FOXTRAX

FOXTRAX satisfyingly, push the boundaries of indie rock to its grungiest edges - Pancakes & Whiskey

FOXTRAX are making moves. The New York-bred, L.A.-based indie band released their terrific debut EP The Cabin last year and 2017 is off to a hot start, thanks to their recent showcases at SXSW and upcoming tour with Barns Courtney (not to mention their wild performance at the Vestal Village during Coachella). - AXS

This is just the beginning for the talented indie rockers - Baeble

With adventure in their sights and a fearless determination to get the Led out, the band is on the way to becoming a household name - ARTNOISE

Anthemic jams are in FOXTRAX’s bones. Regardless of whether the Long Island-bred trio is channeling stadium-ready alt. rock or folksy vibes, the upstart rockers explode into a fervent, upbeat chorus. And, while they’ve just released just one EP called The Cabin, the Ticketmaster New Music Favorite ❤️ are already on a roll. Now based in Los Angeles, FOXTRAX have been a regular on SiriusXM’s Alt. Nation with their single “Underwater,” they’ll be an official showcase artist at South by Southwest 2017 — and things are continuing to look up.

The trio — Ben Schneid (vocals, guitar) and brothers Jon Stenz (drums) and Jared Stenz (bass) — officially began just last year after graduating college and moving to New York City. And it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing.


“We played our first show at this place called Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn,” says Jared Stenz in Ticketmaster Insider’s exclusive video interview with the band. “I don’t think it exists anymore. I’m pretty sure they closed it down. But let me tell you, fine folks out there, we were not that good. It was fun, but uh, we just weren’t that great.”

Jared Stenz of FOXTRAX at Mercury Lounge
Jared Stenz (bass) of FOXTRAX at Mercury Lounge
The childhood friends from Oceanside, N.Y. persevered, eventually deciding to record their debut in a cabin in North Carolina. Schneid remembers that they were hanging in their little studio when they first decided to take the trip to the Appalachian Mountains. “We were just talking about how sick it would be to get out of our own town and our own little world and go escape for a minute. We didn’t really think twice about it. We just kind of went for it.”

FOXTRAX did eventually perfect their live show, too. Before moving to L.A. at the end of 2015, the group played shows at iconic New York City clubs like The Bitter End and Mercury Lounge, the Lower East Side venue that helped break The Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They returned to the Mercury Lounge this summer for a spirited sold-out EP launch show, which is memorialized in video below.


FOXTRAX then decamped to the West Coast, where they reveled in the sun and met producer Ben Roulston. The English producer, who has worked with Florence + the Machine, Noel Gallagher and even Nas, was quickly sold after hearing demos of The Cabin. Just a few months later, FOXTRAX had a professionally-recorded EP. Not too shabby for three dudes who began a band last year.

The Cabin is packed with promise, despite being only five songs and 17 minutes long. It begins with a bang: the glittery opening riffs on “Go It Alone” lead into an empowering alt. rock jam. “Dark Of The Night,” a breathy track, channels melodic indie rock ala Death Cab For Cutie before bursting into a foot-stomping rocker. “On The Run” has a Southern rock tinge to it that bears a resemblance to Kings of Leon. And the closer “I’ll Be Back For You” is a heartfelt folk rocker that showcases the softer side of the band.

FOXTRAX at Mercury Lounge
Ben Schneid (vocals, guitar) and Jon Stenz (drums) of FOXTRAX at Mercury Lounge
But it’s the second track called “Underwater,” an upbeat-yet-introspective tune, which has pushed the band to bigger success. “I just can’t sit here and wonder,” sings Schneid. “Waiting on the sun in the summer.” And then comes a crescendo into an explosive, sing-along chorus. It’s the sort of song that just begs to be played while driving down the highway on a sunny day.


The video for “Underwater,” which depicts Schneid running in the desert in search of his band mates, is also a must-watch. The front man relentlessly searches, finding nothing but mirages of a huge soda bottle and an angelic woman, until he comes across the ultimate brain blunder: seeing himself singing with the band but not being able to get to them.

It’s an impressive debut, but the guys aren’t taking a break anytime soon. They each have dreams of collaborating with major music stars: for Schneid, it’s R&B mastermind D’Angelo; for Jared Stenz, it’s Bruce Springsteen (“I think a lot of our inspiration comes from that style of music,” he says). And they’re bound to catch more ears — and lots of opportunities — at SXSW 2017.

FOXTRAX are poised to take rock clubs across the country by storm in the near future, that’s for sure. In the meantime, watch the three longtime friends hang and chat about their favorite spots in Long Island, what it was like to move to L.A. — and a very animated answer on what their most used emoji is. (Hint: It’s definitely not a smiley face.)

Watch FOXTRAX’s recent Ticketmaster Music On The Roof Performance Video - Ticketmaster

FOXTRAX PRE-SHOW RITUAL


Before shows, it’s all about the silliness for Foxtrax. “We just kind of like to get a little goofy, chill out, get loose, feel light and limber,” says bassist Jared Stenz. And it shows: before Ben Schneid, we’ve definitely never seen a guitarist wind up his instrument like a baseball bat during practice (you must watch the video).

The three-piece alt rockers also drink a lot of water and, surprisingly, it’s gotten Schneid into some trouble before. “Actually back when we were living in New York City, we drank so much water that we get stuck in terrible traffic and along the way, I have these crazy memories of Ben just having to pee in a bottle,” remembers drummer Jon Stenz.

It’s all worth it once they hit the stage. “Feeling the vibes, walk up on stage. There’s just an energy,” says Schneid, who vividly remembers a recent sold out show at New York City’s Mercury Lounge. “The crowd’s dark. They don’t actually turn the lights on until the energy hits that peak.” - Ticketmaster

Hometown: Oceanside, NY
Latest Music Release: The Cabin EP (Download their single “Underwater” )*
See Them Live: Coming Soon
If You Like: Foster the People, Mumford and Sons, Young the Giant
FYI: FOXTRAX recorded their first EP holed up in a cabin in Appalachia for six weeks

FOXTRAX may have only formed in 2015 but they’ve gone from 0-100 faster than you can say “headliner.” Their debut EP, The Cabin, introduced fans to their single “Underwater” which has been featured everywhere from Apple Music’s Alternative Spotlight to Sirius XM’s Advanced Placement channel. After the band finished recording in North Carolina, they high-tailed it to Los Angeles to take the alt-pop world by storm.

