FAIRHAVEN

“Fairhaven is an energetic band with incredible live energy on stage. They bring out the best in the crowd to make everyone happy and involved. Sure to turn heads, this band is going MAJOR places. We here at the World Famous Whisky A Go-Go, are ecstatic to have this amazing band on our roster!”
- Bekah Stern, Asst. Booking Agent

“Fairhaven is an energetic band with incredible live energy on stage. They bring out the best in the crowd to make everyone happy and involved. Sure to turn heads, this band is going MAJOR places. We here at the World Famous Whisky A Go-Go, are ecstatic to have this amazing band on our roster!”
- Bekah Stern, Asst. Booking Agent

Hey, blogspot readers, fall has certainly arrived. And with that brings touring bands rockin' the local scene around town. Tonight was no exception at Elbo Room where Fairhaven (from Providence, RI) made a special detour as part of their Plan A tour to entertain the Monday night regulars (while competing against Bears football) featuring performances of semi-acoustic and piano pop/alternative rock music within an hour-long set. SouthSide in her research about this trio has been receiving buzz from music critics in which they are being compared to as"...one of the top up an coming bands" to "Coldplay meets Kings of Leon" for their "...polished songwriting and catchy vocals..." They have shared the stage with other national acts like Neon Trees, OK Go, The Doobie Brothers and many others as well as can be heard on the airwaves on New England radio stations. Recently, they released their second album - Plan A, a follow up to their debut titled Origins.

And judging from the audience (in between spectacular Bear plays on the big screen) and their warm reception to Fairhaven's live semi-acoustic performance, SouthSide highly recommends checking out this band at their next show (visit http://www.fairhavenband.com for tour dates and details). To say, this reviewer was floored by everything she had read (as well as heard off their http://www.reverbnation.com/fairhavenband page) would be a general understatement, blogspot readers. Words cannot begin to describe how the combination of harmonizing vocals (by Alan on guitar, Trevor on piano and Brian on drums) and powerful yet dynamic piano-driven rhythms fused together into one moving music floetry made this reviewer feel and reacted to such heartfelt lyrics and sound. It was simply amazing as well as refreshing to hear clear and crisp songwriting that was truly spoken from the heart and soul of its creator. You could literally feel the energy rising and then crescending into one fierce momentum of energy during Fairhaven's semi-acoustic version of Firefly. SouthSide liked how the trio of vocal harmonies brought to life the powerful meaning behind the words thus nicely matching the intensity and power of the music composed around them.

Or check out the band's song Hollow, blogspot readers, it was - in one word - breathtaking. Both music and lyrics seem to pop continuously throughout amidst the melodic rhythms and tone. Even with the piano being not the central focus of Fairhaven's sound, this trio still managed to make their acoustic sound pop vibrantly to match the vocals and music intensity under one accord especially during one particular song labeled as "a work in progress" but to SouthSide's ear's it had the sense of being the band's next hit. They knew how and when to bring the energy to the ears for dramatic emphasis as well as when to bring the intensity down to a calm to numb the heartfelt senses and/or bring you to tears. If this reviewer didn't know any better, there's a certain kind of magic within Fairhaven's music to which some (like local guys Makeshift Prodigy, The Loneliest Monk and a couple of others) can tap into and move the depths of your soul ...to actually feel or be inspired from what you've heard ...very heartfelt yet emotionally expressive.

That's what SouthSide left with after seeing Fairhaven's performance, blogspot readers. If you don't believe her, listen to the band's cover version of Beatles' Oh! Darling or Elton John's Rocket Man and not be moved by the strong vocals being poured into the microphone. They just might make you cry a little...


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide - South Side of ChGo

Fairhaven won a tight race at the 2009 WBRU Rock Hunt Finals at Lupo's on April 4. I was one of six judges (which also included record label reps and Johnny Lingo of former Rock Hunt victors Fungus Amungus), and the voting criteria consisted of six categories, including musicianship, songwriting, and radio-readiness. And we can't stress enough the benefit of 'BRU having Wendell Clough back at the helm as program director, as the four-hour throwdown ran smoothly and drew a great turnout.
After watching the Viennagram destroy Jerky's as the opening act of the semifinals, I was curious to see if they could repeat on a much larger scale, as Lupo's filled up quickly soon after the Viennagram's prompt 6 pm start. Ringleader A.V. Vienna was yucking it up on his podium, looking like Beetlejuice (or the ghost of Nick Cave) and keeping the crowd enthralled. And while their music isn't exactly radio-friendly, the live show is worth seeking out and pretty much redefines "concert experience." I counted at least 21 people on stage at one point, including a vaudevillian combo of Stevie Nicks and Mae West waving a plastic raygun (there were about five costume changes during the 40-minute set). Musically, the drums and trumpet and guitars locked in when they needed to amidst the shtick. And the delayed reaction between each song from some of the puzzled all-ages crowd was equally entertaining; I overheard a duo of Abercrombie kids concur that they were "one of those fucking weird Olney-ville bands."

