Dayton music you should listen to: Dayton Musician's edition
By Vivienne Machi and Libby Ballengee
Happy 2016, one and all!
Like many of you, we were a little drained after the holidays. January is Struggle City when you're catching up on emails, trying to find that really important Post-It you misplaced in the depths of your desk drawers, and still unpacking from vacation three weeks after your flight home.
Thus, January seemed like the perfect time to ask a few of our fellow musicians and music lovers around Dayton which local tunes they're jamming to. It gave us a chance to discover some new music, too, which is a great way to kick off the new year. Plus, the people we chose have pretty exquisite taste. Be sure to check out each of their individual groups when they're playing around town; you won't be sorry.
Don’t miss out on your weekend shows: Check in with the Dayton Music Insider.
Swimming With Sharks: "Tonight"
Facebook | ReverbNation
I was asked to write about my favorite song from a Dayton band and without hesitation I knew who to write about. The only problem was choosing what song because I love them all. That band is Swimming with Sharks. And the song I chose was "Tonight." I don't think that it's particularly my favorite song of theirs because I love them all equally. This one does show a little of each of their strongest points. The song writing is excellent, all the great pop elements are there. The singing and playing are all done masterfully. Every member of this band is better than the next. They can play circles around most bands, and I think it's brilliant that they chose pop music as their outlet for it. The songs are a little sad lyrically but with uptempo, cheery music behind it, the kind of thing the great bands of the '80s used to do (The Smiths, The Cure). I can't say enough about how good Swimming With Sharks is.. And they're even better live than on recording. -Nick Testa, the Nightbeast, local DJ
Grand Mammoth: "Sister Von Doom"
Facebook | Bandpage
There is literally a TON of fascinating and unique music coming out of the Dayton area! I’m truly in love with so much of that music, but my heart always seeks out those songs that have grit and passion, a rowdy disposition, dark edges and a groove that won’t quit! Grand Mammoth’s “Sister Von Doom” is exactly that kind of song, and when the need for awesome music takes hold, I’m always drawn right to this killer tune. The intro is edgy and tense. The dirty, lo-fi guitars weave together perfectly with the strong, melodic vocals and are revved up into a powerful chorus by a brutal kick drum beat and phat bass line. This jam will leave you ready to kick butt and take names, any day, any time! -Kimberly Weiss, Sr. Partner at Music Connection Dayton, LLC and W937 Dayton Radio; Lead Vocals for local bands, Far From Eden
The Boxcar Suite: "Consider the Dragon"
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp
A song from a local band that pops into my head on a pretty regular basis is "Consider the Dragon" by The Boxcar Suite from their 2014 release "Across the Vast and Deep". I love it because it contains many of my favorite musical elements -- great guitar tones, mid-tempo rocking, strong harmonies (guitar and vocals), evocative lyrics and interesting chord changes. The Boxcar Suite bill themselves as "song oriented rock and roll" and this track certainly backs up that claim. -Rich Reuter, Trey Stone and the Ringers, Great Northern String Band, solo
The Nightbeast: "Waiting To Die"
Facebook | ReverbNation
The Nightbeast's "Waiting to Die" is our favorite! They end almost every set with it, and it's just one of those songs that hits ya with all of the emotions. It's definitely a song that brings everybody together at the end of a fun night of music. Night Beast is so good at that! We've played so many shows with them and every single one has been a blast. They have been such great friends for a few years now, and we've always been happy to support them. -Leslie, Celia and Liz Rasmussen, Good English
Paige Beller: "Marcell the Shell"
Facebook | Soundcloud
When I first heard this song, I had to play it twice – it was that much of a shock to hear a songwriter with such a fantastic voice take these intense, mournful lyrics and play them over these melancholy, beautiful chords. Was this for real?
As I listened to the rest of Paige’s demo, it dawned on me that you just don’t hear artists with this much talent anymore. And if you do, you need to listen to them, appreciate that you discovered them, go to their shows, check out their merch and buy their records.
Paige Beller is one of those artists, and for me “Marcell the Shell” was one of those songs. Since listening to it a hundred times, I’ve had the privilege to play guitar for her, including a few parts on this song. When I go back and listen to this version it makes me very nervous that I might screw the song up with my guitar. - Nick Kirzinis, the Nicky Kay Orchestra, Paige and the Belairs
Let us know what you’re listening to! Tweet us: @DaytonVivi and @LibbyBallengee
Whenever possible, we highly encourage checking your local music/record store for Dayton musicians’ releases. Support your bands, support your businesses. Call Omega Music, Toxic Beauty Records and Poster Gallery, Play It Again Music, Game Swap Kettering and Disc Exchange to see what they have in stock.
Want more local music suggestions? Check out our past Guided By Noises columns.
