The Black And White Years CD Release Show w/ Pageantry, Scientist & The White Flags

THE BLACK AND WHITE YEARS

Since 2006 — when Scott Butler, Landon Thompson and John Aldridge formed The Black & White Years — their sifter has been shaking beyond the status quo. They’ve released two albums and one EP. Topped radio charts. Shifted directions. Nearly broken up. Added members. Won awards. And now, a mere seven years post, what’s left at the bottom of the sieve are the undeniably solid pieces of a band arriving at a capstone.

Strange Figurines, due to hit earbuds on January 21, 2014 on Modern Outsider Records, is that stone. It is the unalloyed chunk that endured best and worst times, youthful decisions, egos, changes, collaborations and maturity, to become an album embodying not just style or substance. But a perfectly mixed cocktail of them both.

Discovered at SxSW in 2007 by Talking Heads’ and Modern Lovers’ Jerry Harrison, The Black & White Years debuted their first full-length, Harrison-produced record only a few months later. Following the success of their introductory LP, they fronted the national stages of CMJ Music Festival, Fun Fun Fun Fest and Austin City Limits Music Festival, not to mention the international rostrums of London’s Wireless Festival and Cannes’ MIDEM — where drummer Billy Potts climbed aboard. “Power to Change,” their uniquely mysterious pop anthem and first single, made waves on college radio, scoring them an armful of trophies at the 2009 Austin Music Awards. And their subsequent release, Nursery Myths EP (2009), proved no less noteworthy. Its lead track, “To Modern Science” helped garner close to a million YouTube views for a popular Apple iPhone commercial spoof meme. And the list continues. But the true mark of a band coming into its own doesn’t present itself solely in the form of laurels. It takes a deeper look. Past the lights and paperweight statues. Beyond the push, the pull, the up, the down, the hit, the miss. And into this perfect storm of artists that joined forces to make the music not only I have grown to love.

The Black And White Years on Facebook | The Black And White Years on Twitter | Official Website

PAGEANTRY

Pageantry is Roy Robertson, Ramon Muzquiz and Pablo Burrull. Friends of the Year is the EP they self-released in June of 2013.

Robertson’s soaring vocal melodies rise above oceans of distortion and reverb to create a collage of emotion that sways back and forth to intricate rhythms and harmonies as the group explores a tense landscape.

The group has been likened to Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Radiohead and the Walkmen and have performed with Midlake, Tera Melos, Crocodiles, Generationals, Telekinesis, Mount Moriah, Balmorhea and many more.

Upon the release of Friends of the Year Pageantry embarked on a Fall tour which included a Daytrotter Session, dates in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas with appearances at Canned Fest in Denton (Menomena and Helio Sequence) and Index Festival in Dallas (Andrew Bird, Real Estate, etc.) and as support for a sold-out show with Midlake.

The group is currently writing/preparing their first LP.

Pageantry on Facebook | Pageantry on Twitter | Official Website

SCIENTIST

Scientist is from deep in the heart of Texas. In early 2011, Brandon DuBois and Jesse Schaefer began writing their debut, World EP. Produced by grammy nominated band, After Edmund, the band recorded the five song EP over the course of twelve months. Inspired by The Killers and Passion Pit, the record consists of five songs that are pop rock to the core and wrapped with an electronic bow.

Scientist is constantly in The Lab working on new videos and responses to The Experiment, a feature where people submit cover videos of Scientist songs, and in return, Scientist covers one of theirs. Along with that, nerd glasses and pocket protectors are given out at every show, and anyone who tags Scientist in a nerdy picture will end up on the website.

The Scientist boys can be found in the Mobile Lab on tour promoting World EP with their captivating live show, complete with instrument switches, electronic breaks, and crowd participation.

Scientist on Facebook | Scientist on Twitter | Official Website

THE WHITE FLAGS

THE WHITE FLAGS are an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas. They have an endearing and universal sound that is rooted in rock but incorporates aspects of many genres of popular music. Seth’s impassioned, soul-bearing vocals combine with strong melodic instrumentals and infectious bass and drum lines to form the band’s signature sound.

The White Flags was formed in late 2011 after Seth realized he’d been writing songs for a band concept and not a solo project (like he originally thought). He coined it “THE WHITE FLAGS”, paying homage to a line from CS Lewis’ novel The Great Divorce.

Adding to the band’s cutting edge sound is Grammy-winning and multi-platinum Producer Happy Perez. Hap’s shortlist of A-talent he’s worked with (and/or is currently working with) includes artists such as Mariah Carey, Ryan Tedder, Frank Ocean, BlackBear, Ludacris, Miguel, Rhianna and B.O.B. Hap’s contribution to THE WHITE FLAGS’ timeless style is proving to open doors to new types of fans that are willing to genre-hop.

Early on, the band had live opportunities bubbling up so fast they didn’t even have enough original material to finish a set with. They drew from some of their favorite influences to get through the nights, bands like Miike Snow and Phantogram. Says Justin (lead guitarist), “Having to pull covers from bands we identified with really helped shape a lot of the sound of this first album. The reaction from the crowds let us know those songs looked really good on us and thank God, it’s some of our favorite stuff to play.” It’s the happy accidents that sometimes shape a great project. Thankfully, the boys now have a full show’s worth of songs (though they still pop in a tasteful cover now and again for fun). “Cool thing is we get the same big rowdy applause after our songs as we do when we finish our Phantogram cover of ‘When I’m Small.’ That’s nice because people will let you know what they love and what they hate. Man, we’re doing something right. It’s exciting,” Ricardo.

The White Flags on Facebook | The White Flags on Twitter | Official Website