Fugitive Souls
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Brooklyn’s Fugitive Souls are here to serenade you with the dark, romantic melodies on this week’s free download, “Hang On”, off their debut EP, Strangers. Singer, Mark Allen, formerly of the The Shapes, delivers an intimate, yet powerful performance akin to Muse’s Matt Bellamy. Beautiful piano chords punctuate Allen’s vocals while disco rhythms beat across the drummer’s hi-hat. Fans of The Cure and Interpol will feel right at home with this band’s approach to melodramtic, yet danceable love songs . If you happen to be in New York City on July 25th you can try catching the band live at the The Studio at Webster Hall while supporting our friends at Paste Magazine. Fugitive Souls along with Mixel Pixel, Anthem In, and a DJ set from Brazilian Girls‘ Didi are sure to make for an excellant line up at the upcomming Paste Magazine Benefit Concert. - Ourstage.com
One of the other early runaway successes on OurStage was Brooklyn-based dance rock band The Shapes. Already established in New York City, The Shapes joined OurStage and quickly took off, with three Channel wins in 2007 and six top 10 placements in 2007, and more in 2008. Unfortunately, The Shapes would break up at the end of 2008.
Singer Mark Allen would quickly form a new band with some friends, called Fugitive Souls. As a clear testament to musical talent, early versions of some of their songs on OurStage immediately charted in the Top 50 in their channel - Including two Top 50 tracks in their first month alone. To have so much immediate success so quickly is a sure sign that big things are coming to the new Fugitive Souls.
- Brian Whalley @ Ourstage/CMJ
Fugitive Souls is just one of two bands formed by Mark Allen. This band is much more pop driven than the other, with strong melodies that flow very nicely over the music. I found it interesting that the vocals tended to sound like Ben Folds, although the music shared nothing in common. To me, the melody is the most important part of the Fugitive Souls’ music, remaining original from song to song. - Jonathan Ostrow
The brilliant concept behind the musical group Fugitive Souls is something that will amaze fans when they hear the band sing. With their feel good lyrics and melodious tunes, Fugitive Soul has the "it" factor that certainly make them the band not to be missed. In this recent interview, band member Mark Allen completed a Q&A with our Webzine. This is what developed.
Isaac: What do you feel was Fugitive Souls' biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Fugitive Souls: I think the biggest accomplishment was writing and recording an entire EP worth of music, the outcome of which was the "Strangers" EP. All the songs were basically written in the spring and summer, and by fall we were in the studio tracking drums up in Boston. It all came together quickly in hindsight.
Isaac: What has drawn you to each other musically?
Fugitive Souls: There are a bunch of bands that we all like. Some of those bands include Guns n Roses, Metallica, Radiohead, Aerosmith, U2, Joy Division, Muse, and Smashing Pumpkins. Not all of these bands would be considered similar to the Fugitive Souls sound, but they are all influences one way or another.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Fugitive Souls: I've always been inspired by artists like David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Thom Yorke who have worn so many different artistic hats over the years. They are all chameleons in their own right, and always know how to stay ahead of the curve. Any band or artist who is not afraid to take a leap forward and make dynamic changes in their music is inspiring to me.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel Fugitive Souls will bring to the music industry?
Fugitive Souls: We bring the noise.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Fugitive Souls: It would be David Bowie. He brings a certain amount of magic to any project or song he works on. He is a skilled songwriter and performer with an amazing ear. Working with him would be surreal.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Fugitive Souls: Rock n roll with an electronic element. The lyrical content tends to be dark, nostalgic, and even angry at times.
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock music?
Fugitive Souls: "Rock music" seems to be an extremely loose way of describing modern music these days. But I think that looseness is good because I'm not a big fan of narrowing the scope of any one particular song or work of art. I'd rather let people hear the music and let people decide what they want it to be defined as.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
Fugitive Souls: This is our band's first release so we are very eager to hear feedback from people.
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
Fugitive Souls: I think fans can expect this EP to take them on a journey through a wide spectrum of sounds and emotions. There are elements of internal and external struggle in all of the songs. They definitely convey feelings very personal to me. There are a few tracks that are more upbeat and dancey, and others that are more relaxed and atmospheric.
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
Fugitive Souls: Right now we're on sites like Myspace, Virb, and Podsafe Music Network. We hope to get an official site up soon. All the songs will be sold digitally on Tunecore, iTunes, and Amazon within the next few weeks or so.
Isaac: What can fans expect from Fugitive Souls in 2009?
Fugitive Souls: We're hoping to being gigging in early spring to promote the new EP, plus some other new songs we've been messing around with lately in the studio. We will definitely do some DIY touring and promo throughout the year as well.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
Fugitive Souls: Hi Mom!
Isaac: Final words from Fugitive Souls…
Fugitive Souls: Keep supporting the independent music scene by going to shows and buying music so struggling bands can survive and make an honest living. Thanks to all our friends and fans out there.
- Juniors Cave/Isaac Davis Jr.
"I listened to your songs, and I loved it!