Check out our exclusive behind-the-scenes video below to get to know FOXTRAX, and add FOXTRAX to your Favorites at Ticketmaster to stay up to date when they have a show coming up near you. - Ticketmaster

PROS
The band has worked on creating an amazing image
The quality overall is great and it shows hard work
Lyrically pretty strong and not depending on the cliche
The instruments and the voice go together perfectly creating a must have EP
My favorite track: Underwater
CONS
I need a full album now


Foxtrax delivers an amazing debut EP with ‘The Cabin’ .Each song has the ability to stand on its own and to becoming that single that gets everyone listening. It delivers on every aspect and that is so strange to find specially in a debut EP or album. Plus I love the fact that they worked hard to ensure that every aspect of the album was up to their high standard.

From the music, to the artwork, to the lyrics and everything, the whole package is just amazing and a must have EP. And since it’s a must have, well this time I want you to have one (yeah, it’s true). I have two copies of ‘The Cabin EP’ that will be giving away to one of you lucky and gorgeous people(I mean lucky, the EP is amazing – have it on my car 24/7 since I got it). Check out the facebook, instagram and twitter for the how to get your free copy. - Wolf In a Suit

Summary:
FOXTRAX release their debut EP, The Cabin, a heartfelt indie rock collection reflecting a sense of purpose and adventure in the start of their journey.


FOXTRAX are a trio of Long Island boys with a rustic sensibility and an endearing charm, set on capturing your heart with their debut release of The Cabin: a 5-track EP developed from 6 weeks of demo sessions secluded in Northern Carolina woods. In a little over a year these indie rockers have ambitiously set out from their roots in Oceanside, NY all the way out to Los Angeles, garnering notable attention along the way.

Listening to the band play it’s hard to believe that Ben Schneid, with brothers Jared and Jon Stenz came together to play music only since early 2015. From the indie calls for making it on your own in “Go It Alone” to the rock and roll cries of “I’ll Be Back For You” the sonic craftsmanship is undeniably catchy. Their recent story may come from trailing fox tracks in the snow, but the trio’s origins go back further: playing Little League together, writing high school newspaper articles, delegates in model UN competitions. By the end of college the move to write music together seems a natural transition.
The FOXTRAX release of The Cabin becomes further accentuated with the accompanying music video for the “Underwater” track: a visual trek of a man stranded in the desert, grasping at every given mirage that comes across his path. As you follow around singer Schneid the sense of his words start to sink in where, “My eyes are wide but I can’t say what’s going on.” Much like their ‘foxtrax’ namesake, the desert run is an adventurous trip that could lead just about anywhere. Let’s hope The Cabin is the beginning of many things to come as FOXTRAX sets out on their musical journey. - The Celebrity Cafe

When three band members travel to North Carolina to sequester themselves in a secluded cabin for six weeks, they’re either going to drive each other crazy or create some thoughtful, memorable music. Thankfully for Long Island natives Ben Schneid (vocals, guitar) and brothers Jon and Jared Stenz (drums and bass, respectively), also known as Foxtrax, it was the latter: a collection of demos that would become The Cabin. Foxtrax relocated to Los Angeles where producer/engineer Ben Roulston (Florence and the Machine, Wolf Alice) gave the demos a fresh mix and engineer Brian Lucey (Arctic Monkeys, Cage the Elephant, Black Keys) came onboard to remaster. The Cabin, which came out in July, had music critics and fans raving, leading to a sold-out release show at Mercury Lounge in New York City. Foxtrax has been named in Live Nation’s “Ones to Watch,” and their debut single “Underwater” is an Alternative Spotlight track on iTunes and has been featured on SiriusXM’s Alt Nation channel, Advanced Placement. The band will be opening for Barns Courtney on several West Coast dates starting this month. In a nod to how it all started, Foxtrax was named for the fox tracks in the snow outside the North Carolina cabin, which the three felt represented their own unpredictable and meandering path into music. - BMI

Listening to ‘The Cabin’ EP will propel you forward two months directly into summer. Play “Underwater” (below) and I guarantee you will be transported to the seaside, reminiscing about day drinking, long evenings, and waking up slow without the dreaded assistance of a vibrating smartphone.

Listen to Go It Alone by Foxtrax

Foxtrax are made up of New York threesome; Ben Schneid (Vocals, Guitar) Jared Stenz (Bass) and Jon Stenz (Drums). Despite hailing from New York there is no evidence of the hustle and bustle synonymous with big city life evident in their music. It’s much more suited to the Californian beaches where they currently reside. They have a residency in a trendy venue in Santa Monica and are touring California up until early May…. Not a bad gig.

Foxtrax successfully sliced through the saturated scene in New York, because of their ability to produce a contemporary catchy chorus and haunting hook, all the while staying true to an authentic 60’s soul style, bluesy sound.

If you had to make comparisons, the likes of; Foster The People, Kings Of Leon, Coldplay and Foals would be in the conversation, however as much as certain segments of their songs are reminiscent of these bands, others are quite the contrary resulting in an all-round familiar yet unique sound. This is evident all over ‘The Cabin’ EP in which emotive lyrics, intricate instrumentals and pop-anthem style choruses allow Foxtrax to effortlessly and effectively weave between genres.

Give the full EP a go and I think you will agree that the seriously easy-listening tunes are ready for the radio. Importantly, Foxtrax are guilty of producing an extremely fun live performance. Although the band was only formed in early 2015, it seems like they have been gigging for years – they are tighter than a hipster’s jeans.

Good News! Rumour has it; Foxtrax will be travelling across the pond later this year. So keep an eye out for a band that is an undeniably enthralling prospect coming to a gig space near you.

Make sure you never miss a gig; download the TicketWeb App now and make Foxtrax one of your favourite artists! - Ticketweb Blog

Imagine yourself in a quaint wooden cabin in the middle of the woods, sparking up a remedying fire and warming a bowl of chicken noodle soup, all while thoroughly taking in the beautiful scenery outside your window.

