Meet Frost’s next big thing: Electric Church
‘We just eat a lot of food and play a lot of music’
In the midst of finals last semester a friend and I found ourselves at an AutoCare shop near Brickell thinking we had definitely gotten off at the wrong bus stop. Soon we found out on the top floor of the shop is a concert venue run by Frost students. The venue gives local bands, many being their peers at Frost, a cheap place to play and put themselves out there.
One of those bands was Electric Church, a one of a kind five-piece who stole the show that night. I sat down with the members to learn more about what the outfit is all about.
The band comprises of Junior and guitarist Aaron, Freshman bass player Sara, Junior electric guitarist Conor, lead singer and guitarist Mel, and first-year grad student and drummer Marcus. All of the members are students at Frost majoring in some combination of Music Business, Creative American Music and Media Writing and Production, besides Marcus who is getting his Masters in drumset jazz performance.
“Conor, Aaron and I met as freshmen here and became pretty good friends. We would all jam together at Wesley (Methodist Church),” said Mel of how the band was formed. From there the trio, seeking out a bassist, met Sara who they found out was also a skilled singer and songwriter. Then Marcus, who they met as members of a Frost ensemble, into his position.
“You did it real slick you were just like ‘Hey wanna come to Coffee House and play a couple tunes’ and I thought oh, OK cool. Then you were just like ‘so you’re in the band now, and gave me like four gig dates,’” Marcus reminisced.
The band’s name was inspired by Jimi Hendrix, who, when asked about what genre of music he played would respond “electric church music” which was fitting considering the /rockers/ double as a worship band for Wesley on Sundays.
It is also a near perfect fit for the band’s distinctive sound which they have been calling “soul rock” considering their groove-oriented rhythms section along with heavy rock influences.
That being said the blend is also a product of the member’s diverse musical tastes and inspirations ranging from classic rock bands like Led Zepplin and the Beatles to modern hip hop artists like Kendrick Lamar and the Odd Future lineup with blues, pop, alternative/punk rock, and indie singer-songwriters sprinkled in between.
This melting pot of influences show in their music, and it was what blew me away when I saw them live because I had never heard a band quite like them. While Mel may be small, which the group joked about more than a few times, you would never now it considering the way her powerhouse vocals commands the room. Sara and Marcus bring a contrasting funk to into the mix while Conor and Aaron shred on their guitars. Plus the band’s lyrics, mostly by Mel, Sara and Aaron are beautifully written.
The band also does an excellent job with their uniquely arranged covers. “Covers are a really good way to involve the audience,” says Sara. “If you’re playing a set of originals to an audience that doesn’t really know you and then you come in with a fat ‘Sunday Candy’ they are gonna be like ‘yeah, I’m about it.’”
While sitting with the band, I was charmed by how close they all were, goofing around and teasing each other the entire time. They laughed about Mel’s height and mannerisms, Miami drivers, Aaron’s wardrobe and resemblance to Mac Demarco, and Sara, the youngest, being practically “seven-years-old” especially in comparison to Marcus, the oldest, who joking called the band “Electric Church and the Chaperone” and “Electric Church and the Grandpa.”
“I don’t feel in any way superior to anyone here because I’m a grad student, I kind of forget that all the time because it’s such a good hang,” said Marcus
When I asked about their pre-show rituals they talked about crying on Marcus’ shoulder and having lots of food. Valid.
The band is currently working on new music and recording their original tracks to release an EP by the end of the semester. In the meantime, and until they graduate, the plan is to keep playing locally and see where things go.
“I wouldn’t in any way limit this band by saying we only have this amount of time left because I love playing with these guys,” said Marcus, met by a chorus of ‘we love you too, Dad’ from his band mates.
With this, the band does wish there was a larger turnout from non-music students at gigs, “We love to make music for your ears, so come listen.” Take it from me, you’ll be glad you did.
Check out the band on Facebook for info and upcoming performances.