Where it starts, it ends...: May 2010

"Once is not enough to know / to read what we wrote / you'll need every footnote" cries singer/songwriter Stan McConnell on White Noise Bed opener "Irish Wristwatch." A good way to start Santah's debut full-length mentioned in an early post. I've finally had a chance to check out the remaining 7 tracks and there's not much more to say other than what a solid debut from a bunch of (almost former) college kids! Talking footnotes, here's a little bit of what drummer Steve Plock had to say.

The story behind the album goes back a bit over a year. Being students with summer break approaching there was a bit of an issue with being apart for an extended break such as summer. The band didn't have much of a chance to get together over the next few months, but McConnell and the rest of the band came back with some ideas for some songs. The plan had always been to head into the studio sometime in August after reuniting. After playing together again just a few days in August that's just what happened.

Working with Matt DeWine at Pieholden Suite Sound in Rantoul the band found a great opportunity to experiment with different tones from all of the available gear in the studio. Plock mentions this fact in remembering how the songs mostly came together in their two-week window at Pieholden. "The majority of the instrumentation is recorded live, so the songs didn't change much after that because they really couldn't," says Plock. After recording about half the album in those two weeks, the band went back into their practice space and wrote the rest.

"There was definitely a lot of pressure with writing [in the studio], but we knew what we wanted to do and just kept working at it until it sounded right," Plock said. After going back numerous times over the next few months to do some overdubbing, they seem to have found that "right." The album is a well crafted gem in the newly deemed "Champaign Pop City" dare I repeat.

Musically the album is close but definitely different from what most would have expected from the band that's been around central Illinois for a few years. Instead of the upbeat, fast-paced indie pop that has become a staple of those seeking a show to keep them smiling almost as much as Stan himself onstage, the album is surprisingly slow, with steady yet simple drum lines building with Otto Stuparitz's catchy bass and Tommy Trafton's key riffs that work together while not overpowering the overall sentimental feel of the album. Don't get me wrong, its still a very "feel-good" album with all of the "oohs," "ahhs," and "whoas" throughout, but its something very different. Maybe a bit more mature, pardon the cliche.

Take "No Other Women" for example. Based around a clever guitar and piano riff, the simplicity of the drums just adds onto the overall feel, almost lulling the listener in, then suddenly a crash and a "whoaaaaa" later you have your foot tapping and you're probably swaying back and forth to the melody. Its just that kind of musicianship that makes me like this album. Its simple yet effective. If you enjoy music that will keep you listening to hear multiple layers and melodies just a little bit different every time then this is an album for you.

Santah officially released the album last night at the Canopy Club in Urbana. Due to a previously scheduled conflict the show happened in the much smaller void room. I would argue that to have been a blessing in disguise. Most of the people in the room knew one another and being in such an intimate bar/stage setting made it feel that much warmer and was more appropriate for a band at home and on the rise.

Grandkids opened the night up with their cello-infused style of folk rock. "Hyacinth" and "Hot Springs" were the highlights of the set. Evan Metz does a great job interweaving his Telecaster over Vivian McConnell's acoustic finger picking. Keeping time with a multitude of brushes, yarn mallets, and sticks is drummer Phil Sudderberg. And it just wouldn't be Grandkids if Adam Gorcowski wasn't playing cello.

Dr. Manhattan took the stage next. Loud, fun, in your face (and sometimes above your head) all fit into the description for these guys. Fretless bass? Sure. American flag beat-up cut-off shirt? Why not? Lawn chair strapped to your back to recreate when the song floated into your head? Absolutely! These guys were all kinds of fun. Check out "Biscuits and Groovy" below... and do the zombie!

After getting a good dosage of just straight up fun rock, Santah finally took to the stage. Even though it was an album release show, it seemed most of the audience knew enough of the words to sing through most of the set. How's that for a loyal following in C-U?

Santah's set was great, an extended version of many of the sets I've seen previously. As if releasing White Noise Bed wasn't enough to bring together all the different parts that have made the band what it is today, Mack McConnell played about half of the set in what is most likely his final show as a member of Santah. It was nice to see Mack back on the stage since after recording guitars on the album, he has not played shows for the past few months. Joking before the show he said maybe its not the last we've seen of a familiar face around Santah. "If the music starts taking off who knows? If they get a bus... and a driver... why not come back on board?" Currently playing live is a different, female McConnell: Stan's sister Vivian (yep, same as above).

Of course be sure to check out the songs below, catch a show sometime this summer, and pick up White Noise Bed. You won't be disappointed.

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