….This is the kind of environment where we’d imagine Foxtrax playing softly in the background, and funny enough, it is also the exact setting where Foxtrax’s forthcoming The Cabin EP was created. The New York-dwelling trio spent over a month in a North Carolina cabin to write their debut record, returned to the city to add the finishing touches, and ultimately managed to maintain that pure, little-house-on-the-prairie style in all five songs.

With their classic bluesy vocal styles and contemporary indie rock arrangements, Foxtrax will likely appeal to folk, rock, indie, and pop lovers alike. We’ve got your first listen of the full EP below, ahead of its official release (and accompanying music video) on July 1.

If you’re digging what you hear and happen to live in the Los Angeles area, join us at Molly Malone’s tonight, June 29, to see it all happen live–tickets available here. - Live Nation - Ones To Watch

Sounds like: Young the Giant, Kings of Leon, Walk the Moon

Why do we like this?
The most vivid memory I have of escaping to anything resembling a cabin in the woods is from a high school canoeing retreat on the Colorado River. I returned from that trip with an aching body from way too much canoeing, severe sunburns from way too little sunscreen, and a soul scarred from about a week’s worth of angsty insecurities.

Safe to say things turned out a bit better for New York-bred, L.A.-based indie rockers FOXTRAX when they took wooded shelter for six weeks in North Carolina after graduating college and emerged with a beautiful debut EP fittingly titled The Cabin.

Bursting with bright lead guitar and cascading vocals from Ben Schneid, ultra-smooth bass from Jared Stenz, and explosive drums from Jon Stenz, it’s pulsing with fresh creative hunger throughout five radio-ready tracks, each mixed by Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence and the Machine) and mastered by Brian Lucey (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys). My personal favorite is this one, “Underwater,” an uber-catchy foot-tapper that to me feels reminiscent of Young the Giant’s widely acclaimed early work and is a strong candidate to soundtrack my next top down joyride along the coast.

I also happened to see them live at their second EP release show a couple of nights ago at Molly Malone’s in L.A., and the intimacy with which they performed was palpable. These are three buddies who understand each other deeply, feed off of each other’s energy, and put on a really damn good show. Time to hop on the FOXTRAX train, and definitely make sure to catch them rockin' a stage near you if you’re in California this summer. - Indie Shuffle

A trio from New York that we were just introduced to, FOXTRAX could be on to some big things in the alternative genre with their debut EP – The Cabin EP. The EP features art-heavy alternative music that uses some synths but still manages to sound completely organic. That’s in large part due to the EP’s inspiration.

When brothers Jared and Jon Stenz and their friend Ben Schneid decided that they didn’t want the city to influence their first recording session, they decided to go to a cabin in the woods of North Carolina to write music. That's where the EP name “The Cabin” comes in. Where they wrote the EP is a spiritual fourth member of the band on the EP. You can hear the haunting effect that the surroundings had in the mood of their music. You can also hear the impression that the amount of quiet reflection they did on their trip has in their lyrics too. There’s a lot of reflection done here and it’s nice to hear. The inspiration drives a lot of the EP, but it’s cool because this five song EP is pretty varied from track to track. They’ll use synths in spots – but everything manages to stay pretty organic.

These guys remind me a lot of The Fray in their very early days, they write good songs that are personal and reflective. They use accenting guitars and synths but they don’t let anything overpower the song. They play songs together the way they wrote the songs together. I see some big things coming from FOXTRAX, especially if they continue to follow their own path. This is an EP that’s worth listening to. - Alterative Addiction

Another new band that could become huge soon: FOXTRAX -Ben Schneid and brothers Jon and Jared Stenz- is an Alternative Pop/Pop Rock band from Long Island, New York, now based In Los Angeles.
Though the three guys have been together for a relatively short time, forming as a band in early 2015, they have just delivered a surprisingly mature debut EP, The Cabin.
FOXTRAX spent six weeks writing and recording demos for what would eventually become The Cabin EP in a cabin in the woods of North Carolina a year and a half ago (that's where the title comes from). In February of this year, producer/engineer Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence + the Machine, Marc Almond) heard the tracks from the EP and after reaching out to the band, aided the production with a fresh mix. Brian Lucey (Arctic Monkeys, Cage The Elephant, The Black Keys) also connected with the band's sound and completed the EP with a professional master.
The EP release show at New York's Mercury lounge was a sell-out and their infectiously catchy debut single Underwater was #1 on Apple's "New Artist Spotlight" and was also featured on SiriusXm's Alt. Nation channel "Advanced Placement" show.
Talking about their sound, FOXTRAX have been compared to bands like Kings Of Leon, The Killers and Coldplay. I would add British band Keane: take for example the EP's opener Go It Alone and tell me if it doesn't sound like a mix of Keane and alternative/indietronic act Foster The People (with a touch of Under The Influence Of Giants too)!
However, this is an awesome mini-album from start to finish: stream it on SoundCloud and judge by yourselves. - weChameleon

Once upon a time, not too long ago (actually one year ago)

Three young men, Ben Schneid, Jared Stenz, and Jon Stenz,

Childhood friends from Long Island, NY,

Decided to form a band and gather in a cabin located in the woods of North Carolina for five weeks:

There was born FOXTRAX;they’ve been writing, arranging and self-producing their debut EP, titled ‘The Cabin’, out this July 1st.

Back in New York, Reed Black helped to finalize the production & mix

Their work already caught attention as in February of this year, producer Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence and the Machine) heard their debut EP “The Cabin”

And aided the new production with a fresh mix.

Brian Lucey, (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys) also connected with the band’s sound and completed the EP with a professional master.



Compared to authentic bands such as Coldplay, FOXTRAX brings thrills and chill

With a sensitive poetry and emotive vocals. Plus the minimalist formation of the band makes it more authentic.

Although, an indie-rock band, they’ve got these folk flavors.

