Closer Than We Appear

WORK IN PROGRESS FINALISTS:
Duality by Andrew Cornforth; Dodging The Raindrops by Gabe Goodman, Max DiRado, Jack Duff and Ben Garman; Heartbreaker by Damien Brennan; How Long by Peter Waug - UK Songwriting Competition

"On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the finalist bands will take center stage at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of "Best Teen Band in the USA.".Music from the finalist bands can be viewed by visiting www.schooljamusa.com . The 2012 SchoolJam USA finalists are (in alphabetical order): Almost Chaos (Santa Cruz, Calif.) Jazz Avenue (San Diego) Closer Than We Appear (Scituate, Mass.) Squash (Salt Lake City) Ergo We Play (Knoxville, Tenn.) The Hi-Tops (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Impakt (Los Angeles) The Interstellar Elevators (Weston, Conn - Wall Street Journal

"On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the finalist bands will take center stage at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of "Best Teen Band in the USA.".Music from the finalist bands can be viewed by visiting www.schooljamusa.com . The 2012 SchoolJam USA finalists are (in alphabetical order): Almost Chaos (Santa Cruz, Calif.) Jazz Avenue (San Diego) Closer Than We Appear (Scituate, Mass.) Squash (Salt Lake City) Ergo We Play (Knoxville, Tenn.) The Hi-Tops (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Impakt (Los Angeles) The Interstellar Elevators (Weston, Conn - Wall Street Journal

" The concert last Sunday (March 31st) at the Middle East Upstairs might be summed up best by one eager member of the concert audience who exclaimed at the end of the second opening act, “I didn’t come for you guys(CTWA), but you guys are awesome!” The music is worth checking out if you like bands like Arcade Fire and Two Door Cinema Club " - The Harvard Independent

" The concert last Sunday (March 31st) at the Middle East Upstairs might be summed up best by one eager member of the concert audience who exclaimed at the end of the second opening act, “I didn’t come for you guys(CTWA), but you guys are awesome!” The music is worth checking out if you like bands like Arcade Fire and Two Door Cinema Club "
- Yuqi Hou, The Harvard Independent (Apr 13, 2013)

"Most bands go through a lot of growing pains and numerous members before finding the right lineup. Sometimes there is the rare exception when young kids get together and everything fits perfectly. This seems to be the case with Closer Than We Appear, an alt rock band from Scituate, Massachusetts."
- Indie Band Guru (Jul 03, 2012)

"On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the finalist bands will take center stage at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of "Best Teen Band in the USA.".Music from the finalist bands can be viewed by visiting www.schooljamusa.com . The 2012 SchoolJam USA finalists are (in alphabetical order): Almost Chaos (Santa Cruz, Calif.) Jazz Avenue (San Diego) Closer Than We Appear (Scituate, Mass.) Squash (Salt Lake City) Ergo We Play (Knoxville, Tenn.) The Hi-Tops (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Impakt (Los Angeles) The Interstellar Elevators (Weston, Conn.) "
- P R Newswire, Wall Street Journal (Dec 08, 2011)

" The band’s commitment to substance-over-swag is starting to pay off. On Jan. 21, Closer Than We Appear will compete in the finals of the SchoolJam USA competition at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif. It is one of eight bands from across the U.S. that will try to win $5,000 for their school’s music department "
- Patrick Ronan, Patriot Ledger (Dec 16, 2011)

"One could not help but notice however, a dramatic thinning of the crowd after CTWA vacated the stage. It appeared to more than one observer, that well over 50% of the crowd had seen who they came to see and were content to bust loose and take on the night."
- New North Music, New North Music Blog (Jun 30, 2010)

