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Excitement levels are high as Transistor Radio prepares for the August 28th drop of debut A Legacy Between, also the first release from Up At Nite Records, the new rock imprint of Syntax Records. It is a joining of pioneer spirits, as Transistor Radio’s melodic indie-rock represents well the innovative energy of Up At Nite, created by the pacesetters behind JoshuaFest, Cornerstone California, and Syntax Records, an upstart itself, putting out the freshest underground sounds since 1997.
Four driven years and several permutations have resulted in today’s Transistor Radio line-up, solid since January of 2006: Jamesdon Kissling (vocals/keys), Guy Bravo (guitar), Sam Moreno (guitar/vocals/keys), Andrew Galbreath (bass/vocals), and Jordan Heid (drummer). The band’s membership met through the unique juxtaposition of prayer and Myspace. “We just clicked from the get-go,” shares bassist Andrew Galbreath. “What really melded us together was the coming together of our first two loves: God and music.” Along with a driving desire to open connections between a loving God and those in desperate need of Him, the quintet brings together avid passions for music across the board: frontman Kissling loves Dashboard Confessional, Bravo is a Led Zeppelin fan, while Sam Moreno still listens to Stryper and Jordan Heid is a huge country fan. All five bring years of robust individual expertise together to create the melodic hook-rich sound that is A Legacy Between.
Transistor Radio’s alt-rock groove is backed up by boldly honest lyrics that flow from their strong relational drive. Unafraid to open up a vein and reveal candid fears, they serve up the deeply expressive “California in December,” and bravely convey the chaos of dependency in “Addiction.” Their sound is message-oriented without skimping on sonic excellence, as illustrated in the melodic intensity of “The Getaway,” powerfully portraying one mind’s consideration of the gospel and its benefits.
“This record touches base on the human issues that everybody relates to,” says label founder Aaron Diello. “I mean everyone. You cannot listen to A Legacy Between and not relate. You find yourself singing the song for yourself, and crying out to God because you know you’re not alone. This record does an amazing job of pointing the listener in the right direction . . . to a God that is infinite in love and grace.”
This direct approach is no surprise coming from a band willing to invite fans to send in prayer requests and discussion questions. Meeting regularly on Tuesdays to cover those needs in prayer, the Transistor Radio guys are focused on the mission. “We don’t want to be just a band about music,” shares drummer Jordan Heid. “We feel God calling us to take it a step further, and become engaged in people’s lives. That’s what God calls us all to do in the Bible, period. To be engaged with one other.”
A Legacy Between deals with everything life throws at us. From our own trials that we create for ourselves to the trials God places in our path. Transistor Radio’s chunky guitars, contagious hooks, and potent lyrics open the doors of hope and encouragement just when we need them most.
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