Besides, quite born entertainers, they’re preparing two significant events,

Their release Parties:
New York – Mercury Lounge – June 24 Tickets: bit.ly/FoxtraxEPNY
Los Angeles – Molly Malone’s – June 29 Tickets: bit.ly/foxtraxEPLA - Sounds So Beautiful

Saying that Foxtrax put some enthusiasm in their performance would certainly be an understatement. The young and upcoming band was playing at Molly Malone’s on Wednesday night, in anticipation of the release (on July1st) of their five track EP, ‘The Cabin’, recorded and produced by Reed Black [Karen O, Vampire Weekend, Erin McKeown]) and Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence and the Machine).

The trio made of Jon Stenz on drums, Jared Stenz on bass and Ben Schneid on vocals and guitar,was on fire and played a fierce set, putting a lot of energy and sweat in their intricate songs, which couldn’t be easily labeled one way or another. The music was most of the time intense and cathartic, with a bit of blues, jazz and of course rock ‘n’ roll. They have been compared to Foster The People, Kings Of Leon, Coldplay and Foals and if I didn’t really hear much of all these artists, I though that their charismatic frontman Ben Schneid, constantly standing on toes, tense veins in the neck, was singing with the force of a young Springsteen, and the physique of a Chris Martin… to pursue the Coldplay comparison… There was a lot of dynamism and muscles in their performance and their style was producing some big uplifts, with a bloating sound making everyone clap of enthusiasm, during ‘Indie Rocker B’, or even bluesy instrumentals – ‘Last Chance Blues’, a song that Schneid introduced with a ‘This is where we come from’.

They are a young and fresh band from Long Island, NY, formed very recently at the beginning of 2015, but they already had an impressive stage presence and especially an amazing confidence in their music and impulsive songs. You could say they are an indie or alt-rock band, but the surprising eclectic musical twists, combined with the dynamism they displayed on stage, didn’t produce a dull moment. They actually were the type of band to convince anyone of their brilliance and passion at the first live show.

Many of their songs had a modern angle, often nursing an anthem for chorus, very often turning into a bombast that would eventually swell and burst during some of their songs, and they were certainly mixing the genres, looking like a modest indie band with a U2 envy. And I am not saying this pejoratively, even as a trio, their sound was big and triumphant, even ambitious, with a stadium view in sight.

With the same enthusiasm they had shown all set long, they told us they had now declared LA their new home, visibly happy to live the California dream, and singing a song ‘about leaving NY’, ‘City of Lights’.

Despite an athletic performance and a few jumps on the drum set, it wasn’t all about muscles and testosterone, there were a few cool and breezy falsettos and sentimental howls.

For an emerging band, I could tell there were already many very fervent fans in the room, furthermore, they sold out the Mercury Lounge in New York City a few days ago. Now, the very confident Foxtrax just has to conquer the rest of the world

Setlist
Feeling Alright
Indie Rocker B
Go It Alone
Last Chance Blues
Waiting For You
Dark of the Night
On the Run
Everything’s Changing
City of Lights
Underwater
I’ll Be Back For You - Rock NYC Live and Recorded

It is fair to say that at times 2016 hasn’t been a great year, not just in the (barely) United Kingdom, but worldwide (did someone say Trump?). And whilst burying our collective heads in the sand solves nothing, sometimes a little escapism can go a long way.

Which is exactly what The Cabin from New York’s FOXTRAX provides. Their debut EP is a wonderful mix of upbeat, happy, and melodically catchy indie-pop that seems to be able to transport the listener to a happy place, like green grass and blue skies on a summery Sunday afternoon.

Three childhood friends Ben Schneid (Vocals, Guitar), Jared Stenz (Bass) and Jon Stenz (Drums) got together after college graduation, and booked a cabin in North Carolina for five weeks where they wrote, arranged and self-produced the five tracks that would became, rather appropriately, The Cabin.

After the recording Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence and the Machine) heard the EP and reached out, providing some new production and a mix. Brian Lucey (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys) offered his significant mastering skills. The end result is an EP that went from a young band’s DIY job, to a polished and professional debut, with help from a couple of industry heavyweights. Their sound is clearly influenced by the UK indie scene, such as Interpol (musically at least), as well as more recent acts such as The Wombats, and Catfish and the Bottlemen.

‘Underwater’ is the most radio ready, the verses propelled by bass and drums, the lead guitar providing some great hooks whilst the song revolves around the up beat chorus. ‘Dark of the Night’ starts off more low key, the drums leaning on the ride cymbal, giving a hint of shoegaze, before Schneid sings ‘In the darkest of the night, I’ll be stuck in middle, waiting for the light.’ Whilst it is lyrically ambiguous, it will certainly be a line that is remembered, as it is the catchiest chorus on the album.



‘I’ll Be Back for You’ closes out the EP, and is a bit of a departure compared to the other four songs, with a shuffling groove and an alt-country influence. The recordings only guitar solo helps build the song to a fantastic multi-layered closing chorus, and is a great way to finish. In general, the songs follow a fairly predictable structure, fortunately though is isn’t too noticeable. Every chorus has a hook, the mood is upbeat, happy, and melodically warm.



FOXTRAX are certainly on the pop side of indie-pop, but not in a deliberately commercial way. The three piece got together with the aim of writing and recording some songs in a cabin, with the hope that one day people would get to hear it. The result is five songs that display a great deal of musical and songwriting maturity from a relatively young band.

At the very least, The Cabin should evoke a smile on the face of the listener, and in an increasingly uncertain world, music that makes us happy can never be a bad thing.


Read more at http://www.rightchordmusic.co.uk/band-week-foxtrax/#WhccIlcC6JF2Yi3C.99 - Right Chord Music

Shortly after their formation only a year ago, indie trio Foxtrax retreated to the mountains of North Carolina to record their new EP, The Cabin. Out now, the EP is a direct reflection of the band's experiences recording in a secluded cabin and the struggles and lessons that came along with it. Now, the band is looking toward the future, with a few tour dates coming up at the end of the summer (more to be announced soon) and a music video for their single, "Underwater" releasing later this month. Read what they had to say below!

Interview by Dom Vigil

Can you tell us a little bit about Foxtrax for any readers who may not be familiar?