"Like many situations that middle school boys get themselves into, it all started with a text message on a cell phone. But this is something that the parents of Max DiRado, Jack Duff, and Gabe Goodman approved of. The three, students at Gates Intermediate School in Scituate, have won the first ever songwriting competition of the Hingham-based South Shore Conservatory, beating out about 17 other songwriters - all adults... The winning song, "Just When You Think That It's All Over,' was selected the champion by online voting and a panel of judges. The boys were put over the top not by the voting, but by the panel of judges, Goldstein said. The three boys first collaborated last year in the Gates School's annual songwriting competition. Goodman, 14, and DiRado, 13, who live across the street from one another, have been playing together for years. But last year, the two invited Duff, 14, to play with them."
- Molly A.K. Connors, The Boston Globe (May 20, 2010) - Various Sources

Most bands go through a lot of growing pains and numerous members before finding the right lineup. Sometimes there is the rare exception when young kids get together and everything fits perfectly. This seems to be the case with Closer Than We Appear, an alt rock band from Scituate, Massachusetts. They formed in the spring of 2009 really just to enter their high school songwriting competition. They have grown a lot since then playing shows at the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods, the Hard Rock Cafe: Boston, as well as the Middle East and Club Passim in Cambridge. This hard work lead to CTWA being selected as one of eight finalists in NAMM’s SchoolJam USA national battle of the bands. They flew across the country to play in Downtown Disney as part of the 2012 NAMM Convention in Anaheim, California. They also won the Berklee College of Music High School Battle of the Bands in April. Get ready for the liftoff to fame.

Now Closer Than We Appear have released Evaluation Expressions, a 5 song EP that delves into feelings a lot deeper than their age suggests. In fact if I was not told upfront I would have never guessed the ages of the band members. Gabe Goodman’s vocals are very reminiscent of Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie, both in tone and expression. The songwriting style is original and uses the full talents of each member of the band. Piano, interesting guitar tones, synth, and simple bass lines make for great full sounding songs. The lead single’ Evaluating Expressions’ is a mellow sing along with a beautiful sound throughout. ‘Dodging Raindrops’ is a simple but sweet song that I would love to hear an acoustic version of. The songs on this EP will win them the hearts of many teenage girls. Hopefully love triangles won’t form and break this band up like too many other bands full of young men have fallen prey to.

Potential is here for great things in the indie/college rock scene with Closer Than We Appear. They have already earned the respect of critics and professionals through the contests they have been in, and won, now is the time for their fanbase to grow along with that. Go now and listen and love:

www.reverbnation.com/wearecloserthanweappear

www.facebook.com/WeAreCloserThanWeAppear

www.cdbaby.com/cd/closerthanweappear - Indie Band Guru

Indie/Alternative rock band, Closer Than We Appear, is comprised of four very talented young musicians. The group is already making a name for itself around the area, as the band has not only landed various shows in the South Shore, but also made headlines in newspapers such as the Scituate Mariner.
However, there is more to this band than just a creative name. CTWA formed three years ago with only two members: sophomore Gabe Goodman and freshman Max DiRado. According to Goodman, the band recruited sophomore Jack Duff for a songwriting competition. He would later transition from piano to bass guitar.
After much dispute over a phrase found on a car’s rear view mirror, the band settled on the name “Closer Than We Appear.” The band’s ascent only continued from there.
In the years following, as two of the three members moved up to SHS, CTWA continued to play in venues and competitions across the area, gaining publicity along the way. Amid the success, Duff noted that the band actually lost competitions because they lacked a drummer. In response, junior Ben Garman joined the group in 2010 as full-time drummer.
Presently, Closer Than We Appear is participating in a nationwide competition, School Jam USA, in which bands from high schools across the nation compete for a chance to win $5,000 for their school’s music program. On Dec. 5, CTWA was announced as one of the eight finalists chosen to compete in California on January 21st.
Aside from competing in larger competitions, the band still plays smaller gigs around the area, performing favorites such as: “Violent Delights,” “Star Kids,” “Don’t Ever Be Content,” and “Dodging Raindrops.”
Keep an eye out for this incredible group! - The Scituation

Most of the boys in Closer Than We Appear were in class when they found out they were chosen as one of the eight finalists in the SchoolJam USA National Teen Battle of the Bands Competition.

