"Say someone was to get both a LEGO™ pirate ship and
LEGO™ castle for their birthday,” says frontman Chris Heckman of
Colorado-based dance/rock band THE EPILOGUESanalogously describing
their music. “Typically, most people would build each set according to the
schematics and set it on display for a given period of time. What we’d do is
build something completely different using the best pieces from both sets.”
This idea of selective creation is perfectly evident on their new album CINEMATICS which
comes out on November 6, 2012 viaGreater Than Collective.
“Our sound takes a lot of influence from the music and media around us and
because of this, our influences are constantly changing, and our sound
continues to evolve.”
Recognizing the band’s impressive potential early on, RollingStone.com is
offering the track“Paradigm Shift” as their “Daily
Download” today and can be found at:http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paradigm-shift-by-the-epilogues-free-mp3-20120921.
Appropriately titled Cinematics, the album is
chock full of textured guitars, rhythmically-attuned beats, and lingering
vocals that build a neatly constructed structure of layered indie rock whose
insidious dance beat sneaks in without warning. “When I’m writing, I record
EVERYTHING! Most of the time I end up with a lot of useless gibberish, however,
sometimes I’ll come up with a great hook or idea and file it away on my
computer,” he explains. “When I began writing Cinematics, I used a
lot of synths to write and as a result, most of the hooks sounded like
something from a film score. I think the idea for [the title] Cinematics came
from that.” From the distorted guitar hook and the building drum rolls of the
intro to“The Shadow King”, the album opens to a pastoral and spacious
atmosphere that sets the stage. Surging and haunting, the track is reminiscent
of early ‘90s shoegaze without being anchored in time. “Hunting Season” swells
with Heckman’s vocals soaring over Jason Hoke’s precise machine-gun
drumming, while keyboardist Nate Hammond and bassist Jeff
Swodoba keeps things anchored. It’s a sound that has become their
trademark.
“This album represents a very trying period in our lives,”
Chris explains. After given false hope by a major label who promised the world,
their hopes were dashed when the label shuttered before the ink dried on their
recording contract. “To be honest, it was hard to stay focused.” But
instead of getting discouraged, the band began writing the songs that would
become Cinematics and they never looked back. “I am very proud
of this album, and while getting here was a bit trying, I wouldn’t change a
thing.”
Based in Denver, Colorado where they have been voted Best
Modern Rock Band each year from 2009 to 2012 by Westword, First
Place 2009 for KTCL-FM’s Hometown for the
Holidays (past winners include The Fray, Flobots, Meese), The
Epilogues are proud of their music-heavy hometown. “While Colorado’s sound is
very diverse, we’re all part of the same scene,” he beams. “It’s actually quite
unique. I feel very fortunate to be able to be part of a music scene with such
a tight community of artists.” The band has been breaking out into the national
scene through supporting Phoenix, The Sounds, AWOLNATION, Portugal The
Man, Ra Ra Riot, etc., showcases at CMJ and SXSW and
a stint on Warped Tour. “We’ve been doing this for almost
eight years, and we’ve been DIY for all of it,” says Chris about their touring
history. “I can remember playing shows where there was literally NO ONE in the
audience. And to be able to watch that grow into thousands of people is just
absolutely incredible!”
It’s pretty evident that not only have The Epilogues taken
all the best LEGO™ pieces, but they’re building something pretty damn
impressive with it. With Cinematics ready for unveiling, their
latest impressive creation is about to be revealed. But like all great
builders, they already have their eyes on the next construction. “I can’t think
of a better time in my life,” Chris concludes. “I can’t wait to do it all
again.”
The Epilogues are Chris Heckman (vocals/guitar), Nate
Hammond (keys), Jason Hoke (drums), and Jeff
Swoboda (bass). Portions ofCinematics were recorded
at Colorado Sound Studios with JP Manza (TV
on the Radio, Mumford & Sons, Tennis) behind the mixing boards, and The
Blasting Room Studios with mixing by Jason Livermore (Hot
Water Music, Rise Against, Bouncing Souls). It will be released on November
6, 2012 via Greater Than Collective.
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