Hey everyone! We're an alternative rock band from New York City, now living in LA. Shortly after forming we ventured off to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to write and record what would become our debut EP "The Cabin". During our time there we'd go on long hikes through the snowy mountains to stay inspired. We soon discovered fox tracks in the snow. We'd follow the tracks and they would lead us to really cool, undiscovered parts of the forrest. It was then that we realized this was a metaphor for what we were doing in our own lives. We were following our own personal "Foxtrax", that lead us to music and to each other. Since then it's been our goal to inspire people to follow their dreams (their own personal "Foxtrax") wherever they may lead.


You guys just released your new EP, The Cabin on July 1st. What are you most excited for listeners to hear on it?

Were proud of all the songs on "The Cabin", but if we had to choose one it would be our single "Underwater". We really think it showcases who we are and where we're going.


The Cabin is a very fitting title, considering it was written and recorded in a cabin in North Carolina. How do you think the setting affected the sounds on the EP?

Something amazing happens when you play music in the mountains. The sound reverberates for miles. The power of a single note echoing out into the void definitely influenced the sonic landscape.


Having only been a band for about a year, what was the learning experience like working on the EP? Did you come across any challenges that you had to overcome?

As an artist your always coming to grips with your own limitations and trying to create clever ways to break through them. We learned very quickly to follow our instincts and to keep it simple. Not overthinking can be difficult at times for a young band but it's the only way. Our goal is to channel the energy around us into songs that resonate with people.


What was the most rewarding part about working on The Cabin?

Recording a record is an amazing journey. To pour your heart and soul into a project and see it grow from the dream stages all the way through recording and release is beyond gratifying. For us, sharing our music and inspiring people is what it's all about.


You also worked with Ben Roulston and Brian Lucey on the EP - how do you feel they affected it? What were they able to bring to the table?

Working with Ben and Brian has been amazing. We loved Ben's work with Florence and the Machine and Brian has mastered records from so many of our favorite modern artists like the Arctic Monkeys and Black Keys. Those guys just know how to make a record SOUND good.


What would you like listeners to be able to take away from The Cabin?

We want our listeners to feel inspired and connected. Life can be funny sometimes. One minute you're on top of the world and the next you're lower than you've ever been. We want people to listen to the record and know that they are truly capable of anything. That they're not alone. That we as people are stronger connected than apart. That its ok to question everything and to venture out on your own to find the answers.


With the album out now, can fans expect any tour dates or any other exciting news?

Well be playing around the west coast this summer with a UK tour on the horizon, likely beginning at the end of October. You can find all of our live dates on our website: Foxtraxband.com


I saw you recently filmed a music video for “Underwater” - when can we expect to check that out?

We're so excited about the video! Ivanna Smyrnova, Frank Borin and the whole Lucid Media team crushed it for us!! The video will premiere late July (TBC) we can't wait to share it with you!


Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you would like to add?

Stay hungry, stay foolish, and follow your foxtrax! - Prelude Press

What does the FoxTrax band say?

They say it with plenty of self-motivating lyrics fused with blues driven guitars and a classic rock N’ roll vibe that results in a new indie pop sound. It’s organic and unique.

Ben Schneid (vocals/guitar), Jon Stenz (drums) and Jared Stenz (bass) celebrated the release of their new EP, “The Cabin” at Molly Malones in Los Angeles last night.

Their EP and band name was inspired after a trip to North Carolina. The band was staying at a cabin in the mountains in hopes of finding musical inspiration. What the band found were fox tracks in the snow that led them to their name and life philosophy—“follow your foxtrax.”

It’s hard to believe that these guys have only made music for a year now. This Long Island trio sound like seasoned professionals that have toured together for a decade.


The band kicked off the night with “Feeling Alright.” Just imagine an electric blend of Foster The People, The Doors and Graham Colton Band.

During the second song, “Indie Rocker B,” Schneid encouraged the audience to clap, dance and move in closer to the stage. They were determined to make sure the audience had as much fun as they did that night.

“This next song will show you where we came from,” said Schneid.

“Go It Alone” is about leaving the past behind you and going out in the world to do something great--Much like the band did as they left New York to pursue their dreams in Los Angeles.

“I grew up with all these houses on my street/ Each one looked the same/ Now I yearn so hard to get out on my feet/ So I run, to where it’s calling for me.”

You can feel the honesty in Schneid’s delivery. His rhythm guitar accompanies the soulful bass with the steady drum beats. The best part is nothing was overdone here. No flashing bells and whistles to drive the point. This was three musicians sharing an intimate part of their lives.

“Last Chance Blues,” “Dark of the Night” and “Everything’s Changing” follows the bluesy alternative theme of longing for something better.

“On the Run” was a grittier tune while “Waiting for You” and “City of Lights” shows off more of the band's classic rock arrangements.


Not only talented musicians but they proved to be quite the shows men as well.


Drummer Jon Stenz would twirl and toss his drumsticks in the air like a Color Guard from a marching band, Schneid would leap from the drum stand on occasion and at one point Bassist Jared Stenz was able to squat down on his heels during a solo without missing a chord!

These guys were quick like foxes so no photo was able to be caught of these zany stage antics.

The biggest highlight of the night was “Underwater.” The band just finished shooting a two day music video in the desert for this song. This song stood out among the others with its beautiful ambient vocal echoes and psychedelic bass chords.

Foxtrax closed out the night with “I’ll Be Back For You.” With their mature attention to detail and desire to incorporate the new with the classics—Foxtrax will be back.

The band made you feel you like you were in their living room while they played songs for their closest friends. With their charming demeanor and their inspiring lyrics, I left the venue wanting to follow my own foxtrax.

Setlist:

Feeling Alright
Indie Rocker B
Go It Alone
Last Chance Blues
Waiting For You
Dark Of The Night
On The Run
Everything’s Changing
City of Lights
Underwater
I’ll Be Back For You - On The Flipside

Sometimes people have to move away in order to be appreciated where they came from, although that’s hardly possible in the case of indie rock trio Foxtrax who can look at a sizable, loyal fanbase already. Beginning of 2016, the three New Yorker (Long Island to be precise) took their instruments, their already recorded material and headed out West to meet with producers there. Can’t blame them because East Coast winters are brutal and they had the chance to work with some well-known experts in the music industry who took notice of the gifted trio.

