Beartooth is touring North America early in the new year with special guests The Plot in You, Invent Animate, and Sleep Theory. Tickets available at beartoothband.com.
1/12 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J. Brady Music Center
1/13 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
1/14 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
1/16 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
1/17 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
1/19 – Toronto, ON – History
1/20 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
1/21 – Boston, MA – House of Blues Boston
1/23 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
1/24 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
1/26 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
1/27 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live!
1/28 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
1/30 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
1/31 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
2/2 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
2/3 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues Orlando
2/11 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
2/13 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
2/14 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues New Orleans
2/15 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
2/17 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
2/18 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas
2/20 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
2/21 – San Diego, CA – SOMA San Diego
2/22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
2/24 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live Sacramento
2/25 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
2/27 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
2/28 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory Concert House
3/1 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Concert House
3/2 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
3/3 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
3/5 – Fargo, ND – Sanctuary Events Center
3/6 – Maplewood, MN – Myth Live
3/8 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
3/9 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
3/10 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s Nightclub & Concert Venue
3/12 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
3/13 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
3/14 – Fort Wayne, IN – Clyde Theatre
** From 2/7 through 2/10, Beartooth will be on Shiprocked Cruise 2024!
The Lucidia Project is a metal outfit hailing from North Dakota. The band stands out with their unique blend of hard-hitting riffs, atmospheric stylings, and orchestral elements. Thus far, The Lucidia Project has released a self-titled EP (2022) and The Requiem EP (2023).
I recently chatted with lead vocalist/pianist Chase Baldwin about the founding of The Lucidia Project, their purpose, influences, and writing/recording process, as well as what’s next for the band.
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Mostly Music: First and foremost, thank you for reaching out!!!! Tell me about the formation of The Lucidia Project, and the story behind the band name (it’s rather unique).
Chase Baldwin: Thank you so much for interviewing us and for following us on Facebook! We really appreciate the support you are showing us!
The Lucidia Project was an idea that I had been thinking about for 15 years, so… a very long time, I know! I wrote songs for a demo EP back in the spring and summer of 2022, because I felt like in order for me to describe what I wanted musically for this band, I needed to provide sort of a template before showing it to anyone else. I met Benjamin Jacobs (our bassist live, but he plays guitars for us in the studio), through a website called Band Mix. I showed him early versions of the songs I was working on, and he loved the idea, and the two of us decided to start working together. I’ve been waiting a long time to find the right person creatively to collaborate with on original songs, and Ben has been amazing to work with!
The name kind of has a deeper meaning for me. Lucidia is a name that’s derived from the Latin word Lucida, which means “light, brightness, clarity,” and “distant star” in some translations. Our lyrical content focuses on some pretty heavy and dark emotional topics. These topics include trauma, addiction, wider political issues, abuse, darkness, depression, etc. The goal for me lyrically is to shine light upon these topics. Through our music, I am not only healing myself but also helping other people from their own personal struggles (at least that’s my hope). That’s where the “project” part comes in. “To shine light upon darkness” is, in essence, what The Lucidia Project is all about.
MM: Y’all definitely blend a plethora of subgenres in your music. Who are the band’s biggest influences? Do y’all come from similar musical backgrounds, or did you have to bring stylistic differences together in order to find your sound?
CB: We are a fusion metal and alternative rock project. Stylistically, it’s a mix of dark metal (gothic, doom, and some death metal), alternative rock/metal, indie singer/songwriter influences (think Tori Amos and Natalie Merchant), as well as symphonic and orchestral influences as well.
Ben and I kind of approach things from two different angles. I’m more influenced by the metal and sort of the darker elements of this project, Ben brings in a lot more of the alternative rock side (think Primus, Placebo, early Tool, Stone Temple Pilots), so we try and create this juxtaposition with the darker elements of metal and alt rock with the more vulnerable and sensitive piano singer/songwriter moments. The orchestral elements are there to add emotional depth to our music. All of this is meant to carry the lyrics and add deeper meaning to the project as a whole.
Ben and I are both classically trained musicians and have taken collegiate level music theory and composition courses. So we are able to construct pieces while speaking the same musical language, which helps us communicate our differences stylistically as well. Dan and Chris, who are both on guitars (lead and rhythm, respectively) step in usually once Ben and I have laid down the ground work or the blue print for the songs, and they help us figure out things like riffs, phrasing, and such.
MM: So I’m curious if you’ve had vocal classes of any sort? Because you do some really cool things with your voice, and have moments that are almost…operatic? It sounds so beautiful with the piano.
CB: I was training to be an opera singer when I was in college. I really wanted to just be a composer, but I was encouraged to go the vocal performance route. I almost finished my bachelor’s of music degree, but I switched to nursing before my final year of study.
MM: I can certainly hear that training.You guys just released The Requiem EP in September. What was the writing and recording process for that record?
CB: The writing process was mostly a collaborative effort between Ben and me. Chris also contributed melodic ideas, as well as the spoken word part in the song “Requiem.” We wrote and produced that EP before Dan became part of our group, so unfortunately, he’s not on it, but he has contributed to future music.
