- Days Between Stations
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Days Between Stations Origin Los Angeles, California Genres Art rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, space rock[1] Years active 2003-present Labels Bright Orange Records USA Website Days Between Stations Members Sepand Samzadeh
Oscar FuentesDays Between Stations is the creative partnership between guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes. The duo came together in Los Angeles in November 2003, and named the band after the 1985 novel by Steve Erickson. The band’s sound – Samzadeh calls it “art-rock,” Fuentes labels it “post-prog” – reflects their varied influences, as well as a shared disregard for stylistic boundaries.
Indeed, on different tracks from their upcoming self-titled debut album, one can hear influences ranging from progressive rock (Pink Floyd, Marillion, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, King Crimson) to post-rock (Sigur Rós, Godspeed You Black Emperor!) to ambient (Brian Eno, early Tangerine Dream) to jazz-rock (think Miles Davis’ early seventies output) to post-punk (Sonic Youth, Magazine) and even contemporary classical (Philip Glass, Steve Reich). The constant here is the band’s commitment to create a unique sound and to turn a deliberate blind eye to the passing whims of the mainstream.
To help flesh out the sound in the studio, the band contacted former Young Dubliners drummer Jon Mattox in 2005. Mattox (currently also with label-mates Uni) liked what he heard, and signed on not only as drummer but also as co-producer. The band further enlisted the help of guitarist Jeremy Castillo (also with the up-and-coming Mighty Six Ninety), Argentinian-born bassist Vivi Rama, sax player Jason Hemmens, singer Hollie Shepard, trumpeter Sean Erick, and trombonist Kevin Williams. Samzadeh’s uncle Jeffrey Samzadeh, who sings traditional Iranian classical music, also lent his distinctive, plaintive wail to the track Requiem for the Living.
According to the band, release of the album has been pushed back several times as band members struggled through very difficult times, including the devastating death of a family member. At one point, there was serious doubt that the project would ever be finished. In the end, this turmoil certainly influenced the dark, introspective nature of much of the material (as evidenced by some song titles: Requiem for the Living, Laudanum, A Long Goodbye, The Wake).
A welcome boost to morale came in 2004, when Fuentes and Samzadeh sent Bruce Soord, leader of the British band The Pineapple Thief, a CD with nearly an hour’s worth of mostly improvised material. Soord used some of this material as the basis for the song Saturday, which appeared on The Pineapple Thief’s 12 Stories Down (Cyclops 2004) and also on the 2CD version of its U.S. counterpart, 10 Stories Down (Cyclops 2005) – (12 Stories Down quickly sold out, although you can occasionally find a copy on eBay for a hefty sum).
The band has persevered and delivered an uncompromising debut they are proud of. And while much of the material on the album is dark (and deals, albeit instrumentally, with dark themes) and quite long – Requiem for the Living, which opens the album, is over 13 minutes long, while the epic closer Laudanum clocks in at over 22 minutes – the band does exhibit a “light” side. For example, Radio Song (with its vocoderized refrain of “Run! Run! Run!” that brings to mind Science Fiction films from the 50s) suggests a marriage between early Marillion and early U2 and has been chosen as the lead-off single from the album, as well as being featured in the recently-released independent film Young Single & Angry and its accompanying soundtrack.
Days Between Stations' debut CD, released in October 2007, on Bright Orange Records, was engineered by Evren Goknar of the Capitol Mastering team who is best known for his work with Queensryche, Red Hot Chili Peppers and recently Yes.
Their debut CD took the worldwide music community by storm (and surprise!). The fervid reaction to the California-based ensemble's self-titled debut CD from fans and critics alike has been overwhelming to say the least! "Days Between Stations eponymous first album is proof that hope must rule the world," Proggnosis recently proclaimed.
The band's debut CD has been garnering rave reviews from the music press across the planet as well as heavy radio airplay. Dutch prog magazine IO Pages has deemed Days Between Stations debut CD "one of the ten best of 2007". Even amongst the duo's musical peers, the adulations have been forthright: Legendary guitarist Peter Banks, formerly of prog-rock giants Yes and Flash, had this to say about the duo's new CD: "Days Between Stations offer an inventive, eclectic mix of electronics: sometimes relaxed sound-washes interspersed with a rhythm-driven force... the subtle textures are played with a refreshing honesty and openness underpinned with an authentic transparency of sound that avoids most of the pitfalls and potholes of scary 'prog' ".