Needless to say, Mercury Lounge was sold out that Friday night and Foxtrax played in front of an enthusiastic crowd who truly celebrated the release of “Cabin“. For this very special New York concert Ben Schneid (vocals, guitar), Jared Stenz (bass) and Jon Stenz (drums) were skillfully supported live by Alex Grimes (viola) and Rob Araujowhich (keys), which made for a rich and beautiful sound. All in attendance agreed that this was a show to remember, because Foxtrax are fantastic live!

Foxtrax made it back to their new home in Los Angeles already and might not be back for a while. Luckily, there’s some reassurance with the last track on “Cabin”, the bluesy, soulful “I’ll Be Back For You”…

While every track on “Cabin” is a winner, “I’ll Be Back For You” conquered our hearts forever:

With “Go It Alone” Foxtrax show their passionate and irresistibly catchy side. This track has ‘hit potential’ written all over it! Listen to “Go It Alone” now: - Glamglare

New Yorkians FOXTRAX have dropped their debut EP ‘The Cabin’, enlisting some big name help to get these five indie-pop jams to your ears.

The trio met when they were kids, but only got together to make music a year ago. They booked out an eponymous cabin in North Carolina to self-produce the EP, but when producer Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence + the Machine) heard about it, he had the band come in and re-record for a fresh mix.

The result is a catchy and slickly-produced EP, covered in intricate guitar work, thundering drums, and funky bass lines that’ll have you humming and toe-tapping along.

The rolling drums and guitar work initially made me think I’d accidentally stumbled upon a cover of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Maps. However, when the EP’s first track Go It Alone opens up into a half disco, half guitar-pop jam, it comes together nicely. The dancey drum beat and octave-popping bass line in the chorus blend well with the swirling guitars to create an upbeat sound that blends perfectly with the sentiment that you can in fact get out there and “Go it alone”.

Underwater is a guitar-led track that has lashings of sugary sweetness juxtaposing well against the somewhat melancholy and downtrodden lyrical content. Once more the bass line sets a dance feel throughout the verses, however in choruses the track sounds more like an alt-rock number that Eskimo Joe might have released in a bygone year.

The drums have been given a bit of a showcase in the choruses as they change from a rolling thunder to a surfy beat. In the bridge, a subtle but intricate guitar solo echoes across the eerie silence to add a feel of dynamic difference.

“…the song builds thanks to some great drum fills and splashing cymbals to become a bit of an indie guitar jam.”
As the name might suggest, Dark of the Night is a shift in tone from the first two tracks on the EP, with a lot less of the pop-shine coming through. In the verses, the vocals are highlighted alongside a metronomic beat and a very quiet guitar line. Another, even more subtle, guitar line shines through in some of the gaps in the vocals, adding an interesting layer. In the choruses this is compounded with a strong bass line that amps it right up. A very cool and almost Coldplay-esque guitar solo builds from the quiet in the bridge into the final chorus that really turn the light on in this darker track.

On The Run sounds like the hopeful rebuilding after the more melancholy sounds of the previous track. Though it is still fairly subdued at the outset, the song builds thanks to some great drum fills and splashing cymbals to become a bit of an indie guitar jam. Lyrically, the track talks about leaving someone behind to make something better of yourself, and vocalist Ben Schneid’s chorus line, “I’m on the run now/To make it to the radio”, flows nicely with the grandiose of the drumming and the stop-start guitar chords.

Compared to the other tracks on the EP, final track I’ll Be Back For You somewhat lets the team down with its largely same-sounding chords. A Santana-like solo does save the song towards the end as it transitions from a plodding track to a more upbeat sound that’s reminiscent of the earlier tracks on the release. Thanks to this late change in the song the EP does finish on a strong note, but this song does miss some of the magic of some of the others.

The pop shine in ‘The Cabin’ is reminiscent of a number of different artists, and at times you’ll feel like FOXTRAX have borrowed liberally from some of your favourites. But they always put their own spin their tracks, and overall the EP comes together strongly. - AAA Backstage

Some people are under the illusion that talent alone makes you successful, but the real world teaches us that hard work beats talent every day of the week. Combining talent with a solid work ethic is the recipe for success, and tenacious people live their dreams.

Cue Foxtrax, a trio of young musicians who jumped from New York to California chasing their musical potential. It’s an honor to feature the boys in the very first edition of #ViralPirateRadio.

The three piece indie rock band came out swinging from the moment they got together. Brothers Jon and Jared Stenz man the drums and bass respectively, with the band fronted by lead singer and guitarist Ben Schneid. Within their first year of existence these gentlemen recorded and released an The Cabin EP, and performed at every opportunity. Not only did they earn themselves a set during NYC’s famous CMJ festival, but they were also crowned “Artist of the Month” two months in a row…once on each coast.


The band jumped out of their comfort zone and made the move from New York to California, changing their scenery and building momentum all at once. Before they left, Foxtrax were voted “Artist of the Month” by The Deli Magazine NYC. Shortly after arriving in CA, they picked up another “Artist of the Month” honor in the Conejo Valley.

Impressive, we know.

2016 is shaping up to be a monster year for the team and I was very pleased to chat with with the group earlier this month about their wild ride. So, with our further ado, we present to you our exclusive interview with Foxtrax. The lads were even kind enough to share a curated playlist with us.



So honored that you guys took a few minutes out of your busy schedule to chat with me, and glad to have you all as our very first artist feature on Viral Pirate Radio!

Thanks so much for having us!

2015 was an explosive inaugural year for the band. How much do you feel the group has grown in the past 12 months, and how do you think this growth has prepared you for what’s to come in 2016?

The road to becoming a great band is never-ending, but we become better at communicating with each other musically every day. The music we’re creating now, and the direction we’re heading is more authentic to who are as people, and musicians. This is definitely a direct result of the grinding we did this past year. We must have played 150 shows and each one played a big role in allowing our band to grow, not just in popularity, but also talent.