A couple of songs started out with just me at the piano completing the structure and then arranging them for the band to then add additional riffs, bass lines, and melodic ideas. We had two songs (“Eventide” and “Deliverances”) that were only fragments. Ben stepped in and helped me to complete those two structurally. And then I wrote the interlude by myself.
We recorded it out of my home studio. I did the initial engineering on it and then sent it to Danny Meyer of the German metal band Oversense to help with the post production on it.
MM: Do you have a song from the EP that is your favorite, whether because you connect to it more than the others or because it’s just a cool track?
CB: Ben and Chris love “Requiem” (the lead track) because it’s fun to play. I know that Dan has a handful of favorites, so he doesn’t have anything specific. My favorite is “The End of the Lies.” Because I get to be loud and angry, LOL. It was a very cathartic release for me lyrically.
MM: Did you always want to be a musician? (That may seem like an obvious question, given that you’re classically trained and studied music theory/composition, but some people use those studies for other paths in the musical world.)
CB: Ben started taking being a musician seriously at around 14 or 15 and knew this is what he wanted to do. His dad was in a band and he wanted to be part of something like that.
Me, I’ve always sang, and while I started playing piano when I was 9, I didn’t want to start being a musician professionally until I realized I could write my own songs when I was 16 years old.
MM: Do you remember what made you want to play music for a living?
CB: I remember wanting to write songs that touched people’s lives, and expressed who I was as a person. The side of me that most people don’t really get to see. I am really good at being fake happy, and pretending to be ok when I’m actually not. Music and lyric writing has always been my way of confronting myself with the truth. Then based on the messages in my lyrics, making choices in my life that lead me to a better place. So it’s more therapy for me than anything else.
Ben has always had a major passion for music, and playing it, so it’s just been natural for him to progress down that road. Ben also plays multiple instruments from guitar to piano to bass, so he can see things from many different angles musically. He’s kind of this musical polymath and his love for it shows in his dedication to his playing.
MM: What would be your dream lineup, if The Lucidia Project could play with anyone?
CB: It can be hard to find people who you love playing music with and who are good people to boot. The people in this band are talented and well trained musicians with big hearts, I couldn’t ask for better people to play with. As far as drummers go, we are without one, so my fantasy drummer would be either Will Hunt from Evanescence or Markus Hirvonen from Insomnium.
MM: I see that y’all have been added to a lot of playlists this year, as well as doing interviews and being picked up by radio stations. This may be a generic question, but how did it feel the first time you heard yourself on the radio? How much does it inspire y’all when you see these representations of your music reaching people and catching on?
CB: Scary! I’m a very private person but decided to start putting myself out there last year vocally, so it’s kind of surreal that so many people have heard my voice and my lyrics. And all of our playing as well. It was weird hearing myself on the radio. Exciting but still weird. I’m still getting used to it. It’s validating, though. It means that the vision for this band is strong and that people get it.
MM: And last but not least, what are your plans for the rest of 2023 and into the new year?
CB: Writing! We are working on a lot of new music and making plans for 2024 and 2025!
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Do yourself a favor and check out The Lucidia Project on their various socials and your favorite streaming platform. If you are a fan of Evanescence, Apocalyptica, Nightwish, and the like, you will definitely enjoy this band. I will share links and include my favorite songs below!
Naked Sunday is a hard rock band from The Midlands. The quartet formed in 2012, but their lineup wasn’t settled until 2018. They have since released two albums – Signs of Insanity (2020) and Home (2022) – and one EP, 2021’s Skeleton Keys. More recently, Naked Sunday’s track “Lilith” was featured in John Williams’ film Tales of the Creeping Death.
I was fortunate enough to have the chance to talk to bassist Corty Lou about the band’s inception, influences, the latest singles – “Vilified” and “Shine” – and more!
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So tell me, how did Naked Sunday form? And how did y’all decide on the band name?
Corty Lou: Naked Sunday formed around 2012 but became the established lineup it is today in 2018, after much hard work and the release of our first album, Signs of Insanity. The name was based on the Stone Temple Pilots song “Naked Sunday” – we enjoyed how the two words just fitted well together, and of course, it leaves a lot to interpretation.
Who are Naked Sunday’s biggest influences?
CL: As for myself, it would be Motley Crue/Sixx AM, [vocalist/guitarist] Martin’s would be Guns N Roses, [lead guitarist] Alex loves UFO, and [drummer] Liam loves the Foo Fighters, but collectively we all love Queen. We don’t like to make the same record, and much like Queen, we set out to be different from everyone else (especially on our local scene).
Do you remember the moment you realized you wanted to play music for a living? Was there a specific band/artist that made you think “I have to do that”?
CL: I think the second I heard Queen and picked up a guitar, I wanted to perform and make music. It was an instant callin. The first time I could play a few chords, I was writing my own songs, and that love of music and creating is still with me.
What is the writing/recording process for the band?
CL: As a band, we do all write together. Sometimes Martin will come in with some chords and lyrics and it’s almost a full written song, but the band put their stamp on it, myself and Alex usually write riffs and then at rehearsal, Liam will piece them together and we will structure the song as we see fit. A lot of the time we will work a song, such as a new one we are working on at the moment called “LEGION,” by road testing them, and doing demos so we all have structures to work to, or that we can edit and say this may work better. We also share Whatsapp videos of riffs, etc., so Martin can start writing lyrics, or Liam has a heads up so he can develop the feel of the track on the drums.