They had some tough competitors, yet even with over 118 total entries, the Scituate High School students’ band advanced to the final round, winning $1,000 for the SHS Music Department and the opportunity to perform at the National Association of Music Merchants Conference at Disneyand in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 21.

Their reactions? Pure joy.

“I didn’t expect to win,” said Gabe Goodman, a sophomore, vocalist, and lead guitarist for the band. “There were bands that had better production and thousands of more votes!”

When junior Ben Garman, the band’s drummer, found out, ”I lit up,” he said, smiling at the memory.

As the day wore on, the news felt less like a dream. Phones kept buzzing with the good news, and the teens have been practicing since then to prepare for the performance.

To win, the band not only needed to draw in votes (and they did — 4,217 to be exact), but had to impress the anonymous judges. Together, the combined score ushered the local band into the national spotlight.

The four that make up the band: Goodman; Garman; Jack Duff, sophomore, bass and synthesizer player; and Max DiRado, freshman bassist, will pay for the own air fare to get to the California competition, where all expenses will then be paid.

The hope, besides listening to some great music from the other seven finalists, is to get feedback from music executives.

“Hopefully, there will be a lot of music industry reps around,” Duff said. Even if it doesn’t materialize into a record deal, the input from professionals would be incredibly helpful, he said.

The songwriting process has also changed dramatically. The teens went from texting video clips of riffs and lyrics back and forth to setting down a practice schedule at least once every weekend.

Even then, being a modern-day high school student means things can get difficult.

“I’d like to spend more time with the band, but with other commitments, it’s hard. It can be hard to have the motivation to keep a regimented schedule,” Goodman said.

DiRado agreed. Between the four of them, there’s swimming, music lessons, football, track, jazz club, men’s choir, select choir, and driver’s ed.

Still, it doesn’t hurt being in a band when you’re in high school.

“It fits in well with high school,” Duff said. “People like that you have a band, have concerts…but it takes a lot of work.”

Even before their big California debut, the band has performed extensively in the area — everywhere from the Hard Rock Café in Boston and Foxwoods in Connecticut to The New North Music Hall in Hingham.

It’s an impressive track record for musicians as young as 15 and 16, and one the teens plan to keep pursuing.

On the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, the band will perform at Tinker’s Son in Norwell, and might release their new album.

Yet despite their national ambitions, the young performers still see themselves at the beginning of things.

Even with their EP being created as they speak, Duff said they are still just getting the word out about their band.

“It’s not to make money, more to show people who we are and what we do,” he said.

For more information on the competition, visit www.schooljamusa.com.

“It’s also a great opportunity for exposure,” Goodman said. “I’m excited about the opportunity.”

If the band is selected at the finals round, the boys will move on to perform in Europe at the 2012 SchoolJam Germany finals in Frankfurt.

For now, the win is a giant leap from where the band was a year ago. With only three members at the time, Closer Than We Appear had won the Hingham-based South Shore Conservatory singer-songwriter competition.

Since then, they have added a drummer, are putting the final touches on their EP, and are looking at the prospect of performing in fr - The Boston Globe

Most of the boys in Closer Than We Appear were in class when they found out they were chosen as one of the eight finalists in the SchoolJam USA National Teen Battle of the Bands Competition.

They had some tough competitors, yet even with over 118 total entries, the Scituate High School students’ band advanced to the final round, winning $1,000 for the SHS Music Department and the opportunity to perform at the National Association of Music Merchants Conference at Disneyand in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 21.

Their reactions? Pure joy.

“I didn’t expect to win,” said Gabe Goodman, a sophomore, vocalist, and lead guitarist for the band. “There were bands that had better production and thousands of more votes!”

When junior Ben Garman, the band’s drummer, found out, ”I lit up,” he said, smiling at the memory.

As the day wore on, the news felt less like a dream. Phones kept buzzing with the good news, and the teens have been practicing since then to prepare for the performance.

