{"id":4678,"date":"2010-05-19T09:45:09","date_gmt":"2010-05-19T13:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/?p=4678"},"modified":"2010-05-19T09:45:09","modified_gmt":"2010-05-19T13:45:09","slug":"austins-next-big-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/2010\/05\/19\/austins-next-big-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"Austin's Next Big Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"alpha_rev\"<\/a>Austin, TX knows a thing or two about music.<\/p>\n

The home of musical institutions from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Austin City Limits, SxSW to Stubbs BBQ and Antone\u2019s, the central Texas town knows music.\u00a0 After all, they don\u2019t call it the Live Music Capital of the World for nothing.<\/p>\n

So when we tell you Alpha Rev<\/a> is one of the most unique and important bands ever to come out of Austin, you can believe it. \u00a0Last March, Alpha Rev was recognized by the Austin Chronicle as one of Austin\u2019s best performing rock bands and in May they were named Austin\u2019s best rock band by Rare Magazine in their annual \u201cRareist of them All\u201d issue.<\/p>\n

You can chalk up much of the acclaim to band frontman Casey McPherson.\u00a0 He\u2019s well-known in these parts, having made an impression on the local scene with his previous band, Endochine.\u00a0 When Endochine dissolved in 2005, it had already made its bones in indie circles by sharing the stage with the likes of Pete Yorn and Bob Schneider, and national credibility by playing with more high-profile bands like Staind and Red Hot Chili Peppers.\u00a0 McPherson simply moved forward, assembling some of his former bandmates and mixing in some new blood and Alpha Rev was born.<\/p>\n

McPherson\u2019s haunting yet uplifting vocals give the band its distinctive sound, its pipeline to the soul of the band.\u00a0 But Alpha Rev is more than just a voice; Derek Dunivan (guitar), Tommy Roalson (drums), Dave Wiley (cello), Alex Dunlap (bass), Brian Batch (violin) and Derek Morris (keyboards) create a unique mix of catchy pop with classical undertones.\u00a0 Together, Alpha Rev creates a style of music that resonates with not only fans, but other musicians.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although they released their debut album in 2007, The Greatest Thing I\u2019ve Ever Learned, generated quite a bit of buzz locally but was ultimately never released nationwide. \u00a0\u00a0Despite that, the band toured constantly, refining its sound and garnering recognition many bands with dozens of albums under their belts never achieve.\u00a0 \u00a0Most recently, the group was named VH-1\u2019s \u201cYou Oughta Know\u201d Artist on the Rise for April, a monthly honor that puts them in pretty esteemed company.\u00a0 Previous winners include GRAMMY nominees and winners including The Killers, Snow Patrol, Adele, Keane, John Legend and Amy Winehouse.\u00a0 Alpha Rev\u2019s music has also been featured on several hit television shows, including Bravo\u2019s \u201cNYC Prep,\u201d ABC-TV\u2019s \u201cGreek\u201d and the CW\u2019s \u201cMelrose Place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now the band stands ready to release its major label debut album \u2013 New Morning on Hollywood Records, set to drop on April 27 \u2013 and early indications are that it could very well take Alpha Rev from \u201cIndie darling\u201d to household name.\u00a0 Produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, The Strokes, Sublime), the album covers a lot of emotional territory. \u00a0It\u2019s one of those albums that reveals new meaning with successive plays, giving the listener greater insight into Casey and Alpha Rev\u2019s world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Work Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just because the album is put to bed, doesn\u2019t mean Casey and the band take it easy.\u00a0 No, now it\u2019s important for them to keep busy and show the label, the fans and themselves they are worthy of being on a bigger literal and figurative stage. \u00a0The album (with SONAR prominent on the list of software tools used in production), the fanfare and the mass exposure will come soon enough, upon the album\u2019s release.\u00a0 For now they must stay sharp, while working out the new material in a live setting and laying the groundwork for growth.\u00a0 Casey even takes some of the material that didn\u2019t make it onto the album and with a V-Studio 100 incorporates it into their live sets.\u00a0 He\u2019s a seasoned veteran and knows this is a crucial time.<\/p>\n