The Last Year

“The great thing about alt-rock radio is you can seamlessly go from Florence and the Machine to Muse, well..now you have a great band that can do the same. Listen to The Last Year, you’ll love it.” - - JD Sutphin, Music Director, WROV

“THE LAST YEAR pulls off an amazing feat by being simultaneously retro and contemporary. I love the reference nods to Goth & 80's dance ala NEW ORDER, SIOUXIE, ECHO, etc... but fans of METRIC and SHINY TOY GUNS will also love this band!” - - Jon Peterson, Former PD, WRLT, WRNR, WCBE

“The Last Year is in essence a "New Wave" band, that really rocks as evidenced by their powerful performance…Enjoy it, dance to it, you know you want to.” - Vince Anderson - Shockwave Magazine

“Sugar!!! Definitely one of the catchiest choruses I have heard in a long time. It's a hit.” - Gina Crash - HFS at 97.5 Baltimore's Rock Alternative

""Sugar" is their brand new smash single from their self-titled EP and features a highly accessible, radio ready alternative pop sound reminiscent of Metric and a more polished Garbage." - Underground Music

After decades traveling the world, performing with some of the biggest names in the industry and amassing a cult-like following that has resulted in multiple endorsements, singer/songwriter Niki Barr and band mate Scott Ensign (guitar, bass, synth, percussion, programming) have decided that now is their time to shine.

The duo, who officially came together in 2012 after years of writing, has inked a deal with the prestigious Shanachie Entertainment (home to such artists as Rusted Root, Leela James, and the Flobots) and are ready to catapult their careers to a whole a new level…a level that will include their first major record deal, the release of a new EP and a slew of show dates that promises to keep The Last Year where they thrive the most – the road. Joining the pair on tour will be guitarist Scott Griffith (from the Perfects) and BJ Kerwin (drums and percussion), who also performed on the new record.

“We’re ecstatic to be signed with Shanachie,” said Barr. “It will allow us the freedom to keep creative control over our music and career, while also benefiting from Shanachie President Randall Grass' expertise in the music industry.”

Describing themselves as an eclectic mix of alternative rock and new wave, The Last Year says that their latest songs are “limitless” with “everything from buzz saw synth to airy atmospheric ambience to 80s drum sequence loops,” according to Ensign, who co-produced the EP alongside Barr.

"Sugar," the obvious single, is a throw-back to alt-rock, leaving the rest of the EP to showcase the band's perfect blend of natural and synthetic sounds. Written in an almost frenetic way and coming from the dark place Barr is almost known for, listeners may instantly relate the song to her other fan favorite "Addiction". Barr, however, hopes fans see beyond the surface and connect with her ultimate message that is embracing, "the freedom that comes with letting go."

The Last Year’s “freedom” now is with knowing that their deeply honest songwriting and powerful stage shows will be fully supported by the team at Shanachie Entertainment.

"I've watched Niki Barr develop from a young and talented artist who delivered great performances onstage, into an accomplished songwriter with a focused vision in the studio, said Grass. “With her new project, The Last Year, I feel that she now has the songs she needs, along with her vocal ability and performing talent, to take her to the next level."

The Last Year’s new EP is scheduled for release August 13, 2013 and includes five all-new tracks. The CD will be available at all retailer online shops, Amazon, iTunes, and more.

About The Last Year
As one of the industry’s most respected female-fronted bands, The Last Year has built its reputation on its innate ability to blend power pop punk with hard rock passion. Led by vocalist Niki Barr, who embodies an edgy yet magnetic stage presence, the group emanates an electrifying energy while pouring its heart into every performance. Resistant to conformity, this Baltimore-based band isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of music (or themselves) and continually challenges its fans to embark on a veritable rollercoaster ride of sorts with its menacing rock riffs, soaring anthemic choruses and powerful rhythm section.

Known on a global level, the band has completed 12 Armed Forces Entertainment morale tours, spanning 34 countries on three continents. Additionally, the group has performed with such artists as Sevendust, Shinedown, The Offspring and more. Current endorsements include Pantene/Pro Voice, Elixir Strings, Jagermeister/Sydney Frank Importing, Electro Voice and more.

For more information about The Last Year, please visit www.thelastyear.net. - MI2N