Andes

Vintager Andes

After their first self-titled EP, The Andes spent the better part of two years pouring everything they had into their own studio-produced, DIY-debut album, Vintager. Drawing on equal measures of late-night partying and introspection, the album flows from one song to the next with the almighty power of the melodic, hook-laden rock song. The album is framed through the timeline of a single day, beginning with Is This It?-style opener In the Morning, segueing to Sunshine, where the day is new and bright, all the way through to the epic closing song, Setting Sun. Strewn throughout are tunes delving into prime rock and roll territory -- staying up all night, having a few beers with friends, relationships, breakups, and just overall having a good time. Beginning in late 2007 The Andes began experimenting with home demos, captured from their own recording equipment. The sonic forces were too much for the residents of Elmwood Park, however, and after a cool dozen police encounters, The Andes were forced to abandon their home studio for the comforts of a new studio out in the more open country of Wisconsin. A year's worth of sessions at The Red Room yielded the bulk of the album, save for one three-minute bombast of sound captured in between cop calls at their previous studio. The album is comprised almost entirely of songs written by lead singer and songwriter Joel Johnson, spanning a four or five year period. The album's closer is written by lead guitarist and younger brother Nate Johnson. The group's beat is held together by the force of nature that is Tony Hetland on the drums and Matt Carlson on bass. Released August 1st on Bumbershoot Records, Vintager is the manifesto of a band ready to rock and take the mantle of coolest band around, if given the chance.