Baylock (myspace.com/baylockmusic) bassist John Mclaughlin was hamming it up a bit too much but certainly having the time of his life, and didn't detract from the serious jam sessions on their centerpiece "Gone for Good," soaring beyond the six-minute studio version. The song starts like any other Sublime-style bonfire song before the quartet launches into full-blown, crowd-pleasing riffs, and there was no denying Baylock's rhythm section of Mclaughlin and drummer Matt Kirby. The stop-and-go improv seemed a little disjointed at times, but these guys had their fans chanting "Baylock! Baylock!" throughout the evening.

For the Love of Sloane (myspace.com/fortheloveof sloane) is just a few tweaks away from something really big. Songs such as "So What If" and "Bitter" and their set opener, "Drying Blue," show promise for Elese Morrone and crew. In terms of merch sales, FTLOS dominated, with fans sporting their shirts all over Lupo's, including Morrone's grandpa, wearing a purple Glo-necklace and black FTLOS tee. Nice. The female vocals and big power-pop hooks remind me of last year's victor, It Was the Best of Times (whose guitarist Bob Jack reports the band just returned from recording their debut full-length in Detroit), and though For the Love of Sloane understandably showed some nerves, there's no denying the band's songwriting ability.

Fairhaven (myspace.com/fairhavenri) closed out the show and walked away with the prizes (I had all four acts within three points of each other) — and lead singer Alan Connell probably could have walked out with your girlfriend, as the ladies were swooning for the Cumberland quartet. "Right before we went on, we were all nervous and excited, but we knew that all the progress we've made as a band had to come to that moment," drummer Jared Gould told me. "I don't think it was necessarily the best show we've ever played, but we were feeding off of the energy from the crowd more than anything.

"It was definitely a little intimidating watching the other three bands play, but we really just kept the mindset of playing the best show we possibly can and just leaving it all out on the stage."

Get your lighters out when you catch Fairhaven's live show — Connell's falsetto sweeps atop Trevor Gould's piano as they sink their big hooks in. They're in the realm of the Fray, Keane, Guster, and Zox, and if early cuts such as "Reunion" and "Catch" (which they continue to offer on a free EP at live shows) showed their potential, then the new track "The World Is Ours" may provide a course-altering moment for Fairhaven, and no doubt sealed the deal in front of the 750 or so fans at Lupo's.
Gould said of his competitors: "They are all incredibly talented musicians and performers, and we really had a great time speaking with them throughout the night. Southern New England's local music, even beyond the four bands at Lupo's, has so much to offer, and I am definitely proud to be a part of this scene." He said to expect a Fairhaven full-length around autumn and the band will continue to play the region through the summer.

What does WBRU have in store for Fairhaven in '09? Clough checked in via email after the dust settled on Washington Street: "Fairhaven will play a gig at our 2009 Venue Hunt winner [Firehouse 13] soon, and we are doing a Rock Hunt All-Stars-type show for that gig, as former winners and finalists will join Fairhaven for a great multi-band bill. And we certainly will be making the effort - Providence Phoenix, Chris Conti

