Matt Dahan / The Radio Knights

Matt Dahan – Shadowboxing (Waiting For Gravity Music)

Matt Dahan is a third generation pianist in a family that’s been performing since the 1930s. Not that Dahan sounds anything but contemporary on Shadowboxing, his seventh full-length release in six years. Musically, he draws inspiration from various sources, and not solely piano players. Sure, there’s a little Ben Folds in what he does, but equally, he’s taking the darker pop vibe of The Killers and their ilk, and stamping his own identity onto the template. My favourites: the energetic “Spinning” is played with joyful abandon and the euphoric layering of “Please, Icarus” brings to mind the grown-up pop of classic Steve Winwood, and showcases Dahan’s excellent voice. “On The Edge” oozes a gentle, though slightly desperate menace. Indeed, if this were a film review it would be described as containing “mild peril”, and although Shadowboxing isn’t concerned with epic soundscapes, many of these songs wouldn’t sound out of place gracing the latest (older) teen flick. Matt Dahan may not be a household name ‘round these parts, but there’s no doubting that, given the quality of his pop instincts, he’s certainly worth further investigation.

- Simon M. - Leicester Bangs Magazine

The Radio Knights have a very accessible pop sound with some clever variations thrown into the mix. The vocal performances sell the songs, and are really solid and engaging.There's definitely a lot of commercial potential.

Music: 8/10
Lyrics: 8/10
Marketability: 9/10 - TAXI A&R Company

Those with an itch for rock laced with smooth electronic effects should enjoy Matt Dahan. Tracks like “Please, Icarus” or “Spinning” jump out the most, though all the tracks have something of worth. - The Album Project

"The Radio Knights kick it up a few notches. This piano-based rock band with killer hooks and a radio driven sound are destined to become famous alongside the likes of Snow Patrol, The Fray and Coldplay." - Bodog Music

"WOW!! We have a winner here!! Great hooks, drop dead vocals, killer guitars, catchy melodies, top notch arrangements, and excellent production… The Radio Knights grab you from the get go and don't let you go till they're done.
What more could you ask for?" - 5TM from Dumont, NJ

Review of 'Push':
"Great track. Love the opening and the vocals are perfect for the song. Great use of processed sounds and guitars. Cool hook, too. Very well written and extremely catchy." - Garageband.com Users

On their debut ep Happen, the Radio Knights deliver a solid collection of piano-based rock tunes well deserving of nationwide attention. Formed in the fall of 2005, the Boston-based quartet fits into the vein of indie moody pop. Lead vocalist Matt Dahan’s strong voice is a mix of Rob Thomas and Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, defining the band’s sound as probably something you would have heard on the radio a few years back before the Britneys and Jessicas of the industry stole the spotlight.

The opening track “Redemption” immediately pulls the listener in and sets the stage for a mix of catchy self-described “powerpop” about love and loss.

"we don’t have much but we don’t mind
not much baggage just the mental kind
and we left most of it stranded at the county line"

The EP marches on with the radio-ready “Joanne," a pleading love song with an infectious melody. Following is the ethereal “Running from the World like Horses," a touching number about escaping the world at the expense of leaving a relationship behind. Dahan's voice is especially vulnerable on this one. But the closing track “Ghosts” is by far my favorite, offering an interesting darker feel. Throughout the song a strong groove beat carries the song in an otherwise more stripped down arrangement than the previous numbers. This track is a pop ballad B-side at its finest.

"like the light that shines to a ship at sea you bring me in you bring me in
like the feel of yesterday against my lips you bring me in you bring me in
if you are like a ghost to me why can i still reach out and hold your memory"

Honestly there’s not a single weak track on here, leaving me curious and eager for a full album of this group’s music. An impressive debut to say the least. If you’re a fan of The Fray and Coldplay, you’ll love the Radio Knights. Just let it Happen.

Written by Skott Freedman (7/12/08) - indie-music.com

How anyone cannot love piano based pop rock is beyond, We've featured Parade The Day who have since broken up, but while together, they were a near perfect pop group. Now, in the wake of their absence, a new contender for best unsigned piano pop rock group has emerged in the form of The Radio Knights. Hailing from the one city I have a crush o that I've never visited, Boston, this four piece recently released Happen and if these six tracks are any indication of what they're capable of; you best strap in because it's going to be a wild and engaging journey.

"Redemption," kicks things off on the right note with a pop-tastic tale of young love. Though we're initially met with soft, slow piano, the song kicks into full drive with beautiful group vocals before Matt Dahan's voice softly comes in to guide us on through the story of two small town kids escaping their villages and running off to find greater places. The references to the highways and small town dreams may be a bit of worn ground, but the melody and song structure gives it a fresh feel that really gets you into the band and makes you excited for what will be coming next. What we get next is a very Elton John influenced, "Joanne," that rings out like atimeless pop song in the making. Fromt he first 10 seconds you are completely pulled in through the bands musicianship. The beat is the kind that perfectly accompanies long car rides or montages in teen love films. The use of harmony in the chorus only seves as icing on the cake, but is delicious none the less.

The halfway tracks on the disc are, "Push," a very Maroon 5 like track that has vocals that have a much more rocky feel and, "Running From The World Like Horses," which plays like the perfect summer ballad. "Push," is quite solid, but not the of the same stand out quality of the previous two tracks. I'm not saying it's weak, it just didn't "pop" for me. "Running From The World...," on the other hand, may be the song the band has musically speaking. It's almost jazz like, but Dahan's vocals could keep any music fan engaged. Those familiar with Five For Fighting and Train will fall in love with TRK right here. This pop goodness is then followed by, "The Key," which once again has mellow beginning, but instead of a piano lead, we are met with wonderful guitar work from Nicholai Baxter. His talent shines on many tracks, but it's here that he really has the main music lead on the track. The song itself is a great song that, for some reason makes me picture the romantic scenes in movies where lovers meet in the pouring rain. IT just has this feel of passion through the music that is rare in this day and age. As the track ends we find the closing number, "Ghosts," to be introduced with a solid drum beat from Greg Settino with Brian Allsion pulling down the bass part beautifully. This is really a mellow track, but with enough pop sense to make even the sad sounds engaging to the general public. The song builds like a pulsating battle cry for romantics and ends on the perfect notes which leaves you wanting more from The Radio Knights and wanting it now.

In this fragile age fro the music industry, many people are taking gimmicks to rise quickly, make some money, and get out, but real music will prevail in the end. SUre, some could say piano rock is a gimmick, but The Radio Knights play with the kind of heart and enthusiasm that it takes to make it and survive in the music industry. From the first notes of Happen. you know you're listening to the next big band in pop rock. The Radio Knights have new sensation written all over them and if Happen is any sign, they will be favorites of many for years to come.

**Written By James Shotwell**
GRADE: 8.5/10 - Under the Gun Review

The power-pop-rock band The Radio Knights released their newest EP titled Happen this past month. The two knights of the band are Nicholai Baxter on guitar and vocals and Matt Dahan on piano and lead vocals. This EP contains the uplifting and inspirational music that puts listeners at ease.

On their album Happen, such songs as “Running From the World Like Horses” and “Redemption” (Not a Bob Marley cover) seem to flow from the speakers into the ears of the listener like a cool breeze that calms one’s nerves. This Boston band is currently unsigned, but in the words of Aladdin, they are “a diamond in the rough” waiting to be discovered.

Written by: Kyle Thurin - Pop Wreck(oning)