READY TO ROCK INTO 2023 WITH SPUTNIK THE BAND
Much praise was heaped on their previous three releases “Meet Sputnik”
and “Shine On...” and “333” It’s easy to see what led producer Carl Glanville (Keith Richards, U2, Frank Sinatra Jason Mraz – to their door, and the results are no less than stunning (and sometimes even a little chilling). Sputnik the Band is the real deal. Like the perfect mixtape left by a gone, but never forgotten friend their music sounds warmly familiar, yet distinctly fresh at every listen.
Sputnik The Band’s latest concept album “The Lew Bracker Album” released this summer. Also out on all streaming platforms are the Latest NEW singles “Villa Capri” “Tour Guide”,“20 to Go” “Never Forget” and “Go Get ‘Em Boy” “The band’s new songs are truly timeless. Their music morphs into a cohesive masterful study, and expansion, on Power Pop’s enduring appeal.
“Tour Guide” is an instant classic; one of those songs you’ll never forget the first time you hear it. “A-Frame To Skycrest,” with its infectious hook. The ethereal, yet vivid long gone summer conjured by “Kennywood Park.” Every track on their latest releases are a concise collection of songs that seem deceptively simple, and yet a sonic and emotionally complex, masterpieces.
Front and center is singer/songwriter Genie Morrow’s ethereal/gritty voice, along with premiere studio musicians, notorious “Industry” geeks, and a smattering of the plain old “notorious founding band members…” Mic Rains, Nigel Rawles, Pemberton Roach, Tim Luntzel, Joe Drew, Mark Piro and Benjamin Samuelson.
Please describe to our audience how you came about on the music scene and what is the biggest difference between your first piece of music to your latest! When I first began playing music in NYC I was playing accordion in a band called Longwave. We were in a really fun music scene on the lower east side of Manhattan.I made friends with other musicians who were coming to our shows.
Eventually those friendships led to forming the band “Sputnik the Band” When we first formed we were writing a lot of indie rock and alternative rock songs. As we grew musically we began to write ballads and singer/songwriter style songs. Our original indie rock power pop stuff is really our signature sound. After meeting the actor James Dean’s best friend Lew Bracker in Palm Springs and hearing all of his amazing stories about their friendship together, we were inspired to write a NEW Concept album called “The Lew Bracker Album” which has more dreamy cinematic songs that are a little mellower than our previous 3 albums
“Meet Sputnik” “Shine On” and “333”
What are you doing to push a positive message as the year comes to an end and there is a new beginning coming up with this new year?
Sputnik the Band are ready to rock into 2023 with NEW songs! We are currently recording a NEW album at guilfordsound.com and psyched to have access to so many recording options and instruments. Carl Glanville and Dave Snyder are both engineering and mixing it. The band is also very psyched to spread the love and expand out into the world with our new tunes out in California. We were invited to be part of a James Dean event in Mendocino California called “Road to Eden”. It is such an honor for the band to be part of this historical event in honor of James Dean and his friendship with Lew Bracker.
Are there any rituals you have developed over the years that are helpful for any upcoming changes happening?
Genie is a practicing Buddhist and has been for many years. The energy and wisdom in her Buddhist faith has given her clear focus and is infused into the songs and messages of the songs she writes. It’s all about spreading love and happiness to the people and audience right in front of you and empowering them to do the same. It doesn’t mean that all of our songs are about rainbows and butterflies. But there is passion and universal life force that comes from the compassion and ultimate desire for World Peace.
Could you talk about a success that happened this year that you would attribute to all your hard work?
We were invited to play at James Dean’s hometown Memorial. We played music in a church where he grew up in Fairmount Indiana. His relatives were in the front row. It was one of the greatest musical experiences ever. We also played out in NYC and all of the 20 somethings were dancing and lip syncing our songs. That was a beautiful and touching moment to see them all so happy and appreciative of LIVE music.
Could you talk about an obstacle that you persevered through?
We had an outdoor show in a seaside resort town this summer. They wanted us to play for over 2 hours straight with no break. At one point Genie was feeling light headed and almost passed out on stage. She managed to motion to the trumpet player who alerted the drummer to slow down. She got off stage and got some water and crackers.
Lesson learned: don't try to play a two hour set on an empty stomach. After a 15 min break the band was able to come back and play another hour and a half. It was a fun show and the crowd was brilliant!
How do you think these experiences have helped you shape your career and approach your music? It’s so important to persevere through obstacles. There will always be obstacles and setbacks in life. The main takeaway is not to get swayed by the obstacles. In some cases you can rejoice because they usually mean you’re on the right track and to keep advancing no matter what! If we had given up over all of the road blocks and setbacks that happened we would never have been able to see all of the amazing victories that happened because of that perseverance.
How do you continue to develop your community of fans over the years?
We stay engaged with our fans and fellow musicians on social media and support each other. It’s so important to appreciate and stay engaged with everyone. Thank you for sharing all your music with us! Can you give us any exclusive on more music coming up? We have a NEW single coming out in 2023 called “See You in Mendocino'' It’s an upbeat summer road trip kind of tune. We will also be releasing some other singles from the NEW album and in the summer the full length album.