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Northern Spies – Autumn Chapter

Rochester-based indie rockers Northern Spies, a project featuring members of several other prominent Rochester bands, have been on the circuit for a few years now. Last year’s Nothing But Static EP wasn’t quite what the effort’s title suggested. The EP, with an armful of power pop hooks, soft spoken vocal harmonies, and a tinge of roots rock influence got the ball rolling for the 4 piece, and earned them some well-deserved local buzz. Fast forward to 2016, and we have the Spies’ debut full(ish) length, Autumn Chapter, out now via Dadstache Records. Everything we loved about the first EP is all here, the band having polished their sonic formula into something inherently unique for this day and age. Northern Spies’ sprawling list of influences knows no bounds. Harnessing the jangly charm of 60’s power pop bands like The Byrds and Donovan, the Spies use harmony to their advantage, sparking a[...]

Northern Spies Drop Do/Postcard

Today’s delightful bit of new music comes from Rochester’s indie rockers, Northern Spies. The band hasn’t given us new music to cherish in sometime since their 3-track EP in 2014, but with a recent Christmas single and two new tracks, it seems these guys are gearing up for something. The first single is “Do” a playful and energetic rocker that has a distinctly 90s alt rock sound. It’s an infectious little jam that easily worms it’s way inside your earholes and doesn’t seem to want to leave. Following that is “Postcard,” a track that seems to find it’s roots in the indie rock tradition of bands like Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, it’s this lovely meandering jam that shows a different side to the band and makes me excited for what’s to come. Let’s hope these two tracks are just the beginning of what’s to come for us from[...]

Northern Spies Share Christmas Single

Christmas is, among other things, the look of joy on children’s faces, spending time with loved ones, and a primal religious observance. It’s also Christmas shopping after doing a few shots, office party ragers, and going to mass with a rampaging buzz to get through primal religious observances. In short, Christmas can be a holiday of divergent extremes, and Rochester power poppers Northern Spies have embraced this duality with a special holiday single featuring an austere and almost reverential “Christmas Must Be Tonight” backed with the rowdy “Big Legged Christmas (Slight Return).” Northern Spies didn’t mess around. “Christmas Must Be Tonight” is all Dylan and the Band and Sunday school and what Christmas used to be about, with bluesy guitars, soulful organ, and some lovely, searching vocals. “Big Legged Christmas (Slight Return),” however goes for a nasty, vamping blues jam that is all about hollering, and doing your own damn thing on[...]

Tonight: Northern Spies

Lately it seems like some of Rochester’s best and up-and-coming acts have been making frequent stops to Buffalo and the trend continues tonight as ROCH foursome, Northern Spies, will take the stage at Sugar City. The power pop group, which features members of KOPPS and Quarries, recalls acts like Elvis Costello, the Byrds, REM, and Stephen Malkmus. While the band only has a short EP to its name, the late 2014 released Nothing But Static, its spring released Genesee Live session should give a nice indication of what to expect later on from NS. Music begins this 8pm with a cover of $5. Indie rock trio turned quartet, Wolf, and Steak & Cake’s politically minded act, RED HEAT, will round out the bill. And please remember to leave the booze and drugs at home as Sugar City is a substance free space.

Genesee Live Premieres Latest Session feat. Northern Spies

These past couple weeks have been really busy for us at the blog with our many various projects coming up (Herd Fest, our fifth birthday, plus many others that still are developing in our board room). Due to this, it took us a little bit to share with our loyal readers Rochester’s Genesee Live’s 21st session, with Northern Spies. You may remember Northern Spies from our brief track write-up we did in January. In early March, Northern Spies debuted its full-set recording at WITR Studios (a la the stellar session with Attic Abasement). Some faces may look familiar in Northern Spies, as they’ve been around the scene for a bit having participated in Joywave, the Demos, Cottage Jefferson, and Kopps. The half hour session is a healthy mix of 60’s power-pop, and even branches out to The Unicorns-esque Americana. Check it out below.

Northern Spies Debut Material

If you can’t tell by now, this week is going to be a catch up week for all of the super cool stuff that has come out during the end of the year whirlwind. Today’s “Oh man I should have posted about this three weeks ago” song comes from Rochester’s Northern Spies. Formerly performing under the name Blankets, the quartet hasn’t been around for very long, only forming as a band in spring of 2014. In mid-December, Northern Spies got around to sharing their debut three song EP titled Nothing But Static. The just over twelve minute EP is full of soft-spoken hesitant indie rock with power pop hooks that make it stay in your head and never leave. Check out “No Time To Lose,” and stick around for the other two songs.