of six I’ve come to call “The Arborist EP”. I call it that because of the tremendous growth I experienced in my life while I wrote them. Each song is set to 120 beats per minute and captures my thoughts and feelings while dealing with many different topic in my early 20’s. This is the first of those songs I’ve added live drums to.”
Enjoy the mp3 and please feel free to reblog and send to your friends. Next months mp3 will be from Cheyenne.
Interstates had a really great first tour. As you may know, they just returned from touring the South, Texas, and the Midwest with their buddies in the band Foxhole.
From the second we met they were flashing photos on their iPhones and taking tons of videos on their flip video cameras. I told them to compile everything and give us a tour documentary.
Thankfully, they have taken it to heart, and here is the first video in the series:
State Bird executes musical feats that carry a high degree of difficulty for indie-rock bands. During Friday night’s show, the band incorporated heavy doses of funk (shimmering guitar, “Low Rider” percussion, falsetto vocals) and ended a tune with a drum circle (after bongos were surreptitiously placed next to the non-percussionist members).
Coby Hartzler and Jared Riblet pen gorgeous, slightly off-kilter pop anthems that tread ground that might be familiar to fans of Pavement or Modest Mouse, but perform them like 60s love children who were raised in a thrift store.
State Bird even recorded this acoustic video of I Saw The Light on a off day in New York City.
Interstates leaves for their first tour today. They well be traversing the countryside with their good friends Foxhole. Today also marks the pre-order of their debut Run Run.
Tour Dates:
May 2 @ The 930 Listening Room in Louisville, Kentucky
May 3 @ Capital Arts Theatre in Bowling Greene, Kentucky
May 4 @ One to One Studio in Jackson, Mississippi
May 5 @ Notsuoh in Houston, Texas
May 6 @ Mohawk in Austin, Texas
May 7 @ Monks in Abilene, Texas
May 8 @ The Monolith in Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 9 @ Main Street Cafe in Kansas City, Missouri
