Analog Heart

Forming a band can be quite a stressful undertaking. Even after having a full lineup keeping the band together can be a major struggle. An artist that can stay positive through it all will always find a way and be on the path to success. Our latest find Analog Heart has been working hard to achieve their goals no matter what may get in the way,

The Massachusetts-based band came into being back in 2010 when vocalist and fellow Berklee College Of Music grad awoke from a dream with a vision to start a band. The very next morning Liz put an ad on Craigslist. A few wacky auditions followed but the among the chaos she found lead guitarist (another Berklee grad) Jesse Cohen and 17-year-old drummer Austin Ferrante. The trio blended well and Analog Heart was born. A bassist seemed harder to secure. The band has gone through 8 different players through the years and is currently working with “Greg”, a box of pre-recorded bass tracks that doesn’t take up much room in the van.

After a great amount of songwriting sessions, Analog Heart went into the studio in 2012 to record their self-titled debut EP with Scott Riebling, former bassist for the 90’s band Letters To Cleo. The buzz was building and then another door opened. Liz Bills was selected for American Idol and worked her way into the top 30 females in Hollywood, California. This bit of fame put a real fire into the group and they were back on their way. The band grew into a foursome with the addition of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Guy Jerry in 2015.

This past March, Analog Heart released their first full-length album Sun Here I Come. The 10 track record churns out a list of alt-pop-rock burners that will capture some real attention. Right from the opener “Whoa”, Liz Bills shows off her vocal prowess over a grooving guitar line that pumps an energy into the room. The rock continues on “Let It Go” with its sing along “oh oh ohs” and explosive chorus that blows the roof off the track. The guitars in the verse have a touch of country tinge that makes for an interesting feel when paired with the wailing guitar solo. - Indie Band Guru

Unable to copy/paste link. Please refer to link above for full review. - Ion Indie Magazine

On an overcast and humid Thursday afternoon, local band Analog Heart took to the Fountain Stage at the Outside the Box festival and gradually drew a crowd with their driving, and sometimes danceable, sound. Led by singer and keyboardist Liz Bills, decked out in summery sunglasses, they began playing to a thin crowd of spectators on the Boston Common. By the end of their 50-minute set, however, they had gathered a much larger audience, who enjoyed their harmony-rich, Foo Fighters-esque tunes.

Featuring a new drummer and bassist, Analog Heart was in a good position as the 2:30 p.m. act; the skies had just cleared over the Boston Common. Grateful to be out of the rain, the band stayed tightly focused on the music throughout. Bills switched every so often from tambourine to keyboard, as she sang lead vocals alongside the guitarist, who harmonized during the main hooks.

Halfway through the set, Bills asked, “Anybody in the audience like Led Zeppelin?” to some excited applause. While one might have expected “Whole Lotta Love” or a similar up-tempo cover to come next, the band instead slowed things down with a sensitive cover of “Going to California.” Arranged to showcase the upper range of Bills’ voice and accompanied only by fingerpicked electric guitar, it was an excellent cut in a set of otherwise untamed rock and roll.

As the sun came out later in their set, the band got back to rocking hard, singing several defiant anthems to lovers who changed their ways and don’t deserve their love anymore. Bills directed attention to one dancing gentleman just below the stage who was moving energetically to the music. Encouraged, several other audience members began to dance a little as the music continued.

For the last song, “Merrimack Jane,” Bills donned a sun hat, only to discard it halfway through. As the lower range in her voice was explored, the band stayed tightly in time and finished strong. Departing with much love directed to all in attendance, Analog Heart left the stage having successfully soundtracked a summer afternoon on the Boston Common. - WERS

For the second straight night, a female-fronted rock band has won its night at the Rock and Roll Rumble.

Following a victorious turn Sunday night by Weakened Friends, alt-rock quartet Analog Heart — led by a charismatic performance by frontwoman and former American Idol contestant Liz Bills — won Monday’s preliminary night number 2.

Analog Heart, like Weakened Friends, will move on to next week’s semi-finals.

Based on how long it took the night’s judges to declare a winner — nearly an hour after the night’s final band, Eric Salt & the Electric City, left the Once Ballroom stage — we’d guess the scores were close. And rightfully so, as all four bands, including Jack Romanov and The Black Cheers, brought their a-game to a snowy April Somerville.