To win, the band not only needed to draw in votes (and they did — 4,217 to be exact), but had to impress the anonymous judges. Together, the combined score ushered the local band into the national spotlight.

The four that make up the band: Goodman; Garman; Jack Duff, sophomore, bass and synthesizer player; and Max DiRado, freshman bassist, will pay for the own air fare to get to the California competition, where all expenses will then be paid.

The hope, besides listening to some great music from the other seven finalists, is to get feedback from music executives.

“Hopefully, there will be a lot of music industry reps around,” Duff said. Even if it doesn’t materialize into a record deal, the input from professionals would be incredibly helpful, he said.

The songwriting process has also changed dramatically. The teens went from texting video clips of riffs and lyrics back and forth to setting down a practice schedule at least once every weekend.

Even then, being a modern-day high school student means things can get difficult.

“I’d like to spend more time with the band, but with other commitments, it’s hard. It can be hard to have the motivation to keep a regimented schedule,” Goodman said.

DiRado agreed. Between the four of them, there’s swimming, music lessons, football, track, jazz club, men’s choir, select choir, and driver’s ed.

Still, it doesn’t hurt being in a band when you’re in high school.

“It fits in well with high school,” Duff said. “People like that you have a band, have concerts…but it takes a lot of work.”

Even before their big California debut, the band has performed extensively in the area — everywhere from the Hard Rock Café in Boston and Foxwoods in Connecticut to The New North Music Hall in Hingham.

It’s an impressive track record for musicians as young as 15 and 16, and one the teens plan to keep pursuing.

On the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, the band will perform at Tinker’s Son in Norwell, and might release their new album.

Yet despite their national ambitions, the young performers still see themselves at the beginning of things.

Even with their EP being created as they speak, Duff said they are still just getting the word out about their band.

“It’s not to make money, more to show people who we are and what we do,” he said.

For more information on the competition, visit www.schooljamusa.com.

“It’s also a great opportunity for exposure,” Goodman said. “I’m excited about the opportunity.”

If the band is selected at the finals round, the boys will move on to perform in Europe at the 2012 SchoolJam Germany finals in Frankfurt.

For now, the win is a giant leap from where the band was a year ago. With only three members at the time, Closer Than We Appear had won the Hingham-based South Shore Conservatory singer-songwriter competition.

Since then, they have added a drummer, are putting the final touches on their EP, and are looking at the prospect of performing in fr - The Boston Globe

Acne. Homework. Finding a date for the prom.
These are some common stressors among teenagers in high school. However, the four members of the Scituate-based band Closer Than We Appear are more concerned about bucking trends in the music industry.
“It’s really tough,” said Gabe Goodman, the band’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist. “We’ve seen it at the battle of the bands we’ve been in. The focus is on image, and how bands energize a crowd and play pop music.”
The band’s commitment to substance-over-swag is starting to pay off. On Jan. 21, Closer Than We Appear will compete in the finals of the SchoolJam USA competition at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif. It is one of eight bands from across the U.S. that will try to win $5,000 for their school’s music department.
By qualifying for the finals, the foursome has already secured at least $1,000 for Scituate High School’s music program. The money is donated by the National Association of Music Merchants.
Self-described as an indie/alternative band, Closer Than We Appear consists of Goodman, a sophomore; bassist Jack Duff, a sophomore; lead guitarist and synthesist Max DiRado, a freshman; and drummer Ben Garman, a junior.
In the first round of the SchoolJam contest, 118 bands each submitted at least three original songs as well as YouTube videos from their live performances, all of which were featured on the SchoolJam website. A panel of judges and online voting totals determined the eight finalists.
Closer Than We Appear has played venues including the Middle East in Cambridge, the MGM Theater in Foxwoods, the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston and the New North Music Hall in Hingham. The band members’ musical influences include Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Phoenix and U2.
With a name inspired by the warning on a car mirror, the band said it owes a lot of its success to three Scituate instructors: high school band teacher Sally Tucker, music program director William Richter and Gates Intermediate music teacher Nadia Swartz.
The teens said executives from the music business will be on hand to watch their Disney performance. Because many consumers today are exposed to new music on the Internet, as opposed to TV or radio, Closer Than We Appear plans to keep relying on musical skills rather than trying to sell an image.
“We’re at a time in the music industry where everything is starting to change,” Duff said. - The Patriot Ledger

