by Lexi Bissonnette
“It turned out we all had a bronze radio growing up,” says Chris Henderson, the lead singer and guitarist for Bronze Radio Return, referring to himself and his bandmates.
But what is he referring to besides the name of the band he plays in that’s taking the music industry by storm? He was talking about a radio he spent his childhood listening to and learning from, something that represented a beacon to him. Their name, Bronze Radio Return, is a reflection on that.
They certainly are a beacon in the music industry already. Currently they have over 50+ commercial spots featuring their song “Shake Shake Shake” that include Behr Paints for Home Depot, ABC Family, ESPN, HBP, USA, and many others.
Commercials and television soundtracks are an up and coming way for bands to kick-start their career and Henderson certainly believes they are helpful. “We see it as a way to get our music out to more people. I’ve said it before but even if it goes out to a million people on a commercial and only 2000 look us up, that’s 2000 more people [than before].”
Henderson thinks the commercial marketing is a valuable tool that will certainly help them find success. Not only do they get to celebrate every time their song is aired, but it’s also brought more people out to their live shows.
Hearing themselves on not just the radio, but television as well has been awesome for the band. But what might be even cooler is how it all came full circle for Henderson. He was sitting in his house in Hartford, CT just writing music one day and he was right back there the first time he heard his song on TV.
“Flash forward eight months later and I was sitting in the same room I write it in and saw it on American Idol. It was cool to see the same cycle of writing it in that room and seeing it being used for the first time in that room.”
Bronze Radio Return has also had a chance to work at the Wreckroom recording music. “It was cool,” says Henderson. ” We got to hang out with [Adrian Grenier] for a little bit. It’s a cool setup.”
They’re climbing up the ladder of success quickly and it’s given Henderson a great memory. Bronze Radio Return has been playing the NYC circuit for four years, but this next time they’ll be playing at the Bowery Ballroom to a sold out crowd. And tonight, they’re here in Philly at World Cafe Live. Henderson enjoys seeing the bands progression.
“This whole thing has been a pretty exciting learning process.” It’s also been a process that helped the band grow and evolve. “The evolution comes from doing it more and more. I look forward to seeing where the evolution will go,” says Henderson.
The band has some pretty hefty plans for 2014 including three music festivals on cruise ships and hopes to record a new record. Henderson is ready to take it all on. “I think it’s going to be a busy year and everything is fired up to get going. I think it’s going to be a really good year.”
