Tomorrow we are playing a show with This Time Next Year, who recently signed to Equal Vision. I’ve followed this band ever since my buddy Mike, who I met through theprp.com’s discussion forums when I was probably around 15, released their album “A Place For You” on his label Escapist Records.
At first when I heard about this band I rolled my eyes and refused to listen. Their name is obviously the title of the first Movielife record I fell in love with. I don’t know why it bugged me so much at the time, but I couldn’t figure out why a band would so blatantly cite their influences through their band name.
As time passed, I heard more and more buzz about this band. I finally caved and listened to what they had to offer. I ended up kicking myself because of all that I had missed. The band was good. Their songs were catchy. Their name, I came to find, was a fitting tribute to one of my favorite bands ever. I dropped any convictions I had about tributary names, and became a fan of the band.
Not long after I finally became a fan, they signed to Equal Vision Records. Their signing made me realize that in the realm of independent music, good music is good music, and I shouldn’t be so quick to pass judgment simply because of a name. Their quick rise to a prominent record label was lost to me because my thick head wouldn’t allow me to listen to them. As a fan of the band, I feel as if I missed their most trying moments. Like a father who missed his sons first words. A father who missed his sons first steps. A father too concerned with work to watch his sons little league baseball games. Now, as time has passed, I am now the theoretical father who has realized that his ways were flawed. I will not miss any more baseball games. I will be there on the side, hoping that they hit that home run. Maybe that’s a terrible metaphor, but it pretty much sums it all up for me.
Independent bands, while plentiful, all deserve a chance. You never know which ones are great if you don’t listen. It took me a long time to listen to so many of the bands I love now a days, This Time Next Year being one of them. Many of those bands’ best moments and shows didn’t include me, because I was just indifferent and too thick headed to take a listen.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow night. I’ll finally be able to see one of my new favorite bands, and even better- I get to play a show with them.
-Andrew
Please email your thoughts and comments to andeewells@gmail.com
![Here’s the cover for our “everything so far” release Boulevards.
We’re waiting on the cassette tapes to be pressed. They should be done soon and released through No Action Records. However, we have decided to go ahead and post all of the songs to our bandcamp page to stream. The first five songs are off Of Ghosts and the remaining songs are demos, acoustics, and a cover of Jawbreaker’s Boxcar.
You can stream the songs through this here player:
[Edit: Apparently the player doesn’t show up in the dashboard. Visit our bandcamp page to stream.]
In other news…
We are currently finishing up writing for our next album. We will begin tracking at the end of the month and work into the new year recording with our friends DB and Max. We’re all excited to get a new release in to your hands. Release dates and track listing aren’t set, but you’ll hear about it soon enough! Until then, enjoy Boulevards and tell all your friends!](http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ktzjp0rl8W1qzpwj4o1_500.png)