Acne. Homework. Finding a date for the prom.
These are some common stressors among teenagers in high school. However, the four members of the Scituate-based band Closer Than We Appear are more concerned about bucking trends in the music industry.
“It’s really tough,” said Gabe Goodman, the band’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist. “We’ve seen it at the battle of the bands we’ve been in. The focus is on image, and how bands energize a crowd and play pop music.”
The band’s commitment to substance-over-swag is starting to pay off. On Jan. 21, Closer Than We Appear will compete in the finals of the SchoolJam USA competition at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif. It is one of eight bands from across the U.S. that will try to win $5,000 for their school’s music department.
By qualifying for the finals, the foursome has already secured at least $1,000 for Scituate High School’s music program. The money is donated by the National Association of Music Merchants.
Self-described as an indie/alternative band, Closer Than We Appear consists of Goodman, a sophomore; bassist Jack Duff, a sophomore; lead guitarist and synthesist Max DiRado, a freshman; and drummer Ben Garman, a junior.
In the first round of the SchoolJam contest, 118 bands each submitted at least three original songs as well as YouTube videos from their live performances, all of which were featured on the SchoolJam website. A panel of judges and online voting totals determined the eight finalists.
Closer Than We Appear has played venues including the Middle East in Cambridge, the MGM Theater in Foxwoods, the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston and the New North Music Hall in Hingham. The band members’ musical influences include Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Phoenix and U2.
With a name inspired by the warning on a car mirror, the band said it owes a lot of its success to three Scituate instructors: high school band teacher Sally Tucker, music program director William Richter and Gates Intermediate music teacher Nadia Swartz.
The teens said executives from the music business will be on hand to watch their Disney performance. Because many consumers today are exposed to new music on the Internet, as opposed to TV or radio, Closer Than We Appear plans to keep relying on musical skills rather than trying to sell an image.
“We’re at a time in the music industry where everything is starting to change,” Duff said. - The Patriot Ledger

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), has announced the top eight qualifying bands in the third annual SchoolJam USA competition. The bands were chosen by a combination of public votes and a panel of music professionals. A national program that rewards both aspiring teen musicians and their respective school music programs, SchoolJam USA features the best amateur teen bands between the ages of 13 and 19.

On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the finalist bands will take center stage at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA.” The winning band will walk away with the grand prize trip of a lifetime to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 toward the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for their school music programs. The remaining finalists will also receive money to purchase new gear, as well as funding for their respective school music programs. Music from the finalist bands can be viewed by visiting www.schooljamusa.com.

The 2012 SchoolJam USA finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Almost Chaos (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Closer Than We Appear (Scituate, Mass.)
Ergo We Play (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Impakt (Los Angeles)
Jazz Avenue (San Diego)
Squash (Salt Lake City)
The Hi-Tops (Jeffersonville, Ind.)
The Interstellar Elevators (Weston, Conn.)
The SchoolJam USA program continues to grow exponentially with this year’s contestants hailing from more than 100 U.S. cities, including Raleigh, N.C., Chicago and Wahiawa, Hawaii. Additionally, the number of bands that entered the SchoolJam USA competition spiked by nearly 85 percent from 2010 with the online voting period drawing in more than 25,000 voters and a record-breaking 1.5 million pageviews to the website during the month of November.

“NAMM strongly supports teens’ passion to play music and keep music education programs alive in their schools,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “The SchoolJam USA program is dedicated to providing students across the country with an outlet to express themselves, the encouragement to pursue making music and a platform to showcase their musical talents.”

