Stone Cold Fox

Are you getting hit with some really awful seasonal affective disorder around now? A good way to shake yourself out of that slump is through music that will feel like you're being displaced elsewhere, like Stone Cold Fox's new song "Change My Mind." The Brooklyn four-piece make music that blurs the lines between electronic and indie, creating a very pleasing, enticing sound for you to latch on to. "Change My Mind" represents this perfectly, delivering dancey and joyful synthesizer beats, overlaid with groovey guitar leads. The band has an innate knack for finding the sweet spot of catchy music that isn't shallow, leading you to want to teleport from your shitty apartment to an island paradise.

Stream the track below, and keep on the look out for their EP Tunnel Vision due out this spring. - Noisey

Brooklyn quintet Stone Cold Fox laboriously hone their often spontaneous sounding tracks, emerging with a psychedelic form of disco that is swimming in punchy echo. It is often difficult for the five members to get a song through the birth canal, but ultimately rewarding for their die-hard fans who have come to rely on their quality output.

According to the band, “Change My Mind’ was “rewritten, revised, re-arranged so many times we lost track. We lost perspective so many times, we almost gave up on it. But we believed in the core of the song and forced ourselves to stick with it. Some songs take a day to write—everything comes together and it pours out. And other songs take years of piecemeal, with half mumbled phone recordings, acid synth jam sessions, and hours of studio time. This one was definitely the latter.” - The Vinyl District

Much like the beam of light in single’s cover art, “Contagion”, the newest track from Stone Cold Fox, begins in a fairly straightforward way, with synth lines resting underneath “Where’d you come from / where’d you come from / where’d you go.” The sonic pallet expands and builds quickly, though, with the addition of striking percussion and dirtier guitar — the music seems to naturally spread like light hitting a reflective surface. This is particularly true for the interlude after the first chorus, a harmonized break that slows down the pace but builds the intensity, and the perfectly fuzzed out conclusion. Check out the track above, catch the band at The Beehive CMJ and read below for more on how the song came about!

“Contagion” is a song born out of the frustrations of conformity and trends that every musician has to struggle with and recognize. The song is a culmination of a two year journey to find our own musical identity that we can feel comfortable being in, like figuring out your first not awkward haircut. Musically we wanted to use familiar sounds and elements but arranged in an unfamiliar way, incorporating both the danceability of electronic music and the energy of rock and roll. - The Wild Honey Pie

You know you’re in for a great performance when the crowd canvassing Mercury Lounge is youthful, vibrant and energetically singing in tandem with the lead singer of Stone Cold Fox. The Brooklyn quintet plays music that reminds you of dreamy picnics in the summer with friends. Their indie arrangements promote nostalgic, familiar sounds, yet leave one recognizing that SCF truly encapsulates earthy electronic underpinnings as well. If you haven’t had a chance to see these memorably energetic gentlemen, get there a good 15 minutes early because they truly have a loyal fan base that spills their enthusiasm onto the stage! - The Wild Honey Pie

The stage at Rough Trade in Williamsburg is empty with blue lights highlighting all of the instruments, ready to be used like musical prostitutes. Stone Cold Fox drummer Aaron Hamel comes out first and starts playing a beat. The rest of the band follows as the crowd erupts in an enthusiastic roar. Lead singer Kevin Henthorn leans into the microphone and starts belting out the first lyrics to the band’s hit song “Sold” with great conviction.

This concert was the first time Stone Cold Fox headlined at Rough Trade and was also the biggest show the band has played together thus far. One would assume that a band in this situation would show their nerves on stage and not be able to perform to their full potential but that was not the case for Stone Cold Fox.

The energy that they emitted throughout the room created a vibe that made it impossible for anyone to stand still, including myself, making it really difficult to take non-blurry photos! Bassist Justin Bright threw his long, curly blonde hair all over as he feverishly strummed his bass; Henthorn’s lip snarled every time he belted out his notes with passion; guitarist Graham Stone just couldn’t stop smiling the whole time; Hamel was beating the drums so hard I’m surprised his man bun stayed intact the entirety of the set; and keyboardist Ariel Loh stroked the keys with a grace not usually seen during a rock performance.

