The Material

Leave it to Los Angeles alt-rockers the Material to make your Monday morning alllll okay again.

Premiering exclusively with PureVolume, here's your chance above to stream their new song "Life Vest" off their forthcoming album Everything I Want to Say.

"The song 'Life Vest,' despite its moody undertones and rock chorus, is ultimately a love song. It was written last March when my grandma passed away, following my parents' recent divorce, and I felt like our family was falling apart," explains vocalist Colleen D'Agostino. "I didn't want to leave my bed, I just wanted to block out the world. It's a really personal song about overcoming loss with the support of your loved ones."

"I think the song does a good job of showing that out of weakness can come strength, out of loss you can find love and peace. I showed my lyrics to the band and the song took on many forms after that," D'Agostino continues. "I honestly didn't even know if it would make the album, but I refused to let it go. I thought the song possessed a story that I needed to tell. We showed it to our producer Kyle Black and he understood what I was going for. In the end, I think it ended up being everyone's favorite song on the album—and now it's the single!"

The Material will release Everything I Want to Say on April 9.
- Purevolume.com

California hard rockers The Material sure know how to make getting drenched in water look attractive. Actually, to rephrase: The Material sure know how to make getting drenched in water, singing underwater, and playing their instruments WHILE getting drenched in water look attractive. (Like, they could give Jennifer Beals in "Flashdance" a run for her money.) So it's really no wonder that their latest video is called "Life Vest," because as far as we're concerned, they're gonna need one.

Watch The Material's "Life Vest" video after the jump.


Directed by Raúl Gonzo (All Time Low), "Life Vest" has lead singer Colleen D'Agosinto and the rest of the band dramatically rocking out in what looks like an underground chamber/swimming pool/shower/submarine. As the chorus drops, the heavens open, and a flood of water comes raining down on The Material's drummer, Kevin Pintado (who doesn't even flinch -- amazing). Then, re-enacting the song's anxious lyrics ("They say the bad things/ They come in waves of three/ If that's the truth then/ This wave will be the last to crash on me"), Colleen repeatedly splashes into pools of water and even spends much of the clip singing submerged (and somehow manages to avoid a "Lost"/"Not Penny's Boat" situation). Hope she at least wore a life vest for THAT.

"Life Vest" appears on The Material's Everything I Want To Say album, which dropped last spring. Dip your toe in below. - MTV Buzzworthy

By Crystal Larsen
West Hollywood, Calif.

"By the sound of applause, how many of you have heard our new album?" asked Colleen D'Agostino, the fearless leader of Los Angeles rockers the Material, halfway through the band's debut performance at the House of Blues Sunset Strip on April 21. The loud response from the crowd told me this was a special night for the Material.

Fresh off the recent release of their latest album, Everything I Want To Say, the Material were anything but speechless for their album release party, with each member displaying equal excitement for playing the House of Blues for the first time.

"I've seen all my favorite bands here and I'm super stoked to be standing onstage," exclaimed guitarist Jon Moreaux at one point during the set.

Rounded out by guitarist Roi Elam, bassist Jordan Meckley and drummer Kevin Pintado, the Material kicked off with a performance of the aptly titled "Born To Make Sound" from Everything I Want To Say. As the melodic guitar riffs and driving bass lines set into a steady groove, the raspy vocals of D'Agostino began: "There's no time for mistakes." That couldn't have been more fitting for an album release party of a relatively new band. And from where I was standing, the Material made no mistakes.

Their big sound was matched by a stage presence that clearly commanded attention. Glancing over the crowd, there were plenty of bobbing heads but hundreds of eyes were set in place. When she wasn't doing double duty on keyboards, D'Agostino was owning the stage, switching from dancing to the rhythms of her guitar-playing cohort and husband, Moreaux, playing the tambourine (which is always a plus in my book), outstretching her arms toward the audience in a sign of rock and roll love, and letting her long jet-black hair flip chaotically to the music.