I want to talk about the latest singles, “Vilified” and “Shine.” Can you share the story behind each of those tracks?
CL: They sit like a brother and sister track to us. “Vilified” is definitely Martin’s baby lyrically. It is about others trying to turn people against you because you have passion or drive. Martin faces a lot of criticism because he is driven and gets great results. It’s a middle finger to the high school bully, the rogue workmate that isn’t a mate, the people in the pub who laugh behind your back but are friendly to your face – it’s a song for the working man.
“Shine” is a different kettle of fish. It is about wanting someone to succeed, totally the opposite of “Vilified.” It’s about rooting for the one you love, wanting them to be the best possible person they can be and the best gift to the world they can be. It’s a delicate number with some of Alex’s best guitar work, and we have to give credit to Miguel Seco, who produced these songs. Without his help and love, especially with “Shine,” we feel he got the best out of us (our fifth Sunday member).
With your full library in mind, do you have a song you connect with more than the others?
CL: I think “Home” for us is something we all connect with. It was the title track to our second album and featured on Fireworks rock and metal magazines CD. It, for us, is just something that we all get lost in, and the audience loves singing the ending. It is a song about our sleepy home town of Stafford – you want to leave, but inside your head there is no place like home.
What is your favorite song to play live?
CL: “Lilith” is one that I think we all dig. It started out as a song I wrote on bass at a rehearsal at Neon Sound Studios in Burntwood. (Martin has a connection of writing a UK 16 Chart song here with Mike Newey the owner.) We even went back to the studio to record it. It’s a brooding dark builder with a very metal ending and the start of us moving into heavier territory. Liam helped with the structure of this, and it just is an absolute blast to play live. The song also features in the film Tales of the Creeping Death by John Williams.
That’s really cool, that you guys had a song in a film! How did that feel, when you learned it was to be used?
CL: So the director John Williams heard “Lilith” and used it in this incredible werewolf scene. The werewolf was designed by Gary Pollard. The film features legendary English actor Ricky Tomlinson. For us it was a dream come true, being massive horror fans. I remember Martin taking the call and jumping around being super excited, then we learned they also added “Unbreakable.” A very surreal and beautiful moment.
Last but not least, what are the band’s plans for the rest of 2023 and into 2024?
We have one final gig of the year left at The Dog House Stafford. It’s our normal Christmas Bash with our good friends Lungdren and Guns for Girls. Then it’s getting the mix back for our single “Web Around My Grave,” which again is a heavy number, followed by a new photoshoot and then recording the final track of our EP Rise, which is a beautiful Tom Petty style song. Then it’s back to gigging straight away around the UK, spreading our wings and following up album number 3. We also have a video to film with the talented Mr Nick J. Townsend of WEAK13, who filmed “Vilified.”
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Things are moving fast for Naked Sunday! You can keep up with all their news, gig announcements, and music by following their socials, and be sure to give “Vilified” and “Shine” a listen on your favorite streaming service!
Metalcore act Code Orange is touring in early 2024 with special guests Teenage Wrist and Soul Blind. Spy, Gridiron, and others to-be-announced will also be appearing on certain dates. You can grab tickets at codeorangetoth.com.
2/13 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Austin
2/14 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
2/16 – New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre
2/17 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
2/18 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
2/20 – Atlanta, GA – Hell at The Masquerade
2/22 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
2/23 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage*
2/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts*
2/25 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*
2/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere
2/29 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
3/1 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter
3/2 – Chicago, IL – Metro Chicago
3/3 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
3/5 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater
3/6 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
3/8 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon+
3/9 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom+
3/10 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom+
3/12 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent+
3/13 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post Sacramento+
Rock band Mac Saturn will be headlining a North American tour in early 2024 in support of their new album, Hard to Sell, which will be released on January 26th. The 35-date run comes with support from alt-rock/indie pop trio The Thing With Feathers. You can get tickets at macsaturn.com – and bring your dancing shoes!
1/26 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
1/27 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
1/28 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
1/30 – Montreal, QC – Bar le Ritz PDB
1/31 – South Burlington, VT – Showcase Lounge
2/2 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music
2/3 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
2/4 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
2/6 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
2/8 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
2/9 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
2/10 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
2/12 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
2/13 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
2/15 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
2/16 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
2/17 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
2/19 – Houston, TX – The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues
2/20 – Dallas Downtown, TX – The Cambridge Room at House of Blues
2/21 – Austin, TX – 3TEN ACL Live
2/23 – Tempe, AZ – Innings Festival 2024 (The Thing With Feathers will not be appearing.)
2/26 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues
2/27 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
2/28 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
3/1 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
3/2 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
3/4 – Boise, ID – 9th Street Parallel at Knitting Factory
3/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
3/8 – Denver, CO – Marquis
3/11 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
3/12 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
3/13 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
3/15 – Indianapolis, IN – Old National Centre
3/16 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
3/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection-The Stache
Mostly Music 