In August 2015 your band’s hard work resulted in the release The Cabin EP, which you guys literally recorded in isolation in a cabin in NC. How do you think that process gave life to the EP, and how do you feel about the EP’s reception post-release?

Our month and a half spent in that cabin had a profound impact on the sonic landscape of the EP. When we weren’t writing or recording we would go on long hikes through the mountains of North Carolina. We immediately noticed how the mountains and vast open spaces played with sound in a really cool way. The spacey,wiry guitars and driving rhythms on the record were informed by walking out our front door and listening to what the mountains had to say. The writing came very naturally and organically. We’re proud of “The Cabin” and are very pleased with its reception post-release.

Have you guys been writing since then and what’s the process been like? When can all the fans following Foxtrax expect the next round of tunes?

Moving to Los Angeles has opened up a new world for us. The emotion of leaving home and discovering who we are as people has found its way into our music and storytelling. We write nearly every single day and are in the process of putting together our debut LP, which should be out in mid-late 2016. Every songs process is different, but all come organically. Some songs stem from jams in the room. Some songs are ideas brought to the table by a member and then worked on as a group. Really every song is different, but as a group we try to put something out there that transcends our emotions in the moment and that we think could make a connection and have a similar effect on our fans and friends.

New music will surely add excitement to an already captivating live set. You guys gigged a ton in 2015 – hitting the East Coast hard. How important has performing been to building the band’s chemistry and sound?

Performing has really been the keystone of our development. Despite all the practice we do, once we step on stage all bets are off. Every show provides us with a new and different energy that has such a profound effect on the music. It is those magic moments over the course of the live show that informs the nuances in our songwriting. The more we play live the better we get at becoming vessels for each others emotions. We are really starting to understand each other as musicians on a deep level and that constantly improves our live show and songwriting as a result.

You all earned the opportunity to showcase your energy and passion on stage at the famous NYC CMJ festival. How important was nailing that opportunity, and how has that experience affected the band’s trajectory?

CMJ was awesome! We’re New Yorkers, and to be able to play a festival like that in our own backyard was an experience we’ll never forget. We felt like we had something to prove to ourselves and our fans (both new and old) that weekend. Come showtime the energy in the building was electric! It was important to us that we lived in that moment. CMJ let us truly appreciate how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go to become the band we want to be. Moving forward we hope to harness the momentum we gained from CMJ and take that energy into other festival appearances across the country!

How important have festival performances been thus far, and how important will landing festival sets be for the band in 2016? As for bookings: One big festival or a week of shows?

Festival appearances are crucial to our development. We are all kids who grew up going to music festivals and can say that we discovered a great deal of the music and bands that we listen to at festivals. To play SXSW in 2016, or a festival like Firefly or Coachella down the road would be a dream come true. Festivals are a great opportunity to get our music in front of people who may establish a connection with our art. They are also a great opportunity to network with and learn from bands that have been at it much longer than us. CMJ was huge for us in 2015 because it connected us with a lot of people in the industry who can help us and with bands that we
plan to tour with down the road. We hope to find something similar in 2016!

Following CMJ, one of the band’s capstones for a successful year was winning The Deli NYC’s Artist of the Month award for November. How sweet was that victory, knowing that it was your fans and friends that helped you snag the accolade?

Winning the Deli NYC Artist of The Month was an incredibly humbling honor to receive. We felt so grateful to our fans, who have made our run in New York so special. Really without their support, none of this would be possible and we can’t stress enough how much it means to us. It also allowed us to celebrate a real milestone in our bands short career. It cemented in our minds that what we accomplished in NYC was real. It’s truly incredible to know that our music has touched people and that is, most fundamentally, what inspires us to keep creating art.

In the closing months of the past year, the band took a huge leap out into the world, leaving NY homesteads for opportunity in California and an adventure on the West Coast. What factors led to that transition, and how have things been since the cross-country move?

Simply put we make our best art when we’re living life to the fullest. We moved out here to challenge ourselves both as musicians and as people. The influx of new experiences has been incredibly inspiring. So far SoCal has welcomed us with open arms. In our first month here we’ve managed to book a ton of dates throughout the LA area. We’ve secured a residency at Harvelle’s Blues Club in Santa Monica every Monday night and were just named the Conejo Valley Artists of the Month for December, 2015! We’re excited for what 2016 has in store!

Has the journey to CA affected the sound of the music being written for the upcoming album? Can you give us a snapshot of how Foxtrax writes and records the songs that have impressed so deeply on indie and rock fanatics across the country?

We are always inspired by the energy and vibe of our surroundings. We love the ideology of sonic highways and believe that each region of the world has a distinctive sonic personality to offer. Los Angeles has opened up our mind to new unique pockets and more electronic production. Its effect in our songwriting is yet to be fully realized, but it should have a major impact on our next record! Our writing process is very organic. Whatever emotion we as a unit can connect with in the moment we like to put into song form. In essence, our main goal is to provide an energy and emotion. From the groove, to the tonal elements to the lyrics and performance, we aim to communicate a cohesive message the best we can.

What is the band most looking forward to in 2016? Any venues you’re itching to play or cities you’re dying to make it to?

2016 is sure to be an incredible year for the band. We are hoping to start touring around the amazing universities in California. We feel super inspired to connect with a wider audience and we hope to garner some amazing stories along the way. We are definitely going to hit some new cities like San Fran, Seattle, and Portland and we can’t wait for our fans to share this journey with us.

Any parting words of advice for any aspiring musicians hoping to follow their Foxtrax and chase their dreams?

Stay hungry, stay foolish. Work hard. Live life. Open yourself up to the universe and the universe will open itself up to you. - Viral Pirate Radio

We got the chance to chat with up and coming band Foxtrax. Check out the interview below!

For people who may not know you, how would you describe your sound?

– Our debut EP “The Cabin” is definitely an alternative rock record. That being said, we try to keep our sound organic and ever evolving. We’re influenced by everything from classic rock and modern alternative to soul, blues, and jazz. We want to be able to combine all of these things into a sound thats truly Foxtrax,

You released your EP “The Cabin” in August, how did you narrow it down to the five songs you wanted on it?