Here's what the music press have been raving about Days Between Stations:
"The group describe their style as art rock and post-prog. Perhaps, but its main force is the melodic ambiance created which is, in my view, more space rock, almost mesmerizing and trance inducing. Their music is never heavy or metal sounding. The intricacy and complexity of the composition with the choice of instruments makes this debut album an instant classic." Proggnosis
"All in all, Days Between Stations gives us a well rounded take on "young" space rock (or post-prog, if you please) with a constantly shifting kaleidoscope of scenario and orchestrations. Reassuring to see that the genre is passing into competent hands." Progressive Ears
"... a ghostly museum where Pink Floyd, King Crimson, The Divine Comedy, Brian Eno, Radiohead, Air or Anathema stand next to one another... with a touching modesty and a disturbing humanity, the musicians act like experienced pilots. They invite us to take a seat in this train of life, for an internal journey, using a rhythm displayed with an impressive regularity." Progressia
"Days Between Stations has to be one of the most exciting prog bands I've heard in many years! ... this is a pure magic progressive rock album... " ProgPlanet
"The response has been amazing," says Oscar Fuentes. "I know it's cliché but it does give you a feeling of validation." "It gives us confidence to try new ideas and take even greater risks," adds Sepand Samzadeh. "Our influences are our parents, yet like any soul that wants distinction and recognition we constantly fall and scrape our knees by flirting with new ideas and pushing each other creatively”. Although the music press has been comparing the band's sound to that of Pink Floyd, with influences ranging from Marillion to Nirvana to Porcupine Tree to John Coltrane the duo is quick to point out, "We don't try to be anyone other than Days Between Stations!" The self-titled CD can be obtained through Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes and the group's official website www.daysbetweenstations.com.
"... ranks up there with the best of them... it could be deemed a modern classic progressive rock album... I know this will be on my 'Favorite Releases of 2007' " - Prognaut
In the meantime, Sepand and Oscar are currently preparing to release an EP of non-album tracks, but the end of 2008: "There is one track from the early writing sessions called 'Sundays', and that will probably be on it," says Oscar. "It's a very dark, melancholy ambient piece that was one of those 'happy accidents' from a live improvisation."
To the elation of Days Between Stations fans worldwide, the group has ventured back into the recording studio to work on new material for the next CD. "I think we will probably take the same 'anything goes' approach as we did with the first one," Oscar explains about the duo's new music. "Oscar and I are just beginning a journey of finding out what we are about," concludes Sepand. "Our rule is to be truthful to ourselves, and to venture out as far as possible without worrying about people's opinions."
Along with recording the new CD, and release of the band's EP, plans for live performances by Days Between Stations are currently in the works.
Contents
Band history
2003-2007
Sepand, placed an ad in the Music Connection magazine, looking for musical collaboraton. The ad described that he wanted to work on an experimental album, and listed his influeneces. He also mentioned the well quoted "No Egos, No Drugs" comment. Oscar and Sepand had instant chemisrty and began their musical aspirations in November 2003.
2007-present
Work has started on a second album and a possible release of out-takes from the first album on an EP.
Band members
2003-present
- Sepand Samzadeh – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, keyboards
- Oscar Fuentes – keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Bass
Discography
Compact disks
Year Album Artist 2007 Days Between Stations Days Between Stations Notable or frequent contributors
- Jon Mattox – drums
- Jeremy Castillo – Guitar
- Vivi Rama - Bass
- Jason Hemmens - Saxophone
- Hollie Shepard - vocals
- Sean Erick - Trumpet
- Kevin Williams - Trombone
- Jeffery Samzadeh - vocals
Reviews
- Progression Magazine > Album Review
- Progression Magazine > Band Interview
- GNOSIS2000 www.gnosis2000.net > Review (English)
- www.Progressia.net > Review (French)
- blog.sinarchive.com > Review (Persian)
- www.rockarea.eu > Review (Polish)
- www.ragazzi-music.de > Review (German)
- www.progressiveears.com > Review (English)
- www.planeta-rock.com.ar > Review (Argentina)
- www.proggnosis.com > Review (English)
- randombrainwave.blogspot.com > Review (Australian)
- www.space-rock.co.uk > Review (UK)
- www.seaoftranquility.org > Review (English)
- www.geocities.com/prognaut > Review (English)
- www.theprogfiles.com > Review (English)
- www.rocktimes.de > Review (German)
- www.dprp.net > Review (English)
Notes
Official sites
Other links
Categories:- Musical groups established in 2003
- American progressive rock music groups
- American psychedelic rock music groups
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