Tag: Kickstand Productions

Starting a New Chapter — The City Lines Have a Fresh Lineup and Roster of Summer Shows

Victoria Horne, Johnny Scott, Bob Zammit, and Pat Deneau of The City Lines. Photo – Danny Burton.

The City Lines are starting a new chapter.

The Ann Arbor-based alt-rock band recently added two new members, lead guitarist Johnny Scott and bassist Victoria Horne, to their lineup. They join vocalist-guitarist Pat Deneau and drummer Bob Zammit.

“There is a total synergy on the stage now,” Deneau said. “It’s really fun playing these songs closer to the way that we recorded them, with the lead guitar parts and some basslines that are moving a little bit. Victoria and Johnny are bringing energy to the stage that I really feed off.”

The band also recently announced three shows for this summer, including May 30 with Joe Jordan at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, June 25 with Cracked & Hooked and Pillow Princess at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti, and August 6 with A Thousand Horses at Lager House in Detroit.

The City Lines will perform songs from their growing catalog, which includes last year’s Prescribed Fires album and two prior releases.

“We’re a new band to a lot of people who are maybe going to wonder how we got three records out under their nose and why there are as many listenable songs,” Zammit said. “It’s because we’ve been working really hard on that end of it, and now, through the support of the community, we can support folks and be helpful.”

To learn more, I spoke with the band about their new members and live shows.

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Words of Encouragement – The American Hotel System Shares Inspirational Anthems on ‘Can You Hear It?’ EP

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The American Hotel System offers a highly cathartic listen on “Can You Hear It?” From left: Hailey Petty, CT McCallister, Jake LaMotte, Samuel Overman and Jacob Betts. Photo – Jake Orr Photography

For The American Hotel System, a new EP offers inspirational messages of hope, growth and perseverance.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan alt-rock quintet digs deep into past experiences and personal reflections to share words of encouragement on Can You Hear It?

“I think these songs are the most hopeful for me. It’s a great reflection of the journey personally that I’ve been on between all the crazy stuff that’s happened with the band … but also my personal life with my relationship with my wife, my son and my health,” said Jacob Betts, the band’s vocalist and guitarist.

“I feel like these are the songs we’re supposed to be singing right now, and I’m eager to see who we cross paths with. My prayer is these will hit people where they are.”

On Can You Hear It?, The American Hotel System instantly hits listeners with six anthemic tracks, which explore emotions and situations dealing with desire, mental health, love and pride. The EP’s insightful lyrics, fiery electric guitar solos and epic pop-rock instrumentation offer a highly cathartic listen within an arena-sized sound.

“This is our label debut; it’s a new era for us. This is the first time we’ve been able to work with such an amazing team of professionals behind the scenes,” said Betts, who’s releasing Can You Hear It? with his bandmates via SONO Music Group.

“We’re trying to say something here, and asking this question, ‘Can you hear it?’ Well, that encapsulates the whole thing we’re going for. Not just with the theme of ‘Can you hear these things? This longing that you’re longing for,’ but here’s what we have to say.”

Continue reading “Words of Encouragement – The American Hotel System Shares Inspirational Anthems on ‘Can You Hear It?’ EP” →