At the nucleus of Now Its Overhead is the songwriting of multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer Andy LeMaster, who has long lent his talents to Bright Eyes and whose Chase Park Transduction studio has recorded the likes of REM, Drive-By Truckers, The Glands, of Montreal, and a host of Saddle Creek label mates.
Since the first, self-titled Now It's Overhead release in 2001, LeMaster has crafted his compositions with the help of Azure Rays Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor, as well as drummer Clay Leverett, with whom Andy has played music for nearly two decades. This combination of talents has lent itself fluidly to the range of LeMaster's songwriting, the diversity of which shined throughout 2004's critically lauded Fall Back Open. 2006 finds Fink, Taylor, and Leverett in the studio with LeMaster yet again, putting the finishing touches on Now Its Overheads third full-length, Dark Light Daybreak.
Now Its Overhead has more than once evoked the term dreamy. Dark Light Daybreak is not exactly an exception its awash in the bands signature moody layers and wall of guitar. But if the previous two records were dream-like, Dark Light Daybreak is more akin to waking up.
Providing by one turn a desert-highway soundtrack, by another, a heartrending nostalgia for a moment just past the edge of memory, Dark Light Daybreak is sharp around the edges, with each songs elements being as distinct as the whole. A syncopated beat pops against an insistent bass line. The comforting patter of a keyboard is unsettlingly punctuated by overdriven, discordant voices. And throughout, Andy LeMasters reedy vocals, as diverse an instrument as any on the album, are as true in a fragile harmony as they are on a soaring, cathartic chorus. Whether delivering an acidic indictment or a hopeful sentiment, voice combines with lyrics to speak the collective experience of individuals.
Now Its Overheads latest offering sees LeMasters seasoned production skills synthesizing songwriting and recording; letting space and clarity serve as a thread of tension that runs through the album, unifying songs that range from stark to symphonic, buoyant to tragic. The range of Leveretts drumming and the variations of Taylor and Finks vocals shine through, adding to each song the expertise of musicians who stand back, listen, then bring exactly what needs to be there. Dark Light Daybreak runs the songwriting gamut, leaving not a moment to be missed.
LeMaster and friends have toured the United States and Europe alongside such bands as REM, The Faint, The Killers, Idlewild, Rilo Kiley, Tilly and the Wall, Desaparecidos, Idlewild, and Azure Ray. Now It's Overhead will again be touring extensively in support of Dark Light Daybreak. The album is due to be released on September 12, 2006 by Saddle Creek.
alright, so people always say happy hump day for Wednesdays. I think its just as strange to say happy Uphill on Tuesdays, or happy Downhill on Thursdays, but i've never ever seen or heard anyone wish that. -Brandon
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.