The voice makes me remind Nada Surf singer, the rythmic is great, and you have a good sense of melodies, and catching tunes! I won't forget you!!" - Jean Pierre Sablier (of Virgin Radio) - Jean Pierre Sablier
Get Hype!!! FRICTION is back from a break with a night at new performance and art space littlefield in Brooklyn. Headlining this month’s post mid-summer classic are NYC’s The Forms with Special Guests. On the bill are Boston’s Pretty & Nice who bring their form of frenetic and danceable form of pop and punk. Just added are Fugitive Souls with their dark, guitar-based angst mixed with electronic flourishes. All the way from Long Beach, melodic post-punkers The Valley Arena open up this as usual exciting night.
Link:
http://frictionnyc.com/blog/index.php/2009/07/16/friction-nyc-presents-pretty-nice-fugitive-souls-the-valley-arena-8-01-09-littlefield/ - Friction Blog
Jonny Leather is mounting the latest installment in his benefit concert series on Wednesday, August 12 at the Bell House. The proceeds from this month’s show will be used to purchase music, instruments and equipment for the children at the Ronald McDonald House in NYC.
Brooklyn’s Fugitive Souls are here to serenade you with the dark, romantic melodies on this week’s free download, “Hang On”, off their debut EP, Strangers. Singer, Mark Allen, formerly of the The Shapes, delivers an intimate, yet powerful performance akin to Muse’s Matt Bellamy. Beautiful piano chords punctuate Allen’s vocals while disco rhythms beat across the drummer’s hi-hat…-
Taken from Ourstage.com
Link:
http://www.bumpershine.com/2009/08/11/a-benefit-for-ronald-mcdonald-house-at-the-bell-house-on-wed-w-your-vegas-arpline-hooray-for-earth-fugitive-souls.html
- Bumpershine
Fugitive Souls is a new band on the NYC horizon. The band recently played the Paste Magazine Benefit with Brazilian Girls and Mixel Pixel, as well as a brief tour down the east coast in early summer. Their debut EP, "Strangers" features songs such as "Hang On" and "A Secret Weighs a Ton", echoing bands such as Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, and M83 at times. On August 13, the Fugitives are set to play at the Ronald McDonald House Benefit at The Bell House alongside Your Vegas, Hooray for Earth, and Arpline. On August 24th they hit Public Assembly to support Howlies (from Georgia) and the Wild Yaks. In October, Fugitive Souls have a three date Residency at The Studio at Webster Hall to showcase their music the last three Mondays of the month. All three nights will be free.
www.thedelimagazine.com
8.12.09 - Deli Magazine
Blog Posting from Piano's show on May 23rd, 2009:
http://jonnyleather.com/blog1/2009/05/fugitive-souls-pianos-52309/ - Jonny Leather
College Radio Show by Fordham University.
http://www.thealternateside.org/bands/fugitive-souls/?l=54&s=0 - WFUV Radio
Discography
"Strangers" EP :: Recorded and Mixed at Q Division Studios in Boston, MA & Buddy Project in Astoria, Queens with Producer Tommy Eichmann
Singles Include: "Hang On", "Get Out", "A Secret Weighs A Ton"
Available on iTunes, Amazon
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"No Sign of Headlights" EP :: Recorded and Mixed by Fugitive Souls in Greenpoint, Brooklyn & Astoria, Queens (Spring 2011)
Singles Include: "Perfect Circles", "Broken", "Mercury Rising"
Singles are streaming on Official Site, Facebook
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"Live In Libya" :: Recorded and Mixed at Riverflow Studios in York, Pennsylvania (March 2011)
All tracks recorded live. Streaming digitally.
Photos
Bio
Fugitive Souls are a volatile combination of alternative guitar-based angst, vibrant vocals, and dystopian electronic flourishes - inspired by artists such as Muse, Echo & The Bunnymen, Depeche Mode, Filter, and The Cult. Off the heels of their debut EP, "Strangers" in early '09, this Brooklyn four piece rapidly attracted a fan base in and around the New York City music scene, performing at notable music venues such as The Highline Ballroom, Gramercy Theater, Mercury Lounge, and playing a residency at The Studio at Webster Hall.
The band is currently putting the finishing touches on the new EP "No Sign of Headlights", due out this spring. Their single, "Perfect Circles" was recently performed by the band at VH1 Save the Music's Breaknthrough Showcase, along with their rendition of Prince's "When Doves Cry".
PRESS:
"The brilliant concept behind the musical group Fugitive Souls is something that will amaze fans when they hear the band sing. With their feel good lyrics and melodious tunes, Fugitive Soul has the "it" factor that certainly make them the band not to be missed." - Isaac Davis Jr. of Junior's Cave Magazine
"... early versions of some of their songs on OurStage immediately charted in the Top 50 in their channel - Including two Top 50 tracks in their first month alone. To have so much immediate success so quickly is a sure sign that big things are coming to the new Fugitive Souls." - Brian Whalley of Ourstage.com
"To me, the melody is the most important part of the Fugitive Souls music, remaining original from song to song." - MicControl Blog
"I listened to [the] songs, and I loved it! The voice reminds me of Nada Surf's singer, the rhythm is great, and they have a good sense of melodies, and catchy tunes! I won't forget them!!" - Jean Pierre Sablier of Virgin Radio
Links