– Choosing the songs that would become “The Cabin” happened very naturally. We wanted to pick the songs that best reflected where we were as people at that moment. In many ways “The Cabin” tells the story of us leaving home to find our true paths as artists. We chose the songs that best reflected our journey.

What did you guys do to celebrate your bands one-year anniversary?

– For our one year anniversary we were fortunate enough to headline Silverlake Lounge in Los Angeles for the first time. Silverlake has always held a romantic place in our hearts and playing in front of a packed house full of diehard music fans was a humbling and extraordinary experience we won’t soon forget.

You guys recently moved to LA and have already secured a residency at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. What do you most look forward too when you are performing there?

– Having a residency at Harvelle’s has been fantastic. Getting to know the Harvelle’s staff has been a treat! Wether its Chelsea who booked us, Seven the Owner or Karl the door guy, the folks at Harvelle’s are great and we look forward to working with them every single Monday! Aside from that, the experience of being able to play for three hours at a time has helped us grow as a band immensely. No two shows are alike! The atmosphere of improvisation has really pushed us forward musically.

What were some of your musical influences growing up and how have they molded your band?

– We grew up on the classics and incase you haven’t heard, The Beatles are on Spotify! All the music we listened to as kids finds its way into the songs we write. In our failure to emulate our heroes we become ourselves.

Can we expect a full length from the band soon?

– Yes! We came to LA to write and record our full length album. Right now were drawing in the vibes of the city and couldn’t be more inspired. This whole process has been pretty extraordinary and we can’t wait to share our journey with you!

What’s next for you?

– It’s always fun (and very helpful) to set some goals. In the coming year we hope to write and record our debut full length, grow a fan base on both coasts and start making noise on the festival circuit. We want to keep growing, keep stretching, and keep making music were proud of! - Stage Right Secrets

El oh ellllll at this photo. I seriously didn't think I could love an image more than the 2014 Oscar selfie, but this picture may have it beat. Sure the Oscars image has Jennifer Lawrence but this one has puppies!! And puppies > humans. Always. Unless the puppy in question is a Chinese Crested, 'cause I'm still convinced that is not even a legit dog breed. Those things look like the love child of a naked mole rat and Donald Trump, and we all know both of those are members of the rodent-, not canine-, family.

If the above picture didn't already have you falling head-over-heels in love with Foxtrax, clicking the play button for "People Say" mo' def* will. The lead singer, Ben Schneid, possesses a voice that is kinda like Alex Trimble (from Two Door Cinema Club) meets Chris Daughtery #inagoodway. It blurs the lines between pop, indie and rock, resulting in a voice that sounds classic, yet still unique. And these honeyed vocals float oh-too-perfectly over the laid-back, dynamic accompaniment provided by Schneid and his bandmates, Jon and Jared Stenz. Also mad props* to the super Stenz bros for being able to create such infectious music together. I'm always uber impressed when siblings can collaborate so successfully. My sisters and I haven't been able to amiably decide on a T.V. show to watch since 1996 and here these boys are producing perfect little slices of indie-rock heaven.

If yah like what yah hear, Foxtrax is playing their first ever L.A. show tomorrow, y'alllll! So, if you are blessed enough to live in the land of eternal sunshine and ppl too pretty for their own good, head to State Social House in West Hollywood circa 7:30 tomorrow or basically be dead 2 us forever.



*sry, idk why I keep sounding like a douchebag from 2005. I guess I've been watching to many O.C. reruns -___-.

P.S. "People Say" is really just the tip of the iceberg for this talented trio. All their stuff has a Young-the-Giant-meets-Coldplay vibe to them, so do your cochleae a favor and visit their Soundcloud page stat. - Tunes4Loons

Foxtrax

While working a CMJ event, I met Foxtrax and it’s actually the first time I met a band then checked out their show without even hearing their music. They gave me some good vibes! Foxtrax is vocalist, guitarist Ben Schneid and the Stenz brothers- Jon on drums and Jared on bass. They play indie-rock alternative music with some old school rock and roll and other surprises thrown in. The boys were the talk of the fest- not only for their good tunes, but because they were smart and went to the CMJ panels to learn about the music world and asked questions to better themselves.

The Long Island band is brand new- only forming earlier this year, but it doesn’t seem that way. Their EP and band name was formed after staying in a cabin in the North Carolina mountains. They followed actual fox tracks in the snow and found their band name! All-around super impressive for a band that just got their start. Fun/super cute fact: their moms were in the crowd at the CMJ show I attended! - Hello Giggles

High school buddies turned New York rock trio Foxtrax zinged an electric bolt earlier this week with “Dark Of The Night” (streaming below), a single off their forthcoming debut EP ‘The Cabin.’ With its imagistic title and theme of longing, the track may seem to be something out of a blues songbook but the Long Island-hailing guys’ synth-lined sound is actually a compelling marriage between The Killers’ epic rock and Future Islands’ dark pop. For a band that formed only this year, Foxtrax snakes through genres and plays with a tightness that’s very impressive. Foxtrax will have an EP release show this Friday (8.28) at Mercury Lounge. – Zach Weg - The Deli NYC

Foxtrax, three guys from New York City, are using music to inspire people to follow their dreams. After a life changing six weeks in a cabin in North Carolina, the band wrote songs, bonded, and found their band name. It was during an enlightened moment when discussing the importance of following their dreams that they noticed fox tracks in the snow - This sight not only created their band name, but also their tagline - "Follow Your Foxtrax". The band members and fans post photos using #followyourfoxtrax on Instagram, and some even include fan photos with the message written on their arms with a marker.

Foxtrax has shared the stage with artists like Sawyer Fredericks (Season 8 Winner of The Voice - Team Pharrell) and Mia Z (also a Pharrell protege) and the band was part of New York City's 2015 CMJ line up.

Jon, Ben and Jared are about to embark on another journey: They just bought one way tickets to Los Angeles to live in possibility and see what the music scene on the West Coast has in store for them.

Watch them follow their own fox tracks:

Instagram: @foxtraxband

Twitter: @foxtraxband

Facebook: facebook.com/Foxtraxband

Check out the music inspired by the mountains of North Carolina in their EP, The Cabin, on Spotify. - Next2Shine