Allies Interview

Click play above to listen to my interview with Allies of Long Island, NY. Thanks so much to Joe, Ryan, and Alex for hanging out and talking to me about their secret musical society.

Everyone's Allies

Hey everyone! I figured I’ve talked enough about myself the past couple of weeks, and thought I’d give you the chance to get to know a group of guys near and dear to my heart, Allies. You may recognize them from my Top 5 post last week, where I briefly mentioned them opening up for a Bad Rabbits at a show on Long Island, where they’re from.

Allies at The Paramount in Huntington, NY 1/12

Comprised of lead singer/keyboardist Joe Villafane, guitarist Ryan Higbie, bassist Sean Banicki and drummer Alex Kaufman, Allies began back in 2012 after the childhood and college friends came together under their old name, Along the Falls earlier on. Over the past few years of knowing them, I’ve had the privilege of watching them evolve as musicians and reinvent their sound, putting out work they’re really proud of. 

They really know how to put on a great show and are certainly ones to keep an eye out for, so I figured they deserved a little spotlight courtesy of lightning bug. Within the next few days, look out for an interview with them where we’ll talk about who they are and what’s next for this creative and extremely talented band of brothers.

My Top 5

So in my last post I mentioned a few of my favorite songs on the new summertime playlist, which may have you asking, how did I pick those? Well today I’d like to give you a chance to get to know me better and get a feel for exactly what kinds of music I enjoy, which will also give you a better feel for what you’ll be seeing more of. Also I’d love nothing more than to subtly brag about how close I got to the stage at 5 of my all time favorite concerts attended. Here we go!

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1. A GREAT BIG WORLD

You recognize these guys right? They came right out of nowhere with their somber but beautiful “Say Something” accompanied by the 90s legend Xtina and won over the world. They’ve been featured on Good Morning America, Today Show and countless other TV and radio shows, and I can say that I witnessed history in the making.

This was taken from the *NYC rooftop of the Standard Hotel East, at a very small show back in April of 2012 when the band was simply known by the name of their frontman and founder, Ian Axel. I’d been following Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino (guitarist and cofounder) since early on in 2010 when I stumbled upon their DIYed music video for “This Is The New Year” on Youtube, loving their sound, and like any loyal fan, wishing they could one day get the recognition they deserve. It was at this show that they officially announced their name change to what we’re all familiar with now as A Great Big World, so you can imagine my shock when “Say Something” – which is even more beautiful live, by the way – featuring none other than Christina Aguilera came on a Pandora station years later.

*This was the only photo that survived from that show thanks to my phone’s memory being wiped and me being stupid enough not to back it up.

2. FUN.

Here’s another one of my all time favorites: fun. live at Terminal 5 in  June of 2012. Much like A Great Big World, I followed them all the way from beginning, and it made such a difference when I got to see them live, completely selling out a large NYC venue. I have honestly never gone to a show with the kind of energy this one had. These shots simply don’t do it any justice, and you can’t capture in a photo what it felt like to get chills up and down your spine despite being packed like 3500 sardines into an 80+ degree venue.

3. BAD RABBITS

So this is my friend Joe Villafane, lead singer and keyboardist of Allies doing his thing at Revolution Bar in Amityville, NY during September of 2012 (it was a year full of concerts). They were one of the opening acts before Bad Rabbits, a Boston-based alternative R&B group that pump up the crowd like almost no other show I’ve been to.

While I try to see Bad Rabbits anytime they come through the New York area, that night definitely stood out as the most exciting show because they filmed their music video for “We Can Roll” right there from in, around and on top of the audience. At one point, there was even a GoPro camera being thrown around as fans crowd surfed and danced like crazy. I’ve never been to a show this interactive and I’m so proud to have been a part of the making of their music video. Watch it here!

4. TAKING BACK SUNDAY/BAYSIDE

          Next on my list of favorites is the show at Terminal 5 during November of 2012 featuring Bayside, pictured to the left, and Taking Back Sunday, on the right. Up until this point I’d been going to more mellow concerts, so the fact that I had to relearn how to deal with mosh pits at this one was what made it memorable. Aside from being knocked down a few times and burning my hand on someone’s cigarette in the crowd, the performances made it all worth it. Two of my favorite musicians brought me back to the golden age of pop punk music that only Middle School Steph really got to enjoy, so it was great night for nostalgia.

5. GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL

Last but certainly not least; I’d like to pay mention to the Global Citizen Festival, held in Central Park every September. It’s not only meant to raise awareness of global poverty and other social issues, but it attracts some huge name artists like Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Alicia Keys and Kings of Leon who all came out and celebrated with 60,000 fans on September 28, 2013. I chose this as one of my favorites for the incredible lineup, how accommodating staff was considering the huge crowd, and how Stevie sang each and every one of my favorite songs. You just can’t beat it.

Bob Casale Dies at 61

Original member of Devo, Bob Casale has died of apparent heart failure at the age of 61 on February 17^th, 2014.

As the rhythm guitar and keyboard player, Casale was spoken of fondly by his brother Gerald Casale, founder of the band, in a Facebook post addressing the musician’s untimely death.

With roots in Akron, Ohio back in 1972 Devo made major waves on the music scene in the 80’s, including their major hit Whip It.

Casale is survived by his wife, Lisa, and two children.

Winter Blues

I don’t know about you, but this weather is seriously bumming me out. It’s so cold I think I just saw a tauntaun pass by.

So, while sitting in my ice cold dorm room a few nights ago, I figured I’d do the only thing I thought was appropriate – detatch myself completely from this sunless world and spend the night making a perfect Summertime Playlist. It ended up having over 150 songs, but I’ll go ahead and just name a few of my favorites (in no specific order) in case any of you are also in need of some vitamin D.

Two Drops In The Ocean by 311

Perfect beach song, without a doubt. Like most of 311’s other songs, it’s really an acquired taste, but I think anyone can appreciate this funk rock inspired tune just for the sheer fact that it sounds like it was literally recorded underwater.

Someday I Suppose by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

There was no way I was making a summertime playlist without these guys. I can definitely credit The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with cultivating my love for ska music and brass ensembles incorporated into different genres. Something about this song just makes you want to get up and dance, and definitely brings me back to some great times had where parkas were not required.

Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft

I think it goes without saying that this might possibly be THE summer anthem. While not quite as upbeat as some of its other counterparts on this list, you can’t hear lyrics like, “sweet days of summer, the jasmine’s in bloom, July is dressed up and playing her tune,” without feeling instantly better about the Snowpocalypse.

Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

This was Passion Pit’s breakout hit a few years ago, and with good reason. There is definitely something magical about the song, the way it was composed in PP’s unique electro-pop style, and how it somehow reminds me of catching fireflies at dusk (but maybe that’s just me?).

School’s Out for Summer by Alice Cooper

Need I say more?

Sound Check

I know what you're thinking - not another music blog. Haven't the hipsters taken enough from us? Does anyone even really like Peter, Bjorn and John aside from that one song with all the whistling? It's ok. I totally understand your hesitance. But what I really hope to accomplish from atop my tiny little digital soap box is to share my absolute visceral passion for music and provide (brutally) honest reviews of the latest dropped (or leaked) singles, albums and music videos.

So I guess I should tell you a little bit about me right, because hey, what makes me an expert on any of this?

My name is Stephanie, and I'm a sophomore in college. While I go to school in the New York City area , I grew up on Long Island and have been blessed with a vastly musical group of friends, for whom I can definitely credit with turning me onto the local music scene. I've been going to everything from local live shows at venues, some of which I'll never step foot in again for fear of my physical and aural safety, to larger mainstream concerts since I was around 15, and my momentum has never quite slowed since. I think it's been over these past few years that my tastes and interests have really evolved, so much so that I'm willing to lay it all on the table and share it with you guys - yikes!

The first official post will come your way next week but I did want to leave you with a little commentary on the title of the blog and why in the hell it's called lightning bug. I recently dropped more money than I'm proud of on 5-day passes to the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, DE happening from 6/18-6/23 this summer, and see as it's all I can think about, it was naturally the inspiration for the blog. The lineup is unreal, featuring some of my favorite artists like Arctic Monkeys, Outkast, Third Eye Blind, Weezer, Beck and Jack Johnson, so if anything give My Firefly 2014 Spotify Playlist a listen (see if it doesn't make you fall in love with the festival).

Thanks for listening!
- Stephanie