The night began with young schitzo-rock band Jack Romanov, who added traces of punk-cabaret and after-school theatrics to more underlying traditional rock and pop influences. The ambitious group was carried by the vocals of Nick Aikens, though perhaps the night’s highlight arrived when drummer Nico Renzulli received a plate of tacos up on stage near the end of their set. Renzulli heard the tacos at Once were good, he told us afterwards, so he placed an order in advance and had them delivered directly to the band before they were done performing. That is likely a Rumble first, and we decided to just not ask the judges what they thought of the stunt.


If Jack Romanov’s quirky set zigged and zagged and at times showed a few frayed nerves, The Black Cheers countered that with bullet-like precision. Of course, that precision targeted a bull’s-eye in the rusty center of a coarse-vocaled street punk, so you knew within 30 seconds of the Black Cheers set whether or not you’d enjoy the remaining 29:30. Notably, aside from their songs about people they hate, the band features DanO on guitars and vocals, who was in Darkbuster when the Boston punk legends won the Rumble in 2000. After their set, we asked DanO if he thought he had a chance to win another Rumble title, and he didn’t really seem concerned with his odds.


Night 2 took another sharp turn on genre highway when Analog Heart took the stage. Super-polished and well-rehearsed, the Westborough/Littleton/Haverhill band touched on big-room alt-rock early on, then eased into a gritty, alt-country and blues jam session towards the end without losing any sense of sincerity or tenderness. A few photographers in the crowd remarked that they were the most fun to shoot because they were the most animated, and we agree they put on the best “show”. You get the sense the best is yet to come for Analog Heart, and while they were not lacking any bit of confidence on this night, you get the sense they’ll rise to the challenge of the semi-finals next week and feed off the energy of a more lubed-up weekend crowd. They’re an intriguing band that have yet to really scratch at their potential.


Closing the night were the jangly guitar-pop of Eric Salt & The Electric City, who have one of the more bizarre curveball singles in recent years with “Excellent”. The majority of their songs were slickly polished pop that touched on several decades of influences, and the veteran band holding it down behind Sir behind Salt didn’t miss a note. Towards the end of the night, with midnight approaching, the crew brought friends up on stage for one big sing-along and dance-off, and you get the sense that the judges’ debate between Salt and Analog Heart was responsible for the delay in the winner being announced. But that’s just our own guess.


The Rumble continues on Tuesday with Night 3 of the preliminary round, featuring Idle Pilot, Field Day, Salem Wolves, and Shatner. Click here for more information, and get to know the bands in advance with our full-night preview. - Vanyaland

Analog Heart

We were impressed by the alt-rock band’s performance last week in the prelims, but tonight Liz Bills and company took things to another level, channelling brash arena rock bravado with ’70s-era pop smarts. Bills commanded the entire room, jumping into the crowd to dance along with the front row and shadowboxing hard enough to make Floyd Mayweather sweat. Analog Heart opened their set with a solo performance from the singer/guitarist, but rounded into form midway through with a masterful performance of new track “Come Alive”, a song that should be a fairly huge hit. It’s a powerful tune that makes you say “holy shit!” — and in a live setting, it’s downright captivating. - Vanyaland

Do you have great songs, great talent, and a dream of performing with a band? Perhaps you know a few musicians in your city, but they just don't blend with your vision. After singer Liz Bills had somewhat of an epiphany one night (which she describes in more detail below), she put up an online ad seeking bandmates the very next day, which ultimately led to the formation of Massachusetts-based rock outfit Analog Heart.

After a few wacky auditions (which you'll also get to read more about in the Q&A below), she started a strong, promising band that's gone on to accomplish some big things. We caught up with Bills to learn about what it was like finding potential band members online, and how she managed to choose the right musicians in the end.

[You Can Now Use Sonicbids to Find Band Openings and Musicians – Here's How]

Your bio mentions that Analog Heart was formed because of a vision you had. What happened exactly that inspired you to form a band?
It was more of an epiphany or a realization. In reality, it was me laying in bed one night with a cigarette laid out before me. I decided that night to quit smoking (after six years of a pack a day) and to form my own band. Smoking was destroying my singing voice. After that night, I never smoked a cigarette again. I knew if I didn't get serious and make moves on my own, music would never happen for me. So that evening was my breaking point; that evening I turned everything around. I knew I would have to find a band and lead a band on my own. That terrified me, but it scared me more to not do it.

