Tag: Brandon McDole

Change of Pace — Ness Lake Finds the Right Groove on “Normal Speed” Album

Marco Aziel, Chandler Lach, and Brandon McDole of Ness Lake. Photo – Spencer Isberg

Chandler Lach needs a change of pace.

The Ypsilanti musician spent six years working on Ness Lake’s latest album and reflecting on several life changes.

“I was facing a lot of weird inner turmoil and changes,” said Lach, the band’s frontman, about Normal Speed.

“And now, looking back on it, I wrote all those songs about needing to get better before realizing that I really needed to. I think it’s a pretty constant experience of an artist to look back on former work and think, ‘Oh, you were so cute six years ago. I can’t believe that experience was so intense for you. I can’t believe that was what was consuming me at that time.’”

Lach chronicles his evolution across nine tracks, which explore relationships, mental health, and sobriety.

“There’s a lot of hope on the album, too. It’s cool to see that hope has been realized,” he said.

“Thematically, it’s knowing that things need to improve and not knowing exactly the steps to get there, but seeing that there is some light there. It’s strange writing songs now. I have different problems and anxieties, but also different joys and pleasures.”

On Normal Speed, Lach excels alongside bassist/multi-instrumentalist/producer Marco Aziel and former drummer/percussionist Brandon McDole. Ness Lake’s contemplative lyrics and experimental instrumentation instantly resonate with fans of emo, shoegaze, and indie rock.

“I walk away from the whole experience [being] so grateful to Marco and Brandon for pushing [us]. This is the product … because of that hard work,” said Lach, whose band name takes inspiration from Loch Ness. “I’m really interested, excited, and curious to see how it’s received and what happens next. I think no matter what, we have a cool roster of new songs.”

I recently spoke with the band about the album ahead of a January 30 album release show at Ziggy’s.

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Fantastic Four — Adventures with Vultures, 3 Other Motor City Acts Showcase Musical Prowess at The Blind Pig

Adventures with Vultures, aka Matt Sauter, headlines his first show at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Mich.

A new “Fantastic Four” demonstrated their musical prowess Jan. 20 at The Blind Pig.

The “Fantastic Four” – Adventures with Vultures, Brother Elsey, Great Expectations and Honey Monsoon – represented some of southeast Michigan’s emerging musical talent during a 3.5-hour show filled with folk, roots, pop and jazz rock at the iconic Ann Arbor, Mich., 400-person venue.

It also served as the first headlining show for Plymouth, Mich.-based folk rocker Adventures with Vultures, also known as Matt Sauter, who released his debut EP, “Junction,” in October on Original 1265 Recordings.

Sauter’s down-home and fun-loving stage presence instantly connected with the crowd during his 45-minute set, which included the folk rock gems “Okay Guy,” “Skies of Gold” and “I Found a Dreamer” as well as a new track, “Hell or High Water.”

“So many of you f*ckers came to the show tonight. I can’t believe it,” said Sauter, who’s also a student at the Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME). “We used to play at coffee shops in Plymouth, Michigan, and all you guys came here, and we really appreciate it.”

Continue reading “Fantastic Four — Adventures with Vultures, 3 Other Motor City Acts Showcase Musical Prowess at The Blind Pig” →