The
Commuters might hail from New York, but their kinetic, personally revealing
anthems capture an alt-rock essence that aspires toward worldwide appeal. Their
commercial debut (As I Make My Way – EP) was released at the end of August, and
is comprised of 4 songs — “As I Make My Way,” “Bombs Away,” “Fallen From
Grace,” and “You’ll Stay Right Here” — all from their upcoming album, Rescue,
due out in early 2012. Their video for “As I Make My Way” was added to mtvU’s
rotation in early October and they have received extensive airplay at college
radio stations throughout the US.
Right from
the outset of both releases (mastered by White Stripes/Ryan Adams collaborator
Fred Kevorkian), The Commuters’ signature attributes are front and center. Lead
single, “As I Make My Way,” has it all: an unforgettable hook, huge guitars
that ring and echo and a grounded rhythm section that anchors the track’s
precise tension. Elsewhere, you can hear traces of Peter Gabriel’s work with
Daniel Lanois nudge against the delicate bite of Automatic/Monster-era R.E.M.
The latter is particularly evident in the title track’s feedback thrust and
circa-Bends Radiohead gets channeled via the poised, melodic moodiness of album
standout “Fallen from Grace.” And what ties all this together are the
Commuters’ poignant lyrics, which eschew cryptic sermonizing, focusing instead
on transparently human experiences and emotions.
Such
richness and diversity on an inaugural release is no happenstance. As their
name suggests, the Commuters have traveled through a lifetime of musical
influences, but it’s their own personal global journeys that have guided the
foursome to something universal but prevailingly intimate. Before forming the
Commuters in 2010, Canadian-born, Philippines-raised frontman Zeeshan Zaidi
(whose parents were born in Pakistan and India) spent many years in the music
industry. His early accomplishments included producing and engineering
Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Leslie’s first demo, and he subsequently worked in
the marketing departments of major labels in New York helping to develop the
careers of other versatile artists, including OutKast and Cee Lo Green. During
this time, Zaidi was also honing his craft as a singer, songwriter and
musician, performing around New York’s open mic circuit. When the time arrived
to put his own abilities as a performer front and center, he immediately shared
a dozen demos of his songs with childhood friend, New York-based producer and
soon-to-be Commuters guitarist Uri Djemal, who was also raised in the
Philippines (by parents of Israeli and American descent). The two got to work
co-producing the album at Djemal’s Madpan Studios in Manhattan, where he had
produced many well-known artists in New York’s indie-rock scene. Says Zaidi:
“Uri’s studio was a few blocks from my apartment and he was telling me for
years to come work on my songs there. One day — when I knew it was time — I
just walked over and we started.”
Soon, they
were joined by Djemal’s previous collaborator, French-raised Ben Zwerin on bass
and Italian-American upstate New York native Paul Amorese behind the drums,
solidifying the current lineup. Zwerin, the son of an American trombonist and
rock critic based in Paris, had previously played and toured extensively with many
renowned world and jazz musicians. Amorese had been playing professionally
since the age of 14, performing in numerous bands throughout New York City and
state. The material that would become Rescue had firmly connected with its
improbable shepherds.
The band is
signed to Zaidi’s New York-based label, Communal Records. Having established
themselves at noted hometown venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including
Arlene’s Grocery, Lit Lounge and Spike Hill, and received blog acclaim in the
U.S. and abroad, the Commuters are eager to build their US presence and also
extend their experiences outward to an international audience. As Zaidi
explains, the already-dynamic tracks on Rescue “sound energetic and alive” on
stage. “We love creating songs in the studio but performing them for live
audiences is even more exciting,” he continues. “A lot of our online fans in
different countries ask when we’re going to play in their hometowns – and we
want to make it to all those places.”
And while
every band aims to last, the Commuters’ unique combination of its members’
personal histories and creative backgrounds leading up to this moment
foreshadows a longer and brighter future than most. “Our hope and our goal is
to be around for as long as possible,” says Zaidi. “We want to build this over
time — the first album is just the start.”
The Commuters are:
Zeeshan Zaidi – Vocals,
Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Songwriter, Co-Producer
Uri Djemal – Guitar, Keyboards, Co-Producer
Ben Zwerin – Bass
Paul Amorese – Drums
Psychedelic, Alternative, New Wave, Dark Wave – (2000 to 2019)
Psychedelic, Alternative, New Wave, Dark Wave – (2020 to 2029)
Rock, Alternative - (2010 to 2019)
Rock, Alternative – (2020 to 2029)
Soft Rock, Lite Rock, Alternative – (2010 to 2019)
Soft Rock, Lite Rock, Alternative – (2020 to 2029)
Pop Rock – (2000 to 2019)
Pop Rock - (2020 to 2029)
Folk Rock, Acoustic – (2010 to 2019)
Folk Rock, Acoustic – (2020 to 2029)
Hard Rock, Heavy Metal – (2000 to 2019)
Punk Rock, High Energy Rock n Roll – (2000 to 2019)
Southern Rock, Alt Country – (2000 to 2019)
Classic, New Age Classic
New Age Alternative
Ambient, Electronic, Relaxation
Music for the Revolutionary Mind
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