Welcome to Noise Creator’s New Noise column where we tell you about the best up and coming bands we think everyone will be talking about soon.
Conquering an August EP release and basking in a triumphant victory in the Ernie Ball Battle of The Bands, Marina City are sure to become a familiar name with the Warped Tour crowd in the upcoming year.
This Chicago six-piece creates a sound that’s accessible for the loyal alternative listener and impressive and unique to the critical ear. Their ability to stand out and their amazing work ethic is undoubtedly why they’ve reigned victorious above thousands of hopeful locals. Thanks to their contest win, they’ve earned a spot on the Vans Warped Tour this summer.
The band’s latest release Wanderlust was produced by Casey Bates, known for his work on notable albums by Foxy Shazam, Pierce The Veil and Portugal. The Man among many others. Bates has a history in working with bands with a more dynamic nature and making sure that every intricate musical part through comes through on the album – making him a perfect match for the powerhouse that is Marina City.
“There is so much to be proud of with this EP. We wrote 15 songs, then narrowed it down to five and took the cool parts of the other songs,” Marina City vocalist Ryan Argast told Noise Creators about working with Bates, “This really stretched our creativity and definitely made it a stronger EP for us. Casey made us sound amazing!”
When describing their sound, there are a ton of comparisons you can make to Marina City’s influences, but that would definitely sell them short. On top of the post-hardcore skeleton that carries the band’s sound, there is a ton of multi-genre fusion throughout their catalogue. You can find elements of jazz in the keys, nitty-gritty soulfulness in the vocals and a general pop sensibility in the song composition.
Apparently how to describe their music is a hot topic amongst the band, as Argast explains, “We call our music Aggressive Pop Rock. We aren’t afraid to do something inspired by Frank Sinatra, Bruno Mars, Fall Out Boy or Avenged Sevenfold. We want to write music and that’s it.”
That’s no exaggeration. Mere months after Wanderlust, Marina City took to Facebook earlier this month to let their fans know that they’re already brainstorming for their next release with a goal of writing two new songs every time they get together. Since their Battle of the Bands win includes studio time with John Feldmann, vocalist of Goldfinger and legendary producer for well known acts including The Used, Panic! At The Disco and All Time Low – they’re not taking this next one lightly.
On working with Feldmann, Argast shares, “Some of our favorite albums of all time were produced by John Feldmann. Since he’s basically the creator of the sound we go for, this may be the EP we’ve always dreamed to make.”
Dreams are a huge part of the way Marina City operates, and they back it all up with music business smarts and motivation. When preparing to enter the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, the band made a list of things they wanted to accomplish in 2015 – and have achieved all of them. They’ve worked incessantly to book shows and build a fanbase who they constantly engage with. When it comes to a competition where votes and fan comments matter a lot, that effort definitely paid off. “We work really hard for our fans and this time our fans worked really hard for us,” Argast told us, being sure to share the credit with the band’s family, friends and fans for Marina City’s growing success.
As for their upcoming stint on the 2016 edition of Vans Warped Tour, Marina City are actively gearing up for the long, hot challenge ahead. “We are training now. Yes, training!” Argast told us, “We need to put on a show every day that will make people want to see this unknown band on the Ernie Ball stage.”
You can catch Marina City on tour with 7 Minutes in Heaven and Broadside this January throughout the midwest. To keep up with Marina City on their road to Warped Tour head to their website or their Facebook page – and of course, check out their music here.
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Cheska Colombo is a writer, graphic designer and music/marketing enthusiast from Northern NJ. She’s also the human embodiment of the caps lock button. You can usually find her getting stoked about shows and avocados. Website | Twitter | Email