|
|
Not Just Another Pop-Punk Band
Jacob Kanclerz
|
Despite never having listened to them before, when I received a list of local bands to cover, I jumped at A Letter to You, just on name recognition. Having been a staple on Fusion Shows’ roster, it was only a matter of time before a local music fanatic like I am would come across them.
Hot off its release of the self-titled debut EP, A Letter to You has enjoyed plenty of success in its time. Seven-hundred hard copies of the EP have already gone out, as well as $4,000 in international sales on iTunes. The band has played a variety of big concerts around the MSU area, including Sparty’s Spring Party with Hellogoodbye, an RHA concert with Jack’s Mannequin and an ASMSU concert with Anberlin, all relatively big names for the genre.
A Letter to You currently consists of Drew Irwin as guitarist, singer Jay Saper and Nate “Dogg” Wethy as additional guitarists, Trevor Bell as bassist and Evan Rudman on drums. The band based its name around a favorite lyric that went “so long sincerity…” because the guys felt that sincerity needs to be brought back to music, and they chose the medium of writing a letter to represent that ideal.
With influences ranging from Blink 182 to Coldplay, A Letter to You brings plenty of variety to the genre of pop-punk, which can be very repetitive if not done right. The band definitely presents a fresh, summery sound on their EP, which goes a long way in the presentation. The band kicks off well with “A Midwest Sunrise,” an upbeat punk-styled song featuring a nice little bridge with repeated lyrics to good effect.
ALTY changes pace frequently, with Irwin going from whispered lyrics and clean guitars to catchy and upbeat choruses. The band can definitely be compared to a rougher-on-the-edges version of The Almost or even Relient K. The EP ends with another keeper, “I’m Fine, Thanks for Asking.”
For still being considered a local band, A Letter to You brings a very sophisticated and mature presence to its music. Anybody who can enjoy the styling of a pop-punk outfit and who needs a fresh outlook on the scene will enjoy A Letter to You. To add to the list of accomplishments already made by ALTY, the band wants to record a full-length next summer, and with plans to play unannounced (as of now) concerts in the MSU area this fall, there will be plenty of new material from the young band. If you don’t recognize the name A Letter to You now, it’s only a matter of time before you do.
Questions? Comments? Contact Jacob Kanclerz at kanclerz@msu.edu
|
|
