Name: Those Manic Seas
Members: Daniel Medley (Drums, Sampling), Drew Rollo (Guitar, Synths), Justin Jones (Keys), Kilroy (Vocals)
Genre: Indie-Dance, Art-Rock
From: Richmond, VA
Record Label: Spirit Racer Records
Contact: webpage / facebook / twitter / instagram / spotify / iTunes / amazon
MUSIC
VIDEO
PRESS PHOTOS (credit: Eric Carlson)
BIOGRAPHY
Driven by their sonic capabilities just as much as their visual aspect, Richmond quartet Those Manic Seas is quickly making a name for themselves as one of the music world’s rising acts. The group, composed of Kilroy (vocals), Drew Rollo (guitar), Justin Jones (keys), Daniel Medley (drums), have just returned from their first DIY national tour, where they visited fifty cities and two countries to showcase their mesmerizing sound and atypical live performance, that challenges the traditional relationship between the crowd and performers.
While much will be said and written about the band’s irregular frontman, the stalwart Kilroy, it’s the band’s pure musical talent that will leave audiences in awe and yearning for more from the young group. Mixing the sometimes polarizing styles of shoegaze, art rock, and post-rock, Those Manic Seas find themselves at an interesting place on the musical spectrum. Halfway between the power rock of Arctic Monkeys and the tonal exploration of Interpol, the band is just as comfortable in rhythmic grooves as they are spacious concepts. The band derives much influence from the intricate soundscapes of Broken Social Scene as well as the complete sonic and visual production of MUTEMATH and it is these influences that have created a concrete identity that will be seen by the world on their debut LP that will be self-released in the first quarter of 2016.
Founded in 2012, the young band is another byproduct of Richmond’s eclectic music scene featuring established artists from GWAR to Matthew E. White as well as bands on the cusp of breaking out such as Sleepwalkers and Lucy Dacus. Despite all the talent though, Those Manic Seas have been able to establish themselves as one of, if not the, premier band in the region. In 2013, the band released their critically acclaimed “Headache / Heartache” 7” that really started to give the band their first taste of attention outside of Virginia.
With their debut LP entering the final stages of completion and being partially produced by Darren King of MUTEMATH, the band is primed to make a big impact nationwide. From the mesmerizing performances of Kilroy, the frantic drumming, the melodic bass lines, and the atmospheric guitar hooks, all signs point to Those Manic Seas becoming music’s hottest new discovery in 2016.
TOUR DATES
1/28: Richmond, VA – Balliceaux
1/29: Raleigh, NC – Slim’s
1/30: Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
1/31: Greensboro, NC – New York Pizza
2/1: Charlotte, NC – The Milestone
2/3: Asheville, NC – The Odditorium
2/5: Atlanta, GA – Under The Couch
2/6: Athens, GA – Flicker Bar
2/7: Knoxville, TN – Preservation Pub
2/8: Charleston, WV – The Empty Glass
2/9: Cincinnati, OH – Da Vida House
2/10: Louisville, KY – Third Street Dive
2/11: Huntsville, AL – Coppertop
2/12: Nashville, TN – The Basement
2/13: St. Louis, MO – The Demo
2/14: Champaign, IL – Undercut Collective
2/15: Chicago, IL – Township
2/17: Indianapolis, IN – Melody Inn
2/18: Pittsburgh, PA – Howlers
2/19: Manhattan, NY – Arlene’s Grocery
2/20: New Brunswick, NJ – House show
2/22: Brooklyn, NY – Black Bear
2/23: Allentown, PA – Alternative Gallery
2/24: Philadelphia, PA – Bourbon and Branch
2/25: Harrisburg, PA – The Makespace
2/26: Baltimore, MD – Hippo Hut
2/28: Washington, DC – TBA