We're impressed that you formed a killer rock band by putting up an online ad. What kind of responses did you get?
I remember getting a ton of responses. I found my first drummer, Anthony, the drummer we had right before Austin, on the very first audition! I remember going to Anthony's house and hoping he wouldn't turn out to be this crazy guy out to kill me. Anthony turned out to be a really friendly and talented guy.

I found our current guitarist, Jesse, shortly after. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. After Anthony had to leave the band, we found Austin so easily. His mom actually saw the Craigslist ad and pushed Austin to shoot us over an email. (He was only 17 at the time.) Because of his young age we actually blew him off and told him no thank you at first. He sent back another email asking us to give him a chance, and we liked how ballsy that was. He came into the audition knowing the songs cold and killing it on the drums. We hired him on the spot.

When you were auditioning musicians, what qualities did you look for?
I always compare looking for bandmates to dating. It feels like the same thing to me. You look for someone who you can get along with, someone that is stable and able to commit to you and your project, someone who isn't bat crazy (seems like a lot of musicians are, myself included at certain times in my life haha). You look for a bandmate that is talented and passionate. Then you have to "date," aka audition, a bunch of these musicians to find out if you are truly compatible and if you really like each other.

So the ones I pick to come back and play with us have to really be digging the music and me as a person and vice versa. They have to be able to keep up with our level of musicianship. They have to be serious, focused, and committed. There has to be that spark! It just has to feel right for the both of us.

[How to Audition a New Band Member]

How were you able to form a strong, trustworthy bond with a new lineup? Was it difficult getting to really know and trust each other after completing the auditions?
I don't remember it being difficult to form a strong, trustworthy bond with Jesse and Austin. I remember it feeling natural and we grew together like a natural relationship should. Though we met through Craigslist, it was just like any other new relationship. We had to get to know each other and it felt right and good on our journey together.

We’re curious: what were some of the weirdest things you saw in the auditions to start your band?
We had a player leave an audition without saying goodbye, left his music equipment in the practice space, unfriended us all on Facebook, and never talked to us again. We ended up selling his equipment a few years later. We had another player call us names and freak out during rehearsal. We've had a player basically fall asleep onstage while playing and, unfortunately, we had to let him go after that. The band life is never boring!

What advice would you give to other independent musicians look to start or join a band and are thinking of doing some advertising online to meet new musicians?
I would tell them to not be afraid, to be prepared for wacky auditions, to enjoy the ride, to be patient and open-minded, to never give up, and to never settle. Know what you want in a band member and keep looking for that musician until you find them. They are out there! It's just like dating. Keep going on those bad and awkward dates until you find that person that is special, until you find the right musician for you and your project. - Sonicbids

Analog Heart – Sun Here I Come
Backstory

I first heard Analog Heart late last summer at Worcester’s stART on the Street festival. I rocked through the band’s entire set, grabbed the download card the band was handing out for “Merrimack Jane,” and drifted away. This was during that period of time during which I had committed to launching Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog but was still keeping it quiet. As time passed, “Merrimack Jane” became a staple of my personal playlist, so when I assembled a list of bands I wanted to contact to offer reviews, Analog Heart was on that initial list.

The band’s backstory began in 2010 when singer Liz Bills placed a craigslist ad and connected with guitarist Jesse Cohen and drummer Austin Ferrante. In 2012, the band recorded its debut, self-titled album. That same year, Liz entered American Idol and made it to the Hollywood portion of the show, placing in the women’s top 30. The trio added backup vocalist/rhythm guitarist Guy Jerry in 2015. And they’re all joined onstage by “Greg,” the prerecorded bass tracks that have solidified a revolving-door bass player situation.

Album Review of Analog Heart: Sun Here I Come

Analog Heart - Sun Here I Come
image courtesy of Analog Heart

Distorted guitar hooks and power rock vocals. Analog Heart’s songs are much more than that, but those key elements are where everything starts. At its best, the band churns out songs that boom, rattle, rattle, and rock! (Yes, they rattle twice.)

The album cover sports a psychedelic look that meshes well with the first impression Analog Heart made when I caught last summer’s festival set. And, indeed, this disc blends a ’60s/’70s classic psychedelic rock flavor with a modern alt-rock vibe, hard rock power, and some down ‘n dirty swamp-rockin’-boogie guitar licks.

