Presented by Spirit of '68 SECRET SPACE
Secret Space
Toledo, OH’s Secret Space has signed to Equal Vision Records and is currently recording their debut full-length with producer Will Yip (Circa Survive, mewithoutYou, Balance & Composure). The trio draws influences from modern indie pop and 90s emo rock and is comprised of vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Dean Tartaglia, bassist Zach Ruetz and drummer Steve Warstler.
“We are striving to make an iconic record,” reveals multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Dean Tartaglia. “Our new songs are as genuine, self-critical and honest as possible.”
“Will completely understands us and has taken our original vision of Secret Space to a whole new universe,” he shares. “In some arrangements, distortion and noise are replaced with space and patience. Saxophone and keyboards will be prominently featured as well. Lyrically, I chose ideas that were simultaneously the most personal to me and the most universal to the people closest to me. Themes include sleep, isolation, change, empowerment, and commitment…and are told through story-like narratives.”
While Secret Space’s debut full-length won’t be released until 2016, the band punctuated their label signing announcement with a simultaneous release of a new self-titled EP. Prior to the new EP, the band had only released two songs – “Stay For A While” and “Standing And Waiting” – as part of a split with The Flats.
“For a band that formed earlier this year, who’s only played a dozen shows, we feel it’s pretty unheard of for our first proper release to be on a label of EVR’s caliber,” says Tartaglia. “We came to the table with four fully-finished, unreleased songs and a dozen new demos, and we’ve felt their respect for the work we’ve been putting in since day one. The three of us feel at home with EVR’s artist-centric mindset and their flexibility to fit our needs!”
Of the new EP he also adds, “The decision to make the EP self-titled was a very conscious one. Having never even played live before we recorded the EP, these recordings were the first moments we discovered our sound as a band, and discovered what the words “Secret Space” meant to us. Endless thanks to Mat Kerekes (Citizen) for producing the EP and the risks he helped us take in finding our sound. He played a huge role in pre-production and re-working the form of a few of the songs, as well. The first time we listened to the EP was the first time we truly heard Secret Space in vibrant color. Lyrically, I am hugely influenced by Elliott Smith; The way in which he takes snapshots of his daily life but makes them relatable to others by using universal language. I can safely say this EP is the first time every word I chose was completely genuine, completely open and honest, with no stone left unturned.”
Though the band is less than a year old, each member has been touring and performing with numerous other bands for years, with Tartaglia making his initial mark as the saxophonist with Detroit rock n soul legends The Sights, who supported Tenacious D on a five-month world tour in 2012. More recently, he held down half of the critically-acclaimed but now defunct bass and drum/heavy-soul duo Silent Lions, which released two EPs under that moniker with Toledo, OH-based label, NAH Collective. He has shared the stage with countless other bands across all genres, including Fitz and The Tantrums, FUN., Foxy Shazam, and many more.
“Our only goal since day one has been to make as much inspired music as possible, and that’s apparent at our live shows and on record. I want everyone who listens to or sees us to relate to each other through these songs,” Tartaglia continues.
“And I would love it if people got the feeling that I get when hearing some of my favorite bands, when they hear our music…the way that some songs give me chills or just completely change my mood,” concludes Ruetz. “I would love to be part of giving that to someone. I think people can always expect a very intense live show from us. We try and keep things very high energy and we really put our all into each and every show.”
Web:http://secretspacemusic.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/secretspacemusic
Twitter: @secretspace
Heart Attack Man
From Cleveland, OH Heart Attack Man originally started as a solo recording project for singer/guitarist Eric Egan in 2013. Driven by an engrained appreciation for addictive melodies and hard hitting alternative rock, the project quickly evolved into a full band. Shortly after the EP Acid Rain was released to an overwhelmingly positive response and the band hit the road throughout the US and Canada. In 2015 trhe band headed to Philadelphia to record their debut full legnth at Headroom Studios with Ian Farmer (Modern Baseball. Look for the record to be released in the fall of '16 on You Did This/Triple Crown.
Web:https://heartattackman.bandcamp.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/heartattackmane
Twitter: @heartattackmane