Local band Starseed's new album, Way Skies, is almost impossible to put inside a genre box, even the band itself has a hard time describing it.
Lead vocalist and acoustic guitar player Adam Schraft calls it "very energetic, very live." Bass player Jon Trause said it's "versatile, rocking, funky and poppy." Still, they all agree that it's a unique combination of rock and soul.
Audiences will have an opportunity to decide for themselves on Saturday at the Lanchpad during Starseed's CD release party. Trust that you really do need to hear them for yourself to truly understand.
The new album, co-produced by Grammy-nominated Tim Stroh, catches its listener by surprise. One minute the band sounds like a punk rock group, then it's more like pop rock and then the next thing you know, the soulful sound of drummer and vocalist Charis Hurst totally changes the pace - all in one song.
The effect is not jarring or over-stimulating, the album creates an atmosphere in which the listener can just kind of go with it and relax into the beautiful sounds.
"We are very unique simply for the fact that we all grew up listing to different kinds of music," Hurst said. "We have an evolving sound."
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So what kind of music connoisseur would appreciate this evolving sound? Everyone, the band said.
"Our music is for people who like to get down on the dance floor," Schraft said.
Anyone who is into music can easily pick out this band's influences and appreciate each one.
"It's for anyone who likes fun music," Trause said.
Way Skies is not only a wild ride, but a fun one too. On the first track, "No Shoes," Starseed produces a mix of funky guitar and slamming drums while singing about how you don't have to wear any shoes in the summertime. Those same powerful drums stand out in every song on the album.
"We have a drummer who plays drums like Jon Bonham and sings like Lauren Hill," Schraft said.
Not only is their sound unique but their name is too. The band found it in a book called Starseed Transmissions.
"It's a new age book about how aliens affect human consciousness on earth to bring peace and love," guitarist Jon Fox said.
Fox, Schraft, Trause and Hurst may do just that with their messages of spirituality and love.
Starseed will take the stage at midnight and the show starts at 9 p.m. with Concepto Tambor and Love Overdose. For those who can't make it out Saturday night, the poolroom in the SUB has a copy of Way Skies and is taking requests for it.