Sun Here I Come kicks off with rock ‘n roll authority. First is “Whoa,” a rollicking number that thumps, rattles, and rolls its way right from the get-go. It’s followed by “Merrimack Jane,” which adds a bit of Southern rock outlaw flavor to the mix.

Analog Heart
photo by Shivohn Fleming; photo courtesy of Analog Heart

By this point, the speakers won’t stop shaking, and it’s obvious guitarist Cohen and Bills may have discovered a modern, somewhat crisper, 2010s spin on Skynyrd-meets-Joplin with a hint of Hendrix-meets Ann Wilson thrown in for good measure. With Ferrante’s pounding drums and Jerry’s steady rhythm guitar rounding out the group (with, of course, “Greg”), Analog Heart is a barely-contained explosion whose music would fit well in a black-lit basement rock club or a weekend-long festival.

Analog Heart slows it down a bit, as well… to what most bands would call mid-tempo. In fact, there are a few mid-tempo songs on the disc that really stand out for me. Aside from the first two tracks, the other three I carry with me on my phone are: “Let It Go,” a song with a slow-build buoyed by a slick opening rhythm, Bills’ insistent vocals, and Cohen’s well-placed distorted guitar licks; “Try to Get Along,” which grabs the listener with catchy, distorted guitar and crisp, clear, emotional vocals; and “Sun Here I Come,” which again pairs powerful vocals with a monster guitar hook. The trend? Yes, guitar shredding with powerful vocals. That’s rock and roll.

Now, if you insist on a sensitive touch, there is a ballad on the album, “Like a Dream,” that showcases the powerful-yet-sensitive side of Bills’ pipes, though even while enjoying a beginning-to-end ballad, you can still feel the barely-restrained energy that’s what puts the “power” in a power ballad. But when “Like a Dream” is over, put your lighters away because Analog Heart is unabashedly a rock band. And songs like full-octane rock-fest “Flickering By” and “She’s Rock and Roll,” which mixes psychedelic and power rock, will remind you if you forget.

Analog Heart
photo courtesy of Analog Heart

At risk of stating the obvious, the power of Bills’ vocals and Cohen’s guitar licks, combined with the band’s ability to write songs that showcase those exceptional skills, ensure Analog Heart has an opportunity to be a festival, club, and arena favorite; the band’s albums (if Sun Here I Come is any indication) should appeal to modern heavy alt-rockers and psychedelic rockers alike. I’m looking forward to hearing a lot more from this talented ensemble in the future.

Live Gigs Ahead

Analog Heart lists four upcoming shows on its website: Saturday, June 11th at ONCE Lounge in Somerville, MA; Friday, June 17th at Luthier’s Co-Op in Easthampton, MA; Saturday, July 25th at the Byfield Music and Arts Festival in Byfield, MA; and Sunday, July 10th at Great Scott in Allston, MA. This is a great live band; get out to a gig if you can! - Geoff Wibur Music Blog

Few songs have jumped out at us in 2016 quite like Analog Heart’s “Come Alive”.

Back at the 2016 Rock And Roll Rumble in April, we chased down singer Liz Bills and the rest of the Massachusetts band after one of their performances (they made it to the semis) and asked them the name of the song after we spouted clues that likely included incorrect lyrics and a poorly-shot 30-second iPhone video clip. Then last week, we included it in our #Shack10 playlist, a collaborative effort between Shake Shack and us to hype some of our favorite Boston-area bands after they open a new location in the Seaport.

This week, the music video for the song has finally surfaced, after us doing a bit of teasing about it last month, and the clip’s official release party this past Friday at the Chit Chat Lounge in Haverhill.

The powerful, rock anthem of a song, which Bills says is an aim of empowerment for women to leave abusive
relationships, now has a video to match its intensity, both lyrically and visually.

“The song is about being in an abusive relationship and waking up one day and realizing that you can’t ‘die for love'”, Bills tells Vanyaland. “And the video is about empowering women in abusive relationships to leave.”