Fairhaven won a tight race at the 2009 WBRU Rock Hunt Finals at Lupo's on April 4. I was one of six judges (which also included record label reps and Johnny Lingo of former Rock Hunt victors Fungus Amungus), and the voting criteria consisted of six categories, including musicianship, songwriting, and radio-readiness. And we can't stress enough the benefit of 'BRU having Wendell Clough back at the helm as program director, as the four-hour throwdown ran smoothly and drew a great turnout.
After watching the Viennagram destroy Jerky's as the opening act of the semifinals, I was curious to see if they could repeat on a much larger scale, as Lupo's filled up quickly soon after the Viennagram's prompt 6 pm start. Ringleader A.V. Vienna was yucking it up on his podium, looking like Beetlejuice (or the ghost of Nick Cave) and keeping the crowd enthralled. And while their music isn't exactly radio-friendly, the live show is worth seeking out and pretty much redefines "concert experience." I counted at least 21 people on stage at one point, including a vaudevillian combo of Stevie Nicks and Mae West waving a plastic raygun (there were about five costume changes during the 40-minute set). Musically, the drums and trumpet and guitars locked in when they needed to amidst the shtick. And the delayed reaction between each song from some of the puzzled all-ages crowd was equally entertaining; I overheard a duo of Abercrombie kids concur that they were "one of those fucking weird Olney-ville bands."

Baylock (myspace.com/baylockmusic) bassist John Mclaughlin was hamming it up a bit too much but certainly having the time of his life, and didn't detract from the serious jam sessions on their centerpiece "Gone for Good," soaring beyond the six-minute studio version. The song starts like any other Sublime-style bonfire song before the quartet launches into full-blown, crowd-pleasing riffs, and there was no denying Baylock's rhythm section of Mclaughlin and drummer Matt Kirby. The stop-and-go improv seemed a little disjointed at times, but these guys had their fans chanting "Baylock! Baylock!" throughout the evening.

For the Love of Sloane (myspace.com/fortheloveof sloane) is just a few tweaks away from something really big. Songs such as "So What If" and "Bitter" and their set opener, "Drying Blue," show promise for Elese Morrone and crew. In terms of merch sales, FTLOS dominated, with fans sporting their shirts all over Lupo's, including Morrone's grandpa, wearing a purple Glo-necklace and black FTLOS tee. Nice. The female vocals and big power-pop hooks remind me of last year's victor, It Was the Best of Times (whose guitarist Bob Jack reports the band just returned from recording their debut full-length in Detroit), and though For the Love of Sloane understandably showed some nerves, there's no denying the band's songwriting ability.

Fairhaven (myspace.com/fairhavenri) closed out the show and walked away with the prizes (I had all four acts within three points of each other) — and lead singer Alan Connell probably could have walked out with your girlfriend, as the ladies were swooning for the Cumberland quartet. "Right before we went on, we were all nervous and excited, but we knew that all the progress we've made as a band had to come to that moment," drummer Jared Gould told me. "I don't think it was necessarily the best show we've ever played, but we were feeding off of the energy from the crowd more than anything.

"It was definitely a little intimidating watching the other three bands play, but we really just kept the mindset of playing the best show we Get your lighters out when you catch Fairhaven's live show — Connell's falsetto sweeps atop Trevor Gould's piano as they sink their big hooks in. They're in the realm of the Fray, Keane, Guster, and Zox, and if early cuts such as "Reunion" and "Catch" (which they continue to offer on a free EP at live shows) showed their potential, then the new track "The World Is Ours" may provide a course-altering moment for Fairhaven, and no doubt sealed the deal in front of the 750 or so fans at Lupo's.
Gould said of his competitors: "They are all incredibly talented musicians and performers, and we really had a great time speaking with them throughout the night. Southern New England's local music, even beyond the four bands at Lupo's, has so much to offer, and I am definitely proud to be a part of this scene." He said to expect a Fairhaven full-length around autumn and the band will continue to play the region through the summer.

What does WBRU have in store for Fairhaven in '09? Clough checked in via email after the dust settled on Washington Street: "Fairhaven will play a gig at our 2009 Venue Hunt winner [Firehouse 13] soon, and we are doing a Rock Hunt All-Stars-type show for that gig, as former winners and finalists will join Fairhaven for a great multi-band bill. And we certainly will be making the effort to get them on a WBRU Summer Concert Series show as well. - 95.5 WBRU, Wendell Gee (Music Director)

Lupos - The Anchor, Eddie Taylor

I never imagined Fairhaven's arena-sized piano-pop rock sound could get any more "mature and polished" than the swooning anthems on their 2010 debut Origins, but that's how Fairhaven lead singer Alan Connell described the new album, Plan A, when he sent a copy my way a few weeks back. He wasn't kidding.