The first half of Stone Cold Fox’s set consisted of songs from their 2014 album “Memory Palace” including “Seventeen,” “Darling,” “Adaptation,” and “January.” They even brought out their friend Natalie Mack to sing a few songs with them, her voice adding an airy, ethereal wave to their gritty rock sound. They then played “American” and “Give Up the Kids” off of their 2012 EP “The Young,” seemingly feeling nostalgic about that fact that those songs are about three years old now. They then surprised the crowd with their new song “Contagion” they had been working on for a while and played for the first time that night.

They initially ended their set with “Father Spirit” but the crowd was channeling Oliver Twist and asking for more. As Stone Cold Fox ran back onto the stage Henthorn shouted, “This is to say goodnight!” They played a song called “Dreams” and what a way to say goodnight it was. I would be lying if I said I didn’t go home and have a dream about their amazing show that night. - Pancakes And Whiskey

Nashville – Stone Cold Fox found a place to shine in Nashville, debuting to local audiences at The Basement. The Brooklyn-based indie band wowed with their stunning (yet brief) set, bringing with them ethereal synth chords complimented by solid percussion. What resulted was a densely packed show that brimmed with youthful energy. Once Stone Cold Fox took the stage, listeners immediately perked up to their sunny sound—a welcome wave of warmth on an otherwise misty, dreary December evening. Those who filtered in and out of The Basement’s New Faces Nite stayed put for Stone Cold Fox, proving that those of us in the audience weren’t there to simply find refuge from the cold.

The Basement, a Nashville favorite and one of the city’s premier intimate venues, proved to be the ideal location to showcase the five-member ensemble. Their music sounded beautifully pristine between the unfinished brick walls, which rang especially true in the silky vocal harmony of “Pictures.” It didn’t take long for me to realize that audiences flock here in order to witness something that is so satisfying on a sensory level, and the unique talent that Stone Cold Fox brought to the small stage only served to highlight this phenomenon.

It’s nearly impossible to define this band’s sound with one word, and while it’s obvious that their arrangements are rooted in familiar influences, the songs themselves seem to transcend any classic underpinnings to emerge as something far more elusive. Not quite rock, and yet not quite electronic, Stone Cold Fox fall everywhere and nowhere on the spectrum to occupy a classification of their own. This was perhaps best embodied in their emphatic finisher “Sold,” where the electric elements present in the keyboard and guitars merged flawlessly with the raw vocals and punchy beat. To simply pin it down would be an injustice.

It was no easy feat to maintain the crowd’s energy on such a sleepy Tuesday night, but Stone Cold Fox certainly kept everyone in the audience—seated and standing—moving throughout the show. With their set remaining mostly faithful to their most recent release, Memory Palace, the group treated Nashville fans to the album’s undisputed crowd favorite: “Seventeen.” It sounds as angst-y, defiant, and lively as the age for which it was written, and it’s one of those songs that makes the listener feel at least ten years younger—especially when heard live.

Considering the importance of first impressions, Stone Cold Fox’s first Nashville appearance was an absolute triumph, and the rest of their weeklong stay in Music City likely won’t differ. Fans of The Strokes or Arctic Monkeys, who desire a little more in terms of instrumentals, will instantly fall in love with the diverse sound of these newcomers. With music that is simultaneously free-spirited and sharp when heard live, Stone Cold Fox is a band that brings nothing less than excellence to the stage. Regardless of where they go next, they’ve certainly made permanent fans this far south, and those of us in Nashville are eagerly awaiting their return. - BestNewBands.com

Memory Palace by Stone Cold Fox
My first introduction to Brooklyn-based indie band Stone Cold Fox was through its single “American” from the band’s 2012 EP The Young. The summer ditty became an instant earworm for me. Two years later, Stone Cold Fox has released its first full-length, Memory Palace, and I find it just as engaging. Album opener, “Sold,” sticks closely to the American roots style of earlier efforts, but the album as a whole denotes growth with singles like “January,” a warm synth ride; “Seventeen,” a joyous song about a melancholy breakup; and “Graduation,” which packs a harder punch than previous work. The entire album seems like an impeccable pairing for summer car rides, barbecues, and beach days. I especially like the bopping “Adaptation” with its opening line “Hey there apologies for talking / But I cannot resist your stare”—a nice reminder that this time of year is great for brief flirtations of all sorts. [Becca James] - AV Club