The “Come Alive” video was filmed and directed by Niko Matses, and shot at HC Media in Haverhill. Raise your fist, watch it below, and take note: Analog Heart and fellow ’16 Rumblers bring their rematches to Ralph’s in Worcester on August 27, a dynamite bill with The Devil’s Twins, Salem Wolves, and The Knock Ups. - Vanyaland

"Sun Here I Come" doesn't let down like the hot sun in the summer. Each song is a perfectly crafted song that you will catch yourself singing. The production on this record is crystal clear, and it's clear that Analog Heart has more of this and better in them from listening to this record. - Dave Crespo - WEMF - WEMF

Analog Heart opened their set with a solo performance from the singer/guitarist, but rounded into form midway through with a masterful performance of new track “Come Alive”, a song that should be a fairly huge hit. It’s a powerful tune that makes you say “holy shit!” — and in a live setting, it’s downright captivating. - Vanyaland

"Sun Here I Come" by Analog Heart captures the essence of the both the band's influences and the command of those influences represented by collective voice of the band their live show, a duality alluded to by the name Analog Heart. Drawing from elements spanning multiple eras in classic rock music, Analog Heart pumps with passion on tracks like Merrimack Jane, Whoa & Come Alive, the music evokes an immediacy and creates an experience for the listener that is at once fresh and also familiar. It imprints directly to the soul.' - Mike Flynn - WUML , LOWELL 91.5

ANALOG HEART

Sun Here I Come

10 tracks

Looks like the Boston area has yet another potentially big hit in this band. Analog Heart falls firmly, into the realm of indie/ alt/ rock/ country music. Youthful and fresh, their style should resonate well with multiple generations. This music is a little more mainstream than I typically go for, but still, good is good, and this CD is good. “Sun Here I Come,” is their first full length album, and while it is, as I have already stated, good, I think that it reveals only a glimpse of their full potential. They are doing great, but I feel that they are going to bloom in a really big way. Given what I am hearing, I have faith.

They are a tight band, with Jesse Cohen laying down some nice guitar, bass, piano, and backing vocals, Austin Ferrante on drums, a really nice Hammond organ by Brendan Moore, and Guy Jerry on guitar and additional backing vocals, all led by Liz Bills. Let’s talk about the vocal skills of Liz Bills. This lady has some range! There is a certain rough femininity to her voice – the type personifying strength and daintiness all at once. For example, at times, I hear shades of Lone Justice’s, Maria McKee in some of the songs on “Sun Here I Come.” I really like that.

For me, the shiniest gems on this one were, “Whoa,” “Merrimack Jane,” and “Hurry Up Our Love,” in that order. There is other good music to be found here, but in these, I hear a certain something which stand outs somehow, the ones that sort of catch my ear and say, “I am something special – listen to me!” Well, I am going to do just that, and beyond that, I would say that if this first full length CD is any indication of what’s to come from Liz Bills and Analog Heart, there should be much to look forward to in the future. Until then, I will enjoy what is on Sun Here I Come in the here and now. Good listening. I would recommend checking it out. (R.J. Ouellette) - The Noise

Have you ever had to fight with your computer to get what you need done? Have you ever felt like slamming down both your fists on the keyboard to pound the life out of your laptop, unable to do so ‘cause your digital life is in it? Technology is awesome but there’s something beautiful about the analog side of life. Analog Heart caught my attention with the names of both their band and their newest album Sun Here I Come. Let’s check it out.

“Whoa” kicks off with an expertly played, overdriven guitar riff that immediately conjures thoughts of The Heavy. A super tight drum rolls through and the band is off, delivering very well-played music that sounds like a great party soundtrack. Already, I could tell that the production on this record was top notch. Frontwoman Liz Bills sings perfectly in pitch, and dishes out catchy melodies that I’m positive I’ll be humming to myself later. The whole band is tight and the music is fun and interesting. The parts are simple, but they work together well and keep the song going.

“Merrimack Jane” follows with what sounds like the beginning of a Joe Bonamassa track. It’s a tune rooted in the blues that also keeps things entertaining by incorporating tasty riffs, great arrangements, and catchy hooks. Fans of Serena Ryder would do well to check this band out. “Let It Go” ventures into pop-rock territory with a harmonized vocal “Ohs” introducing the song. It’s a straightforward track that showcases guitarist Jesse Cohan’s skills thanks to a bitchin’ solo. Next is “Hurry up our Love,” a song that has the best guitar tone I have heard in recent memory. On top of singing, Liz also plays synthesizer, adding great textures to the music, especially when those textures come in the form of a Hammond B3 organ with Leslie simulation. I got strong Aerosmith vibes on this track, which I loved, although there is one issue I feel I must address. The vocals on this album are perfect. They are always perfectly in tune. There is not one moment, or note, or bend, or harmony that is even slightly not perfectly in tune. Perhaps I’m paranoid, and if so then shame on me. And it may horribly and sadly be an industry standard, but I suspect Auto Tune has been used on this album. Some say that it is normal, but I am against it, completely. If this isn’t the case, then Liz, I apologize and commend your incredible singing talents.

