by Mely Duong
Nine Sons of Dan is a pop rock band with vague hints of an indie, alternative, rock and roll sound. The group hails all the way from Australia and consists of Jay Bainbridge (vocals), Daniel Cox (lead guitar), Alex “Pidgey” Pundyk (rhythm guitar), Morgan “Flakey” Blake (drums), and Wil Edgar (bass). I was fortunate enough to stumble across this band and their recently released Follow The Blood EP out in early May. As a fantastic kickoff to the summer, the album provides a great deal of variety for listeners, which is why it was difficult for me to even begin to define their sound.
More often than not I found myself surprised that the band could cross so many genres over the course of six songs. Furthermore, I was left wondering if each song was sung by a different vocalist. The tone of the vocals changed so fluidly from one song to the next, clear and strong in one to distinctive and sweeter in another. However, each song was sung by the main vocalist Bainbridge, who has executed each song perfectly to the best of his technical ability. It is a testament to his passion for music and for each individual song that has allowed him to perform each song in a manner of a chameleon, with each song sounding markedly quite different from each other. Let’s not forget about the other members either as each of them rise to the occasion by providing a solid melody and rhythm allowing for a fully cohesive song with each instrument’s sound intertwining with another to fully enhance the audience’s auditory experience. Actually not catering to a specific genre has served them well, producing music from the heart that many will find pleasing melodically, rhythmically, and lyrically.
As Bainbridge states, “I’m only young and I’m still searching for my voice.” Although this particular quote reflects upon the vocalist solely, much of the band’s working can be viewed not as a change over the years, but rather as a constant evolution, a quality that will serve them well as they strive to improve over the coming years.
As Edgar states confidently, “both personally, and as a band, we have grown in maturity and a musical understanding. Jay has really embraced his song writing ability and over time has built a solid working relationship with Flakey to create songs that are of much substance. Working with well-seasoned producers and musicians has been a major influence of our recordings and development of our personal craft. I guess with our life experience and the wisdom gained in good time, so too has our sound.”
Their early work while still solid was slightly fluffier. Yet, they have come a long way over the past few years as a bunch of mates who formed a band as a university project. Their sound and lyrics have gained a lot more substance and have seen a substantial improvement attesting to their skill and dedication by giving their absolute all to the band. Maintaining a professional attitude, Nine Sons of Dan can attribute their success to their honest communication.
“If we find a weakness, we work together to overcome it and reinforce it with titanium. We are good friends as much as we are band members.” It’s this resilient and open quality that allows no weaknesses to be heard on the EP. Each song is as good as the next, with each song providing a new facet for listeners and also portraying the bands journey for developing their sound.
However, that’s not to say that I don’t have a favorite song. For me, “Young Bloods” is the clear winner, showcasing everyone’s strengths while striking a chord with young generations in the heartfelt lyrics. Although the lyrics are deep, Bainbridge comments that he only writes about things that he knows, has felt, or experienced, which are things that everyday people can relate to and escape to with the EP.
It is quite clear why the public has loved the album, the reception having surpassed the band’s own expectations as they were worried whether the public would understand their new direction, having been off the grid for a while with recording. No worries there to be quite blunt. The album has been an inspiration as has the humble band, who went on tour in Australia after the release of their album. Over the next year, the band hopes to tour internationally. Hopefully they come to the United States. Other than that a full album might be in the works, and if such happens, expect a full clear concept. To learn more about the band visit their site, http://www.ninesonsofdan.com.
[youtube height=”HEIGHT” width=”WIDTH”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88zL9BI8fVU[/youtube]
