Attic Light

Nathan Bowman has a flair for the theatrical. You might guess that after watching “Whiskey Love,” the latest music video from his band, Attic Light, and the lead single off the April-released Exile EP.

Bowman — dressed in a white suit and a perilously unbuttoned shirt — mugs for the camera and exaggerates his singing. All this, he says, is in hopes that you’ll be inspired to shake it just half as hard as he does.

Ahead of the band’s Sunday-night show at the Riot Room — and before Attic Light embarks on a summer tour — I called Bowman to chat about where Attic Light got its groove.

The Pitch: How long has Attic Light been together?

Bowman: We first got together and started playing back in 2012. At that time, it was just myself and our bassist, Patrick [Rippeto]. We had a few other guys that aren’t in the band anymore. We started playing shows and released an EP called Different Shades of Black in 2014 with that lineup. We mixed things around and found our current drummer [Joseph Dillman] and guitarist [Michael Pittman], and we started writing the Exile EP, which just came out a few weeks ago.

I write all the music. When I first started Attic Light, I wanted to form a band that could do what I was writing. When I started, I wanted to write simple rock tunes that people could move to. “Whiskey Love” is an example of that — it’s something that’s fun, that you can move around to and dance to. It’s got a beat, and it’s something you can sort of feel.

It’s a lot of work, holding down a full-time gig and committing yourself to a band. How do you make everything work with Attic Light?

We’re very ambitious, at least from my point of view. It’s not a hobby for us. What little free time I have from my job is spent on the band, because we’re also independent, so I also manage the band. Outside of actually playing and writing and rehearsing, I spend 20 hours a week maintaining our website and social-media presence. We’ve got a very busy touring schedule coming up.

Is it hard to stay ambitious with so many obligations?

With regard to ambition, I think you just have to get out there. We’re not making any money on music sales — any income we have as a band comes from playing shows. So in terms of keeping the band financed, it comes from touring and traveling, and it gets the music out there. I don’t think any of us would say that what we’re doing as a hobby.

How did you discover music and how did it became such an important part of your life?

For me, at least, listening to music a lot was just what I did growing up, especially pop music. I listened to a lot of pop music as a kid, and I started trying to do music by myself. I loved the Spice Girls and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I loved listening to pop music because it made me want to move and have a good time, and in high school, I started writing lyrics and stuff. I realized I needed to learn to play an instrument if I wanted music to be put to it, and I started playing around in high school. In college, I did the solo-acoustic-songwriter thing, but I didn’t like that, because I liked rhythm, and I listened to a lot of Prince. I’m not just saying that because of recent events — it was the syncopation of multiple instruments and a funky dance beat. I loved that, and I couldn’t do that with one person, and that’s when I put Attic Light together.

What do you want someone to take away from a first listen to the Exile EP?

I guess, for me, if they take away anything, I want them to have something stuck in their head. Hopefully, with songs like “Whiskey Love,” they take away a little bit of the theatrical nature of the band. But if they can listen to the record and get something stuck in their head, I would love that, more than maybe anything about the band’s personality. - The Pitch

Valentine’s Day this year doesn’t have to be filled with flowers, candied hearts, chocolate and a nice romantic candlelit dinner with soft music in the background. Instead, switch it up this Hallmark holiday weekend and jam out to the sound of Kansas City rock band, Attic Light. The talented men that make up this rocking group are vocalist and guitarist Nathan Bowman, guitarist Michael Pittman, bassist Patrick Rippeto and Joseph Dillman on drums. This tour and show at O’Leaver’s Pub is in support of the band’s upcoming album, which was recorded in Nashville, “Exile EP.” You can listen to the first single “Exile” on the Attic Light website. If you like what you hear, on Friday, Feb. 12, “Whiskey Love” will be released and, bonus, this will help you prep for the concert. The first time I listened to “Exile,” I was trying to sing along. It was as if I had heard the song before, but not in an unoriginal way, quite the contrary. Attic Light somehow mixes familiarity with originality creating a song you know you have never heard, but already love. Based on the reviews and fans of this band, the concert will be entertaining to say the least. The energy they bring to the stage is said to be not only contagious, but a vigorous, true to the meaning of rock and roll, performance. Joining Attic Light will be reggae rock bands Faded and Stonebelly. You don’t have to go to a quiet dinner or stay at home this Valentine’s Day, but maybe you should buy flowers and candy so your sweetheart will dance close to you during this concert. - The Reader (Omaha)

A few things come from Kansa City ...jazz, BBQ and now Attic Light, blogspot readers. There's more to this band than energizing fusion of rock-n-roll (with funk and more) that featured hard-hitting guitar riffs. There was a whole lot of sexiness going on from front man Nathan too. Sexiness ...it's an art form and very essential when trying to promote your band's stage presence to a new audience. Believe, SouthSide when she says that Nathan exceeded the legal limit of sexiness throughout the entire Attic Light set. Within a heartbeat, the temperature just went up a notch or two (even with the A/C on) and it was merely just the first song! Performing songs like "Spotlight" and "Help Me Darlin'", Attic Light performed a disturbing yet dark variation of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love". Disturbing because the band stripped away the song's original 80s sound thus adding a piece of their music to the cover meanwhile dark because the gritty guitar riffs gave the song a rougher sound and edge that sent a couple of chills down this reviewer's spine. Despite performing a short set, Attic Light packed every minute of their performance with blasts of sexy, funk rock music until the end with the song "Market" off the band's upcoming album Different Shades of Black (to be released June 24). SouthSide highly recommends seeing this band perform live before listening to the album. It's to help you get the vibe and hear the music of what Attic Light is about - sexy rock-n-roll. - SouthSide On The Town (Chicago)

Kansas City alternative rockers Attic Light are gearing up for a new tour and EP release. The quartet consisting of Nathan Bowman (vocals, guitar), Michael Pittman (guitar), Patrick Rippeto (bass), and Joseph Dillman (drums) is known for its energetic and eccentric live performances, and the band has carved out a loyal following throughout the Midwest. While prepping for the upcoming tour (which will stop in Des Moines on February 12), Bowman carved out a few minutes to answer a few questions for AXS. Here is that interview.