An intimate, a capella vocal starts the next track, titled “Come Alive.” Liz tells the tale of young love, sharing past experiences with the listener while the band rocks out in a tune that incorporates funky rhythms and honky-tonk piano parts. The bridge veers toward the land of burlesque, theatrically breaking down and building back up, making me feel like I was sitting in a saloon watching a play. “Trying To Get Along” follows with a pop-rock track that I can definitely imagine being played at an outdoor festival, complete with raised lighters and sing-alongs from the crowd. “Flickering By” begins with a super tight drum riff courtesy of Austin Ferrante, followed by Pop-punk guitar riffs that kick up the BPM in this band’s repertoire. If you need a soundtrack to fist pump to, this is it. Damn it! I’m running out of words again! I like Analog Heart. They write catchy blues-funk-pop-rock songs that I would love to see live. I’ve got six words left: the namesake of this album rules. - Bucket List

April 10, 2014

Singing like an ‘American Idol’
Haverhill local from TV foe grows successful career


By Mike LaBella



Staff Writer
The Haverhill Gazette


Thu Apr 10, 2014, 03:30 AM EDT

Liz Bills didn’t constraint a tip mark on “American Idol,’’ though she’s belting out songs like a loyal champion.

Bills, a singer/songwriter and keyboard actor who grew adult in a city, was a competitor on a renouned TV uncover final year.

Now she is featured on a new song recover by students and alumni of a Berklee College of Music. She is also concerned in other recordings and performances.

Bills, 28, achieved in Haverhill final summer with her rope Analog Heart as partial of a Bradford Common Outdoor Music Series. On Apr 12, Analog Heart earnings to Haverhill and will perform during a Chit Chat Lounge on Washington Street, where a rope mostly performs.

You can listen to a few of their songs online, or we can download them for free. Analog Heart is featured on dual marks of a gathering a Dorm Sessions 9, a new recover by Berklee’s student-run label, Heavy Rotation Records.

Bills wrote a songs for her band’s self-titled recover in 2012. She was invited to be on a gathering after her rope achieved final year during The Red Room Cafe 939 in Boston.

“A tyro with Heavy Rotation Records saw a uncover and asked if we’d like to be on their subsequent CD,” Bills said. “We gave them dual of a songs and they remixed and remastered them.”

Analog Heart is a vocal-driven stone rope that facilities Bills, drummer Austin Ferrante of Littleton and guitarist Jesse Cohen of Westborough.

Dorm Sessions 9 is a brew of rock, blues, folk, Americana, pop, rumba, reggae, indie rock, and electronica by Berklee students and alumni. It also facilities Fate a Family Band, Oyinda, Redwood Deville, Los Rumberos, Dav3, The Western Den, Night Lights, and Salda.

You can tide or download Dorm Sessions 9 for giveaway during BerkleeCollegeofMusic.bandcamp.com. The final dual songs in a gathering are a Analog Heart recordings, “Elephant Song” and “Backlight.” - Massachusetts News