The Band: Brooklyn’s Stone Cold Fox, purveyors of high quality indie rock.
The Video: A live version of “Darling Darling,” off their album Memory Palace, out May 6.
Fun Fact: These guys are pretty great. We expect big things. Listen to the song “Give Up The Kids” below for a double dose.
Liner Notes: “Darling Darling is a throw back tune to the good ol’ days when people actually danced to songs,” says songwriter/lead vocalist Kevin Olken Henthorn. “It’s more of a fantasy song about being a suave crooner, it’s like my alter-ego’s approach to love. In reality I’m not nearly as cool.” - American Songwriter

We've been addicted to the energetic songs of Brooklyn's Stone Cold Fox since we featured them in our Discover The Undiscovered series! Now we're excited to premiere their new album, Memory Palace, that you can stream below!

Every song is as addicting as the one before, filled with a youthful vibrancy that you want to dance along to. They know how to blend their influences in a way that sounds cohesive, even when they contrast gritty vocals with breezy synths. The results are catchy choruses and memorable melodies that are worth listening to time and time again.

If you don't believe us, then listen to Memory Palace for yourself. You can thank us after! - FILTER Magazine

"'January' is the lead single off of our debut LP memory palace," explains Stone Cold Fox's Ariel Loh. "It is a clash of indie rock and dance music with a sense of urgency. The song sits at the peak of our album as the rest of the outside world collapses on our focal character. 'January' is meant to be an escape from the exterior elements and a climax of frustration from internal dialogue." - Huffington Post

It’s been a while since we’ve had our hearts broken (*knocks on wood* *gives SO foot rub* *makes complicated dinner*), but it’s impossible to forget how it feels. And it only takes one look at Stone Cold Fox‘s “Seventeen” video to remember our own tears, (unreturned) texts, and hours of Facebook stalking (we mean… uh… what?) as Fox frontman Kevin Olken Henthokrn lays dazed in a pile of beer cans, food, blow-up dolls, and meds after splitting up with his girlfriend. (Well, we wouldn’t know anything about the blow-up dolls, never having been there, but everyone deals with </3 on their own terms.)

Watch Stone Cold Fox’s “Seventeen” video after the jump.


“I know the guys you’re dreaming of,” Kevin sings on “Seventeen,” the Brooklyn outfit’s first track since last year’s The Young EP. “And I know they don’t know how to love.” And like the good bros they are, Kevin’s bandmates try to rouse him from his emotional stasis by dressing up in goofy costumes, smashing beer bottles over their head, ripping up the cherished photo of his ex, and putting him through “A Clockwork Orange”-style reprogramming. All pretty good friend moves, sure, but it’s not until a magical team of hipster cheerleaders show up that things take a turn for the better.

That’s pretty much always the case when it comes to heartbreak, isn’t it? It’s not until you remember that there are other good things out there in the world — other glasses-wearing cuties, your best friends, your music — that you can stop focusing on one particular thing that used to be good, but isn’t anymore. It’s a lesson that gets easier to learn as times goes on — “I was a boy back then, but now I’m broke in two,” Olken Henthorn sings, reflecting back on being 17. Not forever, though.

“We filmed “Seventeen” in a remote house outside of Saratoga Springs,” Olken Henthorn, who wrote, directed, and edited the video, explained over email. “We shot it with a small group of 20 incredibly talented friends and colleagues. The shoot spanned three-and-a-half days of early call times, back-to-back set changes, and endless confetti cleaning. We wanted the video to tell a different story instead of mirroring the narrative of the song, so the video picks up where the lyrics end. It was an absolute blast making the video, and we are excited to share it with everyone.” - MTV Buzzworthy

Every so often it's refreshing to receive emails directly from artists. Don't get me wrong, we love the publicists, but there's a very real connection when a band ditches the middle man and sends us their music directly. In this week's edition of Follow Friday, we introduce you to Stone Cold Fox, a band that sent us a personal message containing their wildly awesome music video "Seventeen".