AXS: How did Attic Light get its start?

Bowman: Before Attic Light, I was doing the singer/songwriter thing at coffee shops and open mics. One day, I decided I wanted to start using an electric guitar and adding more instruments to the songs. The first person I contacted was our bassist Patrick. He and I have been playing music together since high school in various projects. Through some mutual friends, we met our first lead guitarist and drummer and just started writing together. After about a year of hitting the Kansas City club scene, we decided to record our first record, Different Shades of Black. Michael and Joseph, our current guitarist and drummer, joined after that record was finished, just in time for our first tour in 2014.

AXS: The band is set to release a new EP entitled Exile. Tell readers about the new material and how it is different from the music on Different Shades of Black.

Bowman: Well for one, Michael and Joseph aren’t on the first record, so you’ll notice a different style of drumming on Exile as well as guitar from Michael. Different Shades of Black was self-produced by [the band] in a studio in Kansas City. We were in and out of the studio in a day or two, so the compositions are simpler, and the production is less complex. For Exile, we had the privilege of traveling to Nashville and working with producer Dohse in Left Plus Right Studio. We slept in the studio for a week, experimented with new sounds, worked with a great production team, and had time to be more creative in the studio than before. You’ll definitely notice the synths and keyboards in Exile that aren’t in the previous record.

AXS: When will fans be able to pick up a copy of Exile?

Bowman: The full EP will be released on March 18th. The first single, “Exile,” will be out January 15 to coincide with the start of the tour, and the second single, “Whiskey Love” will be released on February 12.

AXS: Tell fans a little about the tour.

Bowman: We toured in 2014, but since we began work on Exile, we haven’t been doing many shows, so we are itching to hit the road again. Touring is the best. Our mini-van was [previously] owned by a soccer mom so nobody messes with us—it still has the sticker of her kid’s team on the back window. The kid’s name is Erwin, so we named the van “Erwin.” The first leg of the tour coincides with the two single releases. We’ll be traveling through Texas for the first time, so we are looking forward to that. The tour will really kick in after the album release when it warms up a bit more and allows for better traveling.

AXS: What is the craziest thing that has happened at an Attic Light show over the years?

Bowman: [There are] too many to count. Once, we had a Minneapolis show that was double-booked. We had our gear on stage and ready to go, and 20 minutes to start of show we were told to take down our gear and leave because the other booking reserved the entire building. Out of sheer luck, a random person at the venue had his own show that night a block over, heard we were touring and got screwed out of this show, and offered to let us play his show instead. Another time in Minneapolis, we stumbled into a foam party at a club called “Gay 90’s” where one of us (I won’t mention names) met a girl and decided he didn’t want to drive home with us that night, insisting we leave without him. I picked him up at a Greyhound station two nights later in Kansas City. Something weird always happens when we’re in Minneapolis.

AXS: When you aren’t working on Attic Light music, whose music are you listening to?

Bowman: I’m not just saying this because of recent events, but David Bowie is a big one. My favorite record to listen to on the road is Ziggy Stardust. The late 70’s Berlin Trilogy stuff influenced not only the music on Exile, but the design and concept work as well. Prince and Depeche Mode are probably my favorite things to listen to. As far as more recent bands go, I really dig D’Angelo and Muse. I love music with a good dance beat.

AXS: After the Exile tour and release, what is next for the band?

Bowman: The Exile tour is really going to pick up after the release in March, so we’ll be spending most of the summer touring and hopefully doing some festivals. After that, we’ll start writing again and hopefully be back in Nashville sometime next year to record the next record. - axs.com

Attic Light, a relatively new Kansas City rock band, is known throughout the Midwest for its vigorous and eccentric live performances. Last summer they hit the studio; the result is the band’s new EP, The Exile, featuring a smoking lo-fi garage rock single, “Exile.”

The song could fit in nicely on a dark film soundtrack. It has a sinister presence with its repetitious and gritty guitar riff, brooding bass and reverb-laden, goth/hard rock vocals. The EP follows months of touring, appearing at lots of venues, regional radio stations, television programs, and publications throughout the heartland. The EP was recorded in Nashville with producer Dohse. - Indie Rock Cafe

Reader’s Choice Third Place: Nathan Bowman “Best Sexy Musician” - The Pitch (Kansas City)

In a music environment where most bands are trying to polish up, Attic Light keeps it true and gritty. Reminiscent of garage rock from the 90′s, you can just picture a bottle of Jack Daniel’s in a dark club and these guys killing it while the crowd remembers how to rock, and or roll. - Nathan James Dohse from AGD Entertainment (Nashville)

…they provide a new, exciting sound of danceable music. - examiner.com (Kansas City)

Nothing compares to the earnest, organic energy that good old rock n’ roll generates…Attic Light stands as a testament to that age old value. - St Joe LIVE (St Joseph)

This band is the definition of alternative rock... They had some very catchy guitar riffs in the song Help me Darlin’. The song Spotlight was extremely groovy. One Day Flu was so emotional and had so many great elements to it. I even heard a reference of System of a Down meets New Found Glory. - Project Backstage (Kansas City)