SchoolJam is an established music initiative, originally developed by MM MusikMedia Germany to promote popular and rock music in schools throughout Germany. The program has provided thousands of music-loving young adults with the opportunity to perform and network with their peers, increasing their love for playing music and encouraging them to become active musicians. - NAMM.org

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), has announced the top eight qualifying bands in the third annual SchoolJam USA competition. The bands were chosen by a combination of public votes and a panel of music professionals. A national program that rewards both aspiring teen musicians and their respective school music programs, SchoolJam USA features the best amateur teen bands between the ages of 13 and 19.

On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the finalist bands will take center stage at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA.” The winning band will walk away with the grand prize trip of a lifetime to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 toward the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for their school music programs. The remaining finalists will also receive money to purchase new gear, as well as funding for their respective school music programs. Music from the finalist bands can be viewed by visiting www.schooljamusa.com.

The 2012 SchoolJam USA finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Almost Chaos (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Closer Than We Appear (Scituate, Mass.)
Ergo We Play (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Impakt (Los Angeles)
Jazz Avenue (San Diego)
Squash (Salt Lake City)
The Hi-Tops (Jeffersonville, Ind.)
The Interstellar Elevators (Weston, Conn.)
The SchoolJam USA program continues to grow exponentially with this year’s contestants hailing from more than 100 U.S. cities, including Raleigh, N.C., Chicago and Wahiawa, Hawaii. Additionally, the number of bands that entered the SchoolJam USA competition spiked by nearly 85 percent from 2010 with the online voting period drawing in more than 25,000 voters and a record-breaking 1.5 million pageviews to the website during the month of November.

“NAMM strongly supports teens’ passion to play music and keep music education programs alive in their schools,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “The SchoolJam USA program is dedicated to providing students across the country with an outlet to express themselves, the encouragement to pursue making music and a platform to showcase their musical talents.”

SchoolJam is an established music initiative, originally developed by MM MusikMedia Germany to promote popular and rock music in schools throughout Germany. The program has provided thousands of music-loving young adults with the opportunity to perform and network with their peers, increasing their love for playing music and encouraging them to become active musicians. - NAMM.org

Ah...what a night, huh?  Makes you not want to go back to work, huh? Don't GO! Don't GO!  This show was HOT!   And no, not just because the boyz were good-lookin' either, but because the house was rockin' and the girls were 'flockin'...and for good reason.

The night featured popular up-n-comers, and N. Andover, MA heartthrobs, One Step Away , being warmed up nicely by a consistently fantastic array of musicianship by south-shore young bloods Closer Than We Appear (CTWA).

One Step Away (heretofor referred to as "OSA") had top-billing for this gig and shiny 'Best of Boston' performance credentials to prove it, and carted with them not only their soundman and P.A. down from up north, but also ALOT of Marshall stack amplifiers, drum risers, wireless mics and other arena-rock-cum-Jonas-brothers-live type show accoutrements. 

The current OSA line up is made up of:
Adam Carrington (Lead Vocals)
Terence Healy (Lead Guitar)
Mike Nuzzolo (Bass/Vocals)
Ben Trudeau (Drums)

When the dust settled and the last giddy school girl had taken her last iphoto with the bands, one couldnt be sure if this was a battle of the boy bands or just a bunch of great kids having an awesome time in the same venue that very well may have hosted a big-band dance night for their great-great-grandparents back in 1920, complete with derby hats and flapper dresses.

Closer Than We Appear are:
Gabe Goodman - 14, vocal and guitar
Max DiRado - 13, lead guitar
Jack Duff – 14, bass

Here's a quick run-down from the opening setlist by CTWA:
Silhouette  - opening song- jazzy..(max used wah wah pedal)
Sleeper Car- original
1,2,3,4  cover from plain white Ts
Distorted Figures - original
Title And Registration- Gabe and Max
Glass Houses- Original
Trapeze Swinger/under pressure/One - compilation they arranged of favorite songs- song from death cab for cutie, queen, U2 then back around to Iron and Wine 
The Last Bell- memorial song about teacher/friend, Dick Blake, who recently passed away
In The Darkness- newest piece- 2010 Gates songwriting comp winner
Just When You Think That It’s All Over- Possibly the standout song of the night, both vocally and lyrically and no secret why it won the lads the South Shore Conservatory's 2010 Songwriter's competition
The Bar Mitzvah Song- kind of a parody of one of their own songs - a bit of a "private joke" that turned into a Gates school crowd favorite. 
 