Fans of the Fray, Kings of Leon, and Coldplay should be lining up for the Plan A release party at the Met, as Connell has an undeniable gift when it comes to writing achy-breaky anthems. The Rock Hunt judges (myself included) just about got booed out of Lupo's when Fairhaven won in 2009, but Connell remains confident about the band's sound. In fact, when asked if Fairhaven is out to conquer any particular demographic, he replied with a patent-pending genre of its own: "We call it 'EpPock', or Epic Pop Rock, a very diverse sound that appeals to all ages," he told me.

When I wrote about the band around the time of the release of Origins, I was almost caught off-guard by the specific timeline and career trajectory they had mapped out (full-time management and national booking agent, label offers, etc.), particularly considering they were all barely in their 20s. But their debut tracks —"Singularity," "On a Chase," "Can't Let Go," and "The World Is Ours" — put the band's knack for piano-powered hooks and songwriting on full display. Following the Rock Hunt victory and album, Fairhaven (with added percussionist/guitarist Brian Moura) won over crowds throughout 2010 while opening for acts like Zox, Guster, Neon Trees, and even the Doobie Brothers last year in Newport.

With the new album comes a change in personnel, as former bassist Nick Pagano and drummer Jared Gould (brother of pianist Trevor) left the band to "explore other career opportunities," according to Connell. The trio utilized one of the fan-pledge donation sites and landed enough money to record the album out in Cali with producer Jeff Watson, a founding member of Night Ranger ("Sister Christian" is exactly in Fairhaven's wheelhouse), who turned out to be an ideal partner. Plan A follows the Fairhaven formula of quiet-to-soaring love songs, with big swaths of piano and guitar swaying across the album.

The KoL-inspired openers "The World Is Waiting" and "Fear" rock out harder than just about anything on the debut, a new strength developed through their live work. "On record they lean toward the Coldplay vibe, but onstage they can loosen up and rock their material a bit harder," noted WBRU program director Wendell Clough. Connell's vocal harmonies through on the catchy cuts "Symmetry (Crazy For You)" and "Same As Then," while the latter half settles down with the mellower numbers "Faith and Desire" and "Where You Are." Admittedly, Fairhaven's sound is about the polar opposite of the unpolished indie-rock noise of the 1990s I still obsess over, but there's no denying the talent and confidence of Connell and his mates. Plan A is a solid sophomore effort and everything one would expect from Fairhaven, and I wouldn't be surprised if "Fear" attracts plenty of attention this summer.

The band recently hired a national management group and plan to coordinate a US tour later this year. In the meantime, pick up a copy of Plan A starting this weekend.

FAIRHAVEN + KINGSTON 530 + THE CRINGE + LAST ONE OUT | Friday, May 25 @ 8:30 pm | The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket | $12, all ages | 401.729.1005 | fairhavenband.com



Read more: http://providence.thephoenix.com/music/138984-fairhaven-makes-it-epic-on-plan-a/#ixzz21hELwgN2 - Providence Phoenix, Chris Conti

Fairhaven's back in town, signing drum skins for $25 a pop to keep their music machine going after two months in Mill Valley, Calif., living, breathing and creating their sophomore release "Plan A" with the producer and founding band member from the '80s band Night Ranger that hit the top with "Sister Christian."

Brian Moura's main gig is now drums, although he'll still play guitar at times, replacing Jared Gould, who left the band on a "make it or break it" self-imposed timetable.

"It's kind of our story about how we want to make this our career," Moura said, "overcoming fear, overcoming obstacles."

Gould's brother, Trevor, is still here. He co-founded the band when the guys were growing up in Cumberland on Fairhaven Road.

"There's a lot of keys like there's always been with Fairhaven tunes, and there's a lot of more percussive stuff in this album," Trevor Gould said. "The vocals on this CD are very passionate and better written, I would say."

Bassist Nick Pagano left too, but the band picked up Mat Sunday, who has an ear for success.

They're happy to be the opening act, for now.

"Hopefully, work our way up to, you know, switch around the situation," Sunday said.

Along with newest band member Sunday comes his recording space and practice space for the rest of the band in Attleboro.

"I've been playing music all my life, so I would love to do something big with it," Sunday said.

Lead singer Alan Connell has been with Fairhaven from the start. He has the confidence and drive, now with management that's connected to headlining bands, to take Fairhaven to the national stage.

"Take it, take it full time, tour, tour the nation, see the world, meet a lot of people," Connell said.

You can catch Fairhaven for their "Plan A" CD release party at The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, on Friday night. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. They hit the stage around 10. - WPRI NBC 10 , R.J. Heim