After joining a band that quickly fell apart, Liz Bills decided to create her own. This group she would run herself -- the right way.
"There were so many problems in the first one, and I had no control because I didn't start it," Bills, 29, of Haverhill, said. "I started my own so I could have control and go in the direction I wanted."
This is how her current band, Analog Heart, came to be. Bills liked the name because of its meaning: organic, honest love, which she feels is very important in writing music. The rock band features Bills' powerful voice out front with Jesse Cohen, 31, of Westborough, on guitar and Austin Ferrante, 21, of Middleton, on drums.
In 2012 Analog Heart released its self-titled debut EP, and in 2013 Bills competed on American Idol, where she made it to the final 30 girls. After she returned from Hollywood, the band went on to tour the East Coast. Analog Heart's next big move is to release their first studio album.
But that's where the hardest part of the music business enters the fray. The desire to make and record music ro release to the public must be partnered with the money to do it with. With that in mind, Bills is doing it her way.
"Recording, merchandise and packaging of the CD is so incredibly expensive," Bills said. "It's a financial burden, so we decided to ask our supporters for help."
To bridge the financial gap, Analog Heart has turned to online crowdfunding. The fundraising trend has typically been associated with independent films, business start-ups and charitable causes, but there are hundreds of crowdfunding sites to choose from, and countless more projects reaching out for help.
Ultimately, Analog Heart chose to use the site Indiegogo.com over other crowdfunding sites because of the "flexible funding" option. This allows campaigners to keep the money raised even if their goal has not been met. On other sites, if the goal is not met, the money raised is lost, Bills said. Indiegogo also allows the campaigners to give back to those who have donated.
Analog Heart's Indiegogo page has set donation amounts that come with merchandise. For instance, a $10 donation will give the donor a digital download of the new album. For $200, the band will cover a song of your choice. For $500 the band will give a private performance -- they've already sold two.
he challenge for young bands like Analog Heart is that creating a full album costs thousands of dollars. Analog Heart's goal is to raise $7,200, and so far they have received just over $3,000. The $7,200 will be broken up to pay numerous expenses, including production costs, travel expenses and new merchandise.
With about a month left to donate, Bills is confident they will meet their goal. Until then, Analog Heart will continue to work on their album and "gig" around New England. Their next show is Dec. 20 at The Skybox restaurant and Sports Bar in Tewksbury.
"I am blown away at how much has been given," Bills said. "I expected people to donate one or two dollars, but people are donating large amounts."
To donate to Analog Heart or to check out their music and videos, visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/analog-heart-debut-full-length-album.
PAY TO PLAY
Haverhill's Analog Heart is using crowdfunding to raise $7,200 to record their first full-length album. What does that pay for?
$3,000 -- Engineer to record the album
$250 -- Gas expenses to and from Providence, R.I., recording studio
$150 -- Artist for album art
$600 -- New t-shirts, stickers, pins and posters - Eagle Tribune

"Dorm Sessions 9" features nine performers, each with two songs on the album. Two of those are by Analog Heart, who contributed the melodic rockers "Elephant Song" and "Backlight." The trio consists of Haverhill-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Liz Bills, Littleton drummer Austin Ferrante, and guitarist-songwriter Jesse Cohen, a Natick native who lives in Westborough.
"We’re a modern rock band," said Cohen. "Liz went to Berklee and I went to Berklee, and we all met through craigslist."
Analog Heart recorded a self-titled, self-funded four-song EP that was released in October, 2012. The two songs on "Dorm Sessions 9" were on that EP.
"After Liz finished Berklee, she competed on ‘American Idol’," said Cohen. "That got the attention of Joe James, who works in the Berklee p/r group. He had us play at a Berklee showcase. People from Heavy Rotation Records saw us there, and said we should be on the next CD."
So, what are the plans of Dorenfeld and the hopes of Analog Heart?
"This summer we’ll start taking submissions for ‘Dorm Sessions 10’," said Dorenfeld. "Hopefully we’ll have it all picked and done by November, and it’ll be out in February."
"I would like this compilation to be a calling card," said Cohen, who still has faith in the music industry system that once worked so well. "If we were signed by a label, we could be distributed to a nationwide audience. That would be nice."
Analog Heart plays at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge on May 19. For more information on Heavy Rotation Records, visit www.heavyrotationmusic.com
- See more at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20140518/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/140516376/12492/ENTERTAINMENT/?Start=2#sthash.gf77RwKh.dpuf - www.Wickedlocal.com

Though still a relatively new band, Massachusetts based Analog Heart is gaining a large and loyal fan base. The band which made up of Liz Bills on vocals, rhythm guitar, and keys, Austin Ferrante on drums, and Jesse Cohen on guitar met through Craigslist about four years ago. What started out as a solo project for Bills quickly began to feel more like a group, and together decided on the name Analog Heart which means real and organic love. While Bills still does some solo projects including cover songs on YouTube, and auditions on American Idol and The Voice, the band is really the main focus.