At the peak of the night, the venue was Standing Room Only (yes, they ran out of chairs)  We're thinking about 100-110 fans, who were caught somewhere between texting, oohing, ahhhing, oogling and stuffing down some serious pizza and having a @#$% good time doing it, too

One could not help but notice however, a dramatic thinning of the crowd after CTWA vacated the stage. It appeared to more than one observer, that well over 50% of the crowd had seen who they came to see and were content to bust loose and take on the night.

All told, it was a great night for all--and I am remiss that I did not get a set list from "OSA" to post here, but perhaps can track that down if there isnt some hidden fee for it, now that they are off to Hollywood to cut their new album. OSA left post-haste after the show (well, after they managed to pry 15 girls off of them, each) to set sail to the great state of PA to begin recording their new big time CD. Can't wait. Nickelodeon, here we come!

But steel yourself, because C.T.W.A, are getting ready for their recording session in early August 2010 and will have a TV appearance on Scorch's PFGtv cable show on MYTV network to air Aug 21!  Not sure what that is but it sounds like a blast. Also, CTWA did promise to make a triumphant and more effusive return to the stage at ol' New North late summer so get yer iphone ready to vibrate all on its own as the boys get THISCLOSE to your inner-ear. - New North Music

Like many situations that middle school boys get themselves into, it all started with a text message on a cell phone. But this is something that the parents of Max DiRado, Jack Duff, and Gabe Goodman approved of.

The three, students at Gates Intermediate School in Scituate, have won the first ever songwriting competition of the Hingham-based South Shore Conservatory, beating out about 17 other songwriters - all adults.

"Never in a million years did they expect to win this,' said Wendy Goldstein, DiRado's mother. "It was not a composition contest for kids."

The winning song, "Just When You Think That It's All Over,' was selected the champion by online voting and a panel of judges. The boys were put over the top not by the voting, but by the panel of judges, Goldstein said.

The three boys first collaborated last year in the Gates School's annual songwriting competition. Goodman [far right], 14, and DiRado [center], 13, who live across the street from one another, have been playing together for years. But last year, the two invited Duff, 14, to play with them. The three have been collaborating ever since -- on cell phones.

Usually, it works like this: Goodman gets an idea for a song. "A lot of times, they are failed attempts,' he explains. "It's kind of like a rough draft."

Goodman records that draft on his cell phone and sends it to DiRado and Duff, who then give feedback via text message. The three usually get together once a week, and that's when they work out the finer details.

DiRado and Duff are also composing more and more songs, and the group is finally becoming one organism, not just three teenagers jamming together.

"We've come a long way from last year,' Goodman said.

Their tastes in music vary. DiRado likes alternative rock, Dave Matthews, and State Radio. Gabe cites "Modest Mouse' and "Death Cab for Cutie' as his favorites, but Duff, when he cites the Beatles as his favorite band, unites the three, whose band is called "Closer Than We Appear.'

"Oh yeah!' cries DiRado, face lighting up, when reminded of the British invasion.

As a reward, the winning song will be featured on the South Shore Conservatory's website in June, and the band was selected to headline an open mike night last week in Duxbury. (The video above shows them performing their winning song that night.)

Music isn't the only thing the boys love. Duff has been active in Gates School's Future City team, Goodman plays a lot of sports, and both will attend Scituate High School next month. DiRado will continue into eighth grade at Gates.

The three expect to continue writing songs and playing together at various venues -- They've been invited to open for a North Andover band called "One Step Ahead' next month.

"Everything's coming out exactly how we want it,' Duff said of their music and collaborations.
- The Boston Globe