Aside from her riveting stage performance, D'Agostino's accessories were especially rock and roll — her black leather shorts and studded boots were the perfect counterpart for the cherry-red microphone that matched her same-colored lips. As the band soared through a few more tracks off the new album, including "Tonight I'm Letting Go" and "Running Away," all of which were well-received, "Bottles" is the track that really got my attention. The song began with Moreaux on acoustic guitar, serving as the background for D'Agostino's soft vocal delivery, but when Moreaux switched to electric guitar and D'Agostino launched into the wail she's becoming known for, the audience was visibly blown away as the floor was covered with bodies pounding in rhythm to the beat.

Before performing "Life Vest," the single from their new album and also D'Agostino's favorite track, the band erupted into a drum circle that took everyone by surprise. More surprises were in store at the end of the night when D'Agostino joined the crowd in a final goodbye. The image of the singer perched among her fans, arms stretched above her head as she shouted her last words is one I won't soon forget. And that night is one I don't think the Material will soon forget either as they tweeted just shortly after going offstage: "We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Tonight was amazing."

Set List:

"Born To Make A Sound"
"Tonight I'm Letting Go"
"Moving To Seattle"
"Running Away"
"Bottles"
"Let You Down"
"A World Outside"
"Gasoline"
"Skin And Bone"
"Life Vest" - Grammy.com

“I’m not going to write a bunch of songs about rainbows and butterflies,” says Colleen D’Agostino as to why the lyrics on her band’s latest record What We Are cover a range of relatable emotional difficulties even though she herself is in a good state of mind. The five piece rock outfit known as The Material hails from San Diego, but when Colleen promised last year that the record would “sound like Portland” it was because half of it was written there, with the other half crafted in Los Angeles. Although filled with the kind of pop hooks the band has become known for through the EPs it’s released over the years, What We Are takes a heavier turn sonically and emotionally...." - Beatweek Magazine - Bill Palmer

"With so many great bands in the world it's often easy to miss some of the amazing ones. Turns out The Material from San Diego are one such band. So far they've not been snapped up by a record label - which is criminal considering the quality of their songs. The band however are fighting hard to get their music out to more and more people - and their album "What We Are" is something you need to hear..." - Black Velvet Magazine (UK)

"With a powerful, commercial sound that could challenge the likes of Paramore, The Material are radio-ready, with excellent production (great drums!) in every detail. Singer Colleen fronts the crafty quintent with aplomb, making a large impression, especially on "What Happens Next," where this precision enterprise sets up and delivers the chorus perfectly. We haven't heard a more radio-friendly single from an unsigned act, and the edgy ballad "Let You Down" shows another no less appealing dimension to this winning, Warped-ready band. - Music Connection Magazine

"Most female fronted rock bands these days are lazily compared to Paramore but The Material are a little edgier...This 3 track EP kicks off with "Unforgivable" a great track with an excellent chorus and clever thought provoking lyrics. The Second track "Before This Ship Goes Down" can be called epic...The production is crystal clear, highlighting the great musicianship throughout." - Soundscape Magazine - Paul Esp

"Colleen D'Agostino of The Material has a beautifully clear voice that is irresistable." - The Buffalo News

"Locally grown, The Material is local rock's hottest up-and-coming band taking the industry by storm. Fresh from a U.S. tour, they captured the scene with a live performance on MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout last year..." - 944 Magazine

"The Material: an unmistakable name in San Diego music.. the band brings an engaging live show, determined attitude, and the heart to back it up. Seamlessly blending modern rock and pop, The Material has managed to captivate listeners everywhere." - No Cover Magazine

"What percentage of bands in this scene contain a classically trained opera singer? The number rose ever so slightly when The Material, with frontwoman Colleen D'Agostino, hit the San Diego area in early 2006... But when The Material released the "Tomorrow" EP in 2007, the melodic rock quintet earned a spot on MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout, finishing second." - Alternative Press Magazine

"The Material blends an intermixture of musical genres that defines their originality and talent. Their lead singer delivers the group away from the stereotypical lead pop-vocalist and breathes new life into a barely touched wave of rock 'n' roll." - 944 Magazine - Nicole Quiroz

"Built around the powerhouse vocals of Colleen D'Agostino (think Kelly Clarkson or Pat Benatar), the debut six-song EP from San Diego's The Material is a showcase of guitar-driven mainstream rock and power pop... the confident yet vulnerable singing of D'Agostino, the aggressive playing of the band and the hook-laden songs create a sound that is immediately accessible and fun.." - The North County Star