Today, indie bands are blessed with a variety of options for getting their names and music out to potential listeners. And some acts, like Northampton’s The Sun Parade, are wasting little time in putting such conduits to use.
Recently, the folk-rockers took to the Web to help finance a tour that saw them play their way to the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas earlier this month. By posting a video to the website IndieGoGo.com, the group was able to raise money for gas and food, and in return supporters were given gifts from the band based on the amount of money they donated to the effort.
With “perks and promise” ranging from signed copies of The Sun Parade’s forthcoming full-length album to a complete show performed by the band at a fan’s house and more, the interaction between listeners and musicians was seen as an incredible asset by vocalist and guitarist Chris Jennings.
“We had a lot of shows booked at SXSW, and along the way, we needed people’s help to get there,” he says.
Having first formed The Sun Parade to recreate live the sounds of a six-song EP he recorded at SpiritHouse Recording Studio in 2010, Jennings was contacted by childhood friend Jefferson Lewis (mandolin, guitar, vocals) in January, 2011 about a possible joint project. After some time spent jamming together, the pair decided to join forces and soon transitioned the band to a cooperative unit in which both members would contribute to the songwriting.
“He [Lewis] came to play a few gigs in February, and we connected so well on these songs and started to write new songs together [that] he just never left,” says Jennings. “From then on, The Sun Parade was a partnership. Our voices complemented each other so well, and we were on the same page with how we want to live life.”
Along with Jacob Rosazza (bass) and Doni McAulay (drums) plus current touring members Mark Schilling (drums) and Mike Parham (bass), Jennings and Lewis have quickly gained a following in the Pioneer Valley. Melding a blend of ’60s pop with quirky indie rock, the group has headlined the Iron Horse and took the stage at last year’s Transperformance outfitted as Kings of Leon.
Jennings says, “We are Beatles freaks, to say the least. We are not afraid to lay ourselves out and give up our vulnerable side to emotions and love. The Beatles portrayed emotions in their songs, and that’s what we are trying to do as well.”
Still, even though they’ve been back from their SXSW tour for only few days, the guys aren’t ready to cool their heels just yet. A CD release party for the band’s first full-length album is planned for April 7 at the Iron Horse.
“We are all about singing as high and as loud as we can,” says Jennings. “I guess the ultimate goal is to make you cry while you sweat from dancing.”
The Sun Parade: April 7, 10 p.m., Iron Horse Music Hall, 20 Center St., Northampton, (413) 586-8686, www.iheg.com, www.thesunparade.com.
