At first glance, Young Rising Sons appear to be like most bands that appeal to the teen music fan set, and to some extent that view is right. Andy, the lead singer, mentioned that girls were lining up at 7 o’clock in the morning, so they could be in the very front once the show started, which was at 7pm, in case you were wondering. This Jersey-based proud band, know all the right techniques to win over the many young hearts in the crowd, without even realizing they are doing them. For example, pointing and making eye contact with fans, unbuttoned shirts on stage, whiskey bottles in hand while performing (ok maybe that one just won over my heart.) The big one though… surprising everyone by filming and using the live footage from the show for a new music video! How fucking cool is this band? My favorite part was when they covered Modern English’s, “I Melt With You!” Call me a romantic, but I love it.
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Equally as riveting, was the opening act, Hunter Hunted. Their feel-good set was highlighted by the beautiful violinist, which made me think of the musical, Spring Awakening. This band was a breath of fresh air.
Hunter Hunted
Hunter Hunted
Hunter Hunted
To some people I’m a reporter, a music critic, or a photojournalist. Call me whatever you want. It doesn’t matter because according to one of Young Rising Son’s favorite movies, Almost Famous, band members will always see me as the enemy they can’t help but love. There is something about sitting on an old cigarette burned couch while interviewing the lead singer (Andy) and drummer (Steve) of “Young Rising Sons,” that makes me realize these bands we worship and wish we could be friends with are normal people just like the rest of us. Yes! They are talented, good-looking and ooze confidence, but they like to joke around, party and even have their own personal struggles. This is a genuine band who all seem to respect each other and have similar goals and dreams. I have a big feeling they’ll accomplish them all.
P&W: How did you guys start Young Rising Sons?
Steve: Trial and error basically. Way back in the day, Dylan and I started playing music together because I filled in for his drummer in his old band. Then we met Julian the same way by just playing the local show circuit. We realized we desperately needed a singer though, so that’s where this guy came in!
Andy: Yeah! I’m originally from Ohio and went to school here in the city. I was just playing acoustic/open mic one night and they happened to be there!
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P&W: It must’ve been fate! I see you have a “Sons” tattoo. That’s pretty awesome!
Andy: We all have it!
Steve: Yea it was one of the first things we did.
P&W: Speaking of tattoos… I was stalking your twitter, no big deal! I saw that one of your fans got a tattoo of your lyrics? How does that make you feel?
Steve: It’s weird! It has been a trend recently, too. Some people will ask us to sign their bodies! Andy and Dylan specifically will always say “please don’t get this tattooed.” It’s strange because it’s permanently going on someone’s body. If it means something to them, that’s great and fucking awesome, but it’s still nerve-wracking.
Andy: A couple of nights ago somebody came up to me and I remember writing out what this girl wanted and then she showed me the actual tattoo. It’s crazy and rewarding!
P&W: How would you describe your aesthetic as a band?
Andy: Umm.. I don’t know? Like fashion sense wise? The way I’m dressed right now I feel like I just came back from a drug binge weekend at Woodstock. Our aesthetic isn’t something we lose sleep over necessarily. We have a general direction and try to be cohesive with one another. Steve: We stay true to ourselves and just create art that is suitable to the people we are because it’s not about trying to be some bullshit cool band.
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P&W: How’s tour been so far?
Steve: It’s cool! This is one of the first times we tested how we sold tickets as a headliner and it’s crazy to think how everyone at the show is actually there to see you. Especially when we’re at a venue we played at once before, but now it’s sold out.
P&W: Another example would be having your hit “High” be featured on the new pepsi commercial! What was your first reaction to that?
Steve: That’s one of those things where I feel like you’re always in business mode. So, I heard about it and at first it was kind of like ok cool! Then, just go back to focusing on the tour and writing. BUT THEN you hear it on TV and forgot all about it which is really exciting!!
Andy: All that stuff is cool, but it’s nothing like actually playing for people. Pepsi can use every one of our songs, but if people don’t come to our shows, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a cherry on top.
Steve: Hearing people sing every word back to you is amazing. Even songs we haven’t even released yet people find them and learn every single lyric.
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P&W: So, I hear that your pre-show ritual was inspired by one of my favorite movies, “Almost Famous!” Let’s pretend your William Miller, the young reporter, who got to tour with a band he looked up to. What band would be your “Stillwater?”
Andy: Oh man! I would say The Killers or Kings of Leon.
Steve: Queen I guess or The Wombats!
P&W: Time for Rushed Nosey Questions… #1 on your bucket list?
Andy: First thing that came to my mind was sky diving, but I’ve already done that. So, sell out red rocks.
Steve: Harry Potter World.
P&W: Favorite song off the album?
Steve & Andy: On the new album, “Home To You.”
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P&W: All social media networks die except one, which one would you spare?
Steve & Andy: Everyone would pick Instagram, but we like twitter.
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P&W: Era of music you wish you could’ve been a part of?
Andy: Motown
Steve: I would’ve been a bootlegger in the roaring 20’s
P&W: Last band you saw before you started touring?
Andy: Breathe for you
Steve: The Killers and they were fucking awesome.
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P&W: Guilty Pleasure?
Andy: Video games?
Steve: I love Iggy Azalea… I just really like that one song… WAIT! No it’s Demi Lovato. I get them confused. Pop music isn’t my forte. That’s why we play rock music!
Article: Kayla Klein