The band released their self-titled EP in October of 2012 and their single “13 Years” last December. The song was written by Cohen about his relationship with his wife. The band is working on a new album which they will be going in to the studio to record sometime in January. Bills and Cohen share the song writing duties, but they work together as a band to create the final product. They hope to be done recording the album and release it sometime in late Spring. To help fund and create a professional full length album the band has set up an Indie Gogo campaign. The campaign will give family, friends, and fans the opportunity to help the band get their album made. The money will also help with a new video, artwork, and merchandise. The band is offering a number of perks to people who are generous enough to donate to the campaign. You can donate as little as $5.00 to get a digital single download or sticker or if you are really feeling in the giving mood the band will write you your own song for a $1000.00 donation. They are offering great things at all levels of giving. They are almost halfway to their goal of $7,200.00 with just over thirty days left to go in the campaign. To find out more about the campaign or to donate go to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/analog-heart-debut-full-length-album.

While the band has been playing shows around the New England area they will be taking a break to write and record after their show on December 20. The show will be at The Skybox Restaurant and Sports Bar in Tewksbury, Massachusetts at 7:30PM. Hopefully the new album will bring many more shows this coming year. To find out more about the band, their music, and get updated on their new album and show dates check out one of their many pages.



























Photo Credit: Dagda Photography

Website: http://analogheartband.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/analogheartband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnalogHeartBand

ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/analogheart

Bandcamp: http://analogheart.bandcamp.com/album/analog-heart

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/analog-heart/id575760327

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AnalogHeartMusic?feature=watch - Granite Coast

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ WiFi-PR Group) When energy and raw talent collide, you find yourself listening to the memorable, ear-catching tunes of a band like Boston-based Analog Heart. Liz Bills' vocals soar over her bandmates' powerhouse sound, a hearty blend of indie rock with a touch of pop, and together they create music that is distinctly all their own. Their talents most recently combined to release their latest video for "13 Years," and there's plenty more on the horizon for this promising group.

Analog Heart is comprised of Jesse Cohen on lead guitar, Liz Bills on rhythm guitar, piano and lead vocals and Austin Ferrante on drums. They work with revolving bass players at the moment, but they recorded Analog Heart with Scott Riebling, the bass player from Letters to Cleo. The three core members of the group coalesce to contribute their talents to the soul of the band and share the authentic, powerful music that comes forth from their collaborations with their fans.

The trio names a number of musical influences that have inspired their music, including Etta James, Paramore, Kings of Leon, Silversun Pickups, The Killers, Florence and the Machine, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, among others. They find themselves most often compared to Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Paramore and The Killers, while Liz's distinct, impassioned voice is often compared to Janis Joplin.

It is that voice, emblazoned with fresh talent, that brought a great musical accomplishment to the group. Liz made it onto the TV show American Idol in 2013, where she made it to the final 30 girls and was on TV during Hollywood week. Another proud moment was the collective effort behind their self-titled recording debut, which they released in 2012.

In addition to their album recordings, Analog Heart have also focused on creating eye-catching videos to accompany their singles. Their most recent video is for their single, "13 Years," and it features the group providing a peaceful outdoor setting with a catchy soundtrack complete with a fiery chorus—and later a fiery piano for the outgoing lines.

Analog Heart will contribute their track "Elephant Song" to WiFi PR Group's compilation Indie Anthems Vol. 5, a collection of songs from independent talent across the globe. The digital mixtape will be handed out as 3,500 download cards at Coachella in 2014, and 1,500 more will be available via download codes on the Indie Anthems Bandcamp page.

With their eyes set on the future, Analog Heart plan to release their second EP sometime in the future and to embark on their second tour in April 2014.

If you'd like to get a taste of what Analog Heart brings to a live performance, check out some of their upcoming shows: March 22nd at The Claddagh in Lawrence, MA, March 28th at The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA, and April 11th at The Spot Underground in Providence, MA. The April 11th show kicks off their second tour, and more details can be found on their website.

You can find Analog Heart's music, including their self-titled album and single "13 Years," at most major online outlets, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Music Store, Rdio, Rhapsody, Muve Music, Last.fm, iHeartRadio and Bloom.fm to name a few.

Check out official music videos for their second and most recent single "13 Years," released in December 2013, and for "Elephant Song," their first music video, released in May 2013. You can also find a video of their live cover of Florence + The Machine's "Shake It Out."

About Analog Heart Music
Analog Heart EP (2012)
"13 Years" Single (2013)

Website: http://analogheartband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/analogheartband/info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/analogheartband
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/analogheartmusic
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/analogheart
Bandcamp: http://analogheart.bandcamp.com/album/analog-heart
Myspace: https://myspace.com/analogheartmusic1 - www.Top-40Charts.com