Alex Mery & The Townsmen

Artist: Alex Mery & The Townsmen
Album: Safely On Your Way (Demo) (LISTEN)
Released: Fall 2016
Genre: Folk Rock


Alex Mery & The Townsmen, a punk-influenced folk trio from Allentown, are looking to make their mark on our region. If their new demo, “Safely On Your Way,” is any indication, they’re safely on their way to becoming an important part of the local folk community.

The strumming of opening track “War Horse” is a lead-in to profound vocals from Mery, whose searching tone brings to mind the softer side of Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins. The demo opener’s idea of traditional acoustic progressions, peppered with a presence of emo, sets the tone for the record, continuing seamlessly into the following track, “Searching.”

One moment of particular interest is the poignant “Elegy,” which utilizes a haunting synth to underscore Mery’s solemn melody. This creates a moving soundscape fitting for a deep, lonely 3 a.m. thought session.

Track listing:
1) War Horse
2) Searching
3) Lay Down Arms
4) Elegy
5) Where the River Meets the Sea
6) Familiar Sights and Sounds - Lehigh Valley Underground

Alex Mery & The Townsmen presents a highly spirited narrative with the carefully crafted folk leanings of “Safely On Your Way”. Lyrics are front and center of the album as they articulate an entire life. The highs and the lows of a life lived most fully are explored in impressive detail. Instruments shine through with crystal clarity as they incorporate elements of folk, rock, with a theatrical flair reminiscent of the Decemberists. By opting for such an approach the songs unfurl with a sense of wonder of the world. Light and nimble the sound has an airy feeling, one of staring up as the sky with a sense of amazement.

Audio Listening Link: http://www.alexmery.com

“War Horse” begins the collection off on with a great sense of optimism. Here the song’s descriptive quality works to its ultimate benefit as it celebrates the beauty of the natural world. Settling into a sweet tender groove is the brilliance of “Searching”. The stately sound of “Lay Down Arms” feels rather apt as the song reveals a sense of longing. A communal spirit defines the album highlight of “Elegy”. On this track Alex Mery & The Townsmen take their time in building the song up in such a satisfying manner. Nimble in tone is the intimate “Where the River Meets the Sea”. Bringing the collection to a joyful conclusion is the tenderness of “Familiar Sights and Sounds”.

Cinematic in scope, Alex Mery & The Townsmen present a truly tender view of the world with the infinitely tasteful work of “Safely On Your Way”.

https://www.facebook.com/alexmeryband/ - Skope Magazine

It’s been a busy couple weeks for Alex Mery & The Townsmen.

First, they were the featured artist at Open Mic Night with Billy Bauer at SteelStacks. Then, it was revealed that they will be at American Spirits Roadhouse tomorrow night.

And yesterday, they released a new single.

“Lay Down Arms,” mixed by Kevin Soffera at Hybrid Studios, draws a bit more strongly on the band’s pop punk influences, with Alex Mery’s vocals being reminiscent of emo’s heyday. All the while, there is still a prevalence of the folk sensibilities that brought this trio to the dance.

If you like “Lay Down Arms,” there’s more where that came from. The band is preparing to release an EP this summer, which means it won’t be long before you hear even more new music from these rising local stars. - Gerard Longo

Having a full year and a mid-Atlantic-to-Southeast tour under their belts, it makes sense that this would be the summer for Alex Mery & The Townsmen to release their anticipated “Folklore” EP. Now, the band has a fully-realized, official debut recording to call their own as they continue their momentum forward.

“Folklore” starts off strong with “War Horse,” where the band’s full, dynamic sound greets us. Mery’s searching vocals set forth a sense of pop punk/emo melancholy, while the song holds true to folk song structure and storytelling. Another example of strong dynamics is “Elegy.” Chilling, ambient keys from Kara Hartzell combine with Mery’s slow, plodding guitar strum and late night regret-fueled vocal, before Matt Anderson’s pounding drum entrance and the aforementioned duo’s tandem vocals kick in to give the song some oomph.

Anderson shines again on “Lay Down Arms,” driving the official studio version of the band’s debut single forward with his percussive talents. Speaking of singles, it would seem that the album closer and title track of “Folklore” has just as much potential; it packs as much punch as “Lay Down Arms,” and even features a fun, clap-along chorus.

Track listing:
War Horse
Lay Down Arms
Elegy
Where the River Meets the Sea
Folklore - Lehigh Valley Undeground

Blending together influences like Billy Bragg, Against Me!, and Blink 182, Alex Mery & The Townsmen have created a unique and versatile sound that straddles the line between folk storytelling and punk rock's hard edged melodies.

The trio - consisting of Alex Mery (guitar/vocals), Matt Anderson (percussion), and Kara Hartzell (bass/vocals) - came together via Craigslist. Mery and Anderson met each other using the platform to form a previous project, later forming Alex Mery & The Townsmen and adding Hartzell in similar fashion.

Having burst onto our local scene since the release of their September 2016 demo, "Safely on Your Way," the band is now preparing its debut EP, Folklore. The five-track effort will be released in June, and will feature reworked demo tracks, a never-before-heard song, and the band's signature single "Lay Down Arms."

The release of Folklore will begin a big summer for Alex Mery & The Townsmen, who will embark on a 12-city tour this June and July/ The band will then return home for the summer, with a big performance set for Musikfest's Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz stage on Wednesday, August 9.

"We are beyond stoked for the opportunity to perform at Musikfest," said Hartzell.

"We thank the local musicians who continue to support us in our ventures, an are excited to share the stage with them during this performance."

For updates on Alex Mery & The Townsmen, find the band on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (AlexMeryBand) and at alexmery.com.

At Fig and Lehigh Valley Underground, we believe in the power of live, local music to build community. Learn more about the valley's music scene at lehighvalleyunderground.com. - Fig Magazine

Alex Mery & The Townsmen playing songs from their debut EP "Folklore" on Television. - Service Electric Cable Channel

Featured on local FM radio station Spin Radio 107.1 - Spin Radio 107.1