Spotlight Band: Hotspur

The band:

Joe Mach – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dave Trichter – Keyboards, Vocals
Scott Robinson – Drums
Coop Cooper – Bass
Evan Anderson – Guitar, Vocals

 
Rockville, Maryland outfit Hotspur has been on the receiving end of a considerable amount of industry buzz lately. The band has been honored with a slew of awards, including the title “New Artist of the Year” by the Washington Area Music Association, and was named one of the country’s top unsigned bands by winning the grand prize title of “Artist on the Verge” at the 2010 New Music Seminar in New York City.

Taking inspiration from bands such as The Killers and Muse, Hotspur has said that they aim to create “the sound of rock n’ roll evolving.” Judging by the overwhelmingly positive critical and fan response to their current album, “You Should Know Better By Now,” it seems they’re well on their way to achieving their goal.

Recently, lead vocalist Joe Mach took the time to answer questions for TWRY readers about their creative process and the story behind their name, not to mention Bon Jovi, bananas, and the secret “alter ego” version of the band:

Interviewed by: Heather Kobrin
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Spotlight Band: Eden’s Lie

Eden’s Lie
By:  Roger Scales

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Spotlight Band: Sleeping in the Aviary

Sleeping in the Aviary (Elliott Kozel, Phil Mahlstadt, Michael Sienkowski, Celeste Heule, and Kyle Sobczak) has whipped out three albums in the last four years on their local indie label, Science of Sound – each new album bringing with it a new member and a revamped music profile.  The first album made with just Kozel, Mahlstadt, and Sienkowski, Oh, This Old Thing (2007), in its spastic post-punk rage somehow maintained a controlled delivery, earning them a loyal local following.   Their sophomore album, Expensive Vomit in a Cheap Hotel (2008), added Heule to the mix and introduced a folksy but clever flavor, which brought them some underground national attention.  The newest album, Great Vacation (2010), maintains a sense of garage/folk, but in introducing new member Sobczak has also brought in more storylines and even an island flair.  

With a Blackstreet cassette rolling and Kozel raggedly swigging Jim Beam from the bottle, we sat down the night of their cd release (with Sienkowski and Sobczak chiming in occasionally from the couch) to discuss the band’s tour kickoff, the newest album (Great Vacation), and how you can’t always trust strangers on craigslist.

Interviewed by: Dorise Gruber
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Spotlight Band: Against All Will

Against All Will
By: Sherry Thomas

Every once in awhile I have some spare time to chill out and surf the web. When I do, it’s usually to look for new music and artists that will blow me away. One night, a few months ago, I became infatuated with Against All Will. Somehow I know it will turn into a long term relationship.
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Artist Spotlight: Billy Schafer

TWRY Artist Spotlight
Billy Schafer

With his alt-pop melodies drawing comparison to the music of Jason Mraz and Joshua Radin, San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Billy Schafer has made quite a name for himself in the Bay Area music scene. He’s already been honored by his peers with a West Coast Songwriters Association award and an invitation to perform at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco.

In the wake of his debut release, First to Believe, Schafer took some time to answer questions for TWRY about his life, his music, and that flying pig floating across the cover of his album.

Interviewed by Heather Kobrin
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Spotlight Band: ModelSaint

ModelSaint is:

Skyla Talon (Vox/Guitar)
Finn Zigo (Guitars)
Tchad Drats (Bass)
Dan Laudo (Drums)

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Spotlight Band: Stranger Than Fate

Stranger Than Fate is:
Kristopher Mays
Tim Harriman
Jim Morris

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Spotlight Band: The Dusty 45s

The Dusty 45s are:
Jerry Battista – guitar/vocals
Billy Joe Huels – Lead vocals/trumpet/guitar
Kelly Van Camp:  Drums/harmonica/vocals
Jeff Gray:  Upright bass/vocals

By:  Sally Feller
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Spotlight Cover Band: Red Square

Red Square Is:
Renato Capobianco: Drums & Samples
Brian “Bam Bam” Burr: Bass & Vocals
Haril Pandya:  Guitar & Vocals
Jason Brandenburg:  Lead Vocals, Alto Sax & Trumpet

Interviewed by:  Dorise Gruber
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Spotlight Band: Key To The Midway

Key To The Midway Is:

Jesse Barnes – Vocals
Drew English – Guitar/Vocals
Corey Yoder – Guitar
Shane Barnes – Bass/Vocals
Ryan English – Drums

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette
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