At the center and a smidge to the north of the every blooming Midwestern music scene is experimental indie rock/ post-hardcore band Hail Archer. Though this five-piece band was incepted in Milwaukee just two
years ago, they’ve already gained great backing from fans all over, as well as the praise of many a music media outlet. Named one of the Top 8 Unsigned Bands by Alternative Press Magazine, as well as being voted Hometown Heroes in the same publication, Hail Archer was also been predicted to be “Big in 2009” by Crescendo Magazine, a speculation most likely based on the bands victory in the Emerging Artists Series at Summerfest of 2008. Playing such festivals as Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos in addition to the slew of shows they’ve played out in the past two years, its obvious that this band is doing something right.
Evidence of just what that is can be found in their most recent EP Leave Your Body Behind, which the band put out in the fall of 2009 and are courteously offering as a free download on their tumblr for a limited time.
Leave Your Body Behind is a brilliant display of the union between heavy and heartfelt that Hail Archer has created. Though their appearance gives off the impression of something hearty and harsh, there is an unforeseen delicateness in this bands sound thanks to the swoon worthy croon of front-man Brian Tombari. Taking a shine to the atmospheric aggression of bands like Thrice, Circa Survive, and The Receiving End of Sirens, Hail Archer’s Leave Your Body Behind is six tracks of well formed frequencies sure to please most listeners.
From its ambient intro akin to the style in Lydia’s Illumuniate, Hail Archer stops any assumption that they may be a minimalist band in its tracks as ‘Stormbringer’ punches through the din with its driving guitars and thoracic tempo. It is here that we get our first taste of the richly layered sound and subtle harmonies found all throughout the album.
‘Bury This in Texas’, which was previously seen on the bands self-titled EP, wastes no time, kick starting itself with wailing guitars and vocals that rise and fall in perfect unison with their accompaniment. Harmonious backing vocals couple Tombari’s voice, leading into a breakdown of heavy screams, and crunching guitars, making it one of the most aggressive tracks on the EP.
Songs like ‘Fearing Forever’ and ‘Decades Underground’ take a more melodic approach, but even at their most slow paced Hail Archer keeps their listeners alert with guitar riffs and yells that harden any soft spots found in these tracks.
There are two distinct things that make Hail Archer such a stand out act: the powerhouse belting of Brian Tombari and the musician’s expert judgment in their song layouts. We imagine the writing process of Hail Archer to be much like the work of a skilled chef-knowing just when a pinch of this or a dash of that is needed, how long to marinate their melodies before adding the next ingredient, and always garnishing their final product with just the right harmony or shout.
This talent is none more present than in ‘Manipulated Living’, the final track of this EP, which recaptures the melodic moments and the heavy hitters of Leave Your Body Behind in a thrilling give-and-take that delivers subtle, throaty yells underneath its spacey guitars and cymbal heavy percussion.
One listen to any one of these songs will answer any questions about why this band is catching on so quickly, and surely will arouse an interest in what Hail Archer is bringing to the table next.
Guitarist Andrew Balfour divulged in some shoptalk with us earlier this month. Keep reading to learn all about Hail Archers beginning, the first live band Andrew ever saw, and the new music the Milwaukee musicians will be working on this summer.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Andrew Balfour: We have been writing a lot of new music and are preparing to go into the studio this summer to put out a new release. We are trying to stay as focused as we can on putting out the best songs possible.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Andrew Balfour: Deftones, Thrice, Smashing Pumpkins. All of those bands are bands who paved the way for music today. It would be an honor to share the stage with them and would be great to hear good music every night.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Andrew Balfour: It’s hard to pin down specific influences but I would say that Deftones, Thrice and Smashing Pumpkins are bands that everyone in the band can agree upon.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Andrew Balfour: It would be great to pick up all different instruments and play them fluently. If I had to pick one though, I would probably pick the Piano.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Andrew Balfour: My iPod has a tendency to clear itself from time to time, so the only things I have on my iPod right now are the new Silversun Pickups record, “Swoon” and the new Oceansize EP, “Home and Minor.” Other than that I have lots of Hail Archer demos and demos from our friends bands. It’s definitely time to update my library.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Andrew Balfour: Dave Sardy. What he did with Barkmarket and the record “L.Ron” are sonically amazing. The dynamics and tones that are found throughout that record, and his entire body of work are untouchable. All of his records have a raw feel that is hard to find in recordings today.
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Andrew Balfour: Blink 182. I was 14 years old once and not afraid to admit it.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Andrew Balfour: Local to Milwaukee would have to be Red Knife Lottery, Bosio and a tie between our friends in Mechanical Kids and Sleep Serapis Sleep.
Reviewsic: What’s the backstory on how the band came to be what it is today?
Andrew Balfour: We started back in 2008. We found a group of guys from other bands who we thought would mesh well on a personal and professional level. After about a year and a half with the group our drummer decided to leave the group. We then started working with an incredibly talented drummer who definitely took the bands music to a whole new level. His maturity and knowledge of the drums was something that we definitely lacked in the past and has helped us progress to exciting new levels.
Reviewsic: Tell us about the new music you’ll be recording this summer- is there a particular concept behind it? What the process of making an album like for you?
Andrew Balfour: We are still working out concepts and themes for the record, but we have definitely taken personal experience and are approaching it more openly and honestly. The new music so far has been more aggressive, experimental and authentic to our tastes and talents as a band. We want to incorporate as many aesthetics into our music as possible and leave ourselves fulfilled with how each song turns out. Songwriting for this particular record has been approached with an open mind and has been a collective effort to take our music to new heights. We want to treat our fans and new listeners to something that they haven’t heard out of us before.
Reviewsic: What most influences your direction as band?
Andrew Balfour: Personal experiences definitely push us down particular paths. However, we always try to find a silver lining and pull positive aspects from what we’ve gone through. We don’t necessarily try to follow a specific direction for every song, we do what is best for the song and the moment.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities to play?
Andrew Balfour: Eastern Canada and Grayslake, Illinois are always fun. Saint Louis is one of our favorite cities to play. We have amazing friends there who always treat us well. We always have fun in every city we play. When everyone in the band is together we like to make the most out of every situation.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Andrew Balfour: The worst moment would have to be when almost all of our gear was stolen from us. The best moments definitely outweigh the negative ones. Every tour we’ve done has highlights o’plenty. Getting to play with Thursday at Taste of Chaos was pretty awesome too.
Reviewsic: Individually, how did you get your starts in music?
Andrew Balfour: We all have been playing for a very long time. Music is something that has always come natural to us and is something we’ve always strived to do as our careers. We’ve all paid our dues inold bands and would like to continue to move forward with our music careers.
Reviewsic: If Hail Archer were a secret band of superheroes, what would each of your powers be and who would be your arch nemesis?
Andrew Balfour: Clearly you’ve never heard of Captain Skuzz and the Browntones. Many tales have been told about the digestive powers of one man, Captain Reginald R. Skuzzard, but few have actually scene his lazer deuce cannon. As for our nemesis – anything Worm related.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Andrew Balfour: Same thing we do every year… Try to take over the world.
Tags: Album Review, Interview, Local Music, Music News
