2008 Woodie Awards
Brand Spankin' New Music
Waking Lights keeps you awake
Sophia Hepheastou
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Arts
With their first folksy EP "Songs for Jo," Waking Lights, a six-piece indie rock outfit from northern New Jersey is definitely a band to watch out for.
Through heartfelt, emotionally naked lyrics, Waking Lights exposes feelings that listeners can't help but relate to. In their first song, "Sharks," lead singer Matthew Maroulakos sings, "She plays dumb and falls to the thump of a heart that's shallow as the waves it makes."
The words, accompanied by a somber violin played by Nicole Scorsone and a piano interlude by Tommy Maroulakos, mesmerizes listeners and makes them question if they know this infamous girl Jo. The lyrics melt smoothly with the low-key instrumental accompaniment, transporting listeners to a serene setting.
The journey continues in the following song, "Ice Cream and Vicodin," and becomes more intense in "Nothing Here for Me." Dana LaMarca, drums and glockenspiel, opens with a clean, upbeat tempo giving listeners a taste of Waking Light's flexibility. The violin again appears in this song and ends on a joyful note.
"Comfortably Swollen" eerily evokes a Tim Burton-esque tone through the use of a cello solo performed by Jodi Mozeika. The cello sets the stage, allowing violins to enter while also incorporating a twangy guitar part.
Each instrumental element beautifully complements Maroulakos' vocals in all of the EP's six tracks.
To check out Waking Lights' nostalgic sound, stop by The Bitter End (147 Bleecker Street, between Thompson and LaGuardia) on Thursday Oct. 9 at 9 p.m.
Through heartfelt, emotionally naked lyrics, Waking Lights exposes feelings that listeners can't help but relate to. In their first song, "Sharks," lead singer Matthew Maroulakos sings, "She plays dumb and falls to the thump of a heart that's shallow as the waves it makes."
The words, accompanied by a somber violin played by Nicole Scorsone and a piano interlude by Tommy Maroulakos, mesmerizes listeners and makes them question if they know this infamous girl Jo. The lyrics melt smoothly with the low-key instrumental accompaniment, transporting listeners to a serene setting.
The journey continues in the following song, "Ice Cream and Vicodin," and becomes more intense in "Nothing Here for Me." Dana LaMarca, drums and glockenspiel, opens with a clean, upbeat tempo giving listeners a taste of Waking Light's flexibility. The violin again appears in this song and ends on a joyful note.
"Comfortably Swollen" eerily evokes a Tim Burton-esque tone through the use of a cello solo performed by Jodi Mozeika. The cello sets the stage, allowing violins to enter while also incorporating a twangy guitar part.
Each instrumental element beautifully complements Maroulakos' vocals in all of the EP's six tracks.
To check out Waking Lights' nostalgic sound, stop by The Bitter End (147 Bleecker Street, between Thompson and LaGuardia) on Thursday Oct. 9 at 9 p.m.
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