After releasing their debut EP last May, the indie-pop quintet based out of NYC is looking forward to piecing together their first full-length. We chatted founding members Kevin Olken (lead vocalist/guitarist) and Ariel Loh (producer/synth) about the progression of their sound and how getting drunk in a cabin was the secret ingredient for a terrific music video.

You guys are from Purchase New York, right?

No, we both went to school at Purchase. It was a SUNY school, but we all live in Brooklyn now.

You all met at Purchase?

Half of us, Kevin and I met at Purchase. The rest of the band formed itself when we on our way out of purchase. We're all based out of Brooklyn now. It was in-between that phase that we formed a live band. It started off as an acoustic recording project.

What kind of stuff are you guys doing?

Basically just indie rock, a lot of folk. The EP had a lot of folk roots, but Ariel kind of added an entirely different electronic element to it.

How was it putting your EP together, that was your first big release correct?

It was great, it was self released. We did all of the recording ourselves, everything was done by ourselves. we released it last year in May, and we've been riding off of that so far. It's been really good, everybody really likes it. We're really happy about it.

Being that it's your first EP, is there anything in the works right now?

We just finished recording with Joel Hamilton who produced "Seventeen", that was our latest single release. That's going to be the setting for our next album, which we will be recording soon. We're going to Connecticut to do some writing for it, so we're going to start on our way of piecing together an album pretty soon.

You said "Seventeen" was the setting, can you go into a little detail on what you mean by that?

Now we're working with the whole band when we're bringing new material to the table, where in the past it was kind of just Kevin and I drawing off of each other. It's definitely turning a little bit rockier - it's just different. I think "Seventeen" is the direction we're headed towards. It's a little bit of a heavier sound. It's kind of a jumping off point.

Can you tell me a little bit about the making of the "Seventeen" music video? Was it your first?

No, it wasn't out first. We also have the "American" video, which is another song from the EP, with the help of our friend. For this one we worked with all of our friends from film school. So me and Fil, who shot the video, really just sat down, pieced it together and I wrote it. When we were filming our song, it was a really fun weekend. We had twenty people staying in this cabin and just had a blast. We got really drunk, had a few drinks. It was hard work though, we did everything in 12-hour days.

Was everybody in the video friends of yours?

Yup, we did it with people we know. It felt appropriate to do it that way. We kind of lived together for a weekend.

Where was the cabin?

Saratoga Springs.

You also said that you're starting to go up and write in Connecticut, is there an expectation for when something will come out?

I don't think we're going to release something for a while, at least not until fall at the earliest. We really wanted to spend time putting together, getting our feet on the ground, spend time putting together an album, really making sure it's what we want. Hopefully we'll do some shopping around to see if some labels can help us out. I think it would be great to have a release by the fall, but we'll see. We'll see what it turns into. For now we've got "Seventeen", the only new single for a little bit.

Going back to the music video, being that it was on quite a few music sites - what was that like, what was the reception from your friends and family seeing that?

The reception was really great actually, everyone seems to like it. Besides my ex-girlfriend... - Baeble Music

What was your pre-production like on this project?
Ariel: The preproduction process involved us recording a demo and bringing it to our producer Joel Hamilton for opinion and critique. With his insight and direction, we would go back to our home studio and rework out parts and arrangements in the demo. This went back and forth a couple of times before we hit the studio.

How did you choose the studio?
Ariel: The summer after my junior year in college (2011), I was in search of an internship with Studio G (now referred to as Studio G Classic). Instead of finding myself in the studio, I was recruited to help construction of their new space Studio G 5000. I spent a summer helping to turn a 5000 square feet warehouse into a state of the art recording complex consisting of 3 studio rooms, so it only made sense that we went back to go record there.

PRODUCTION
What kind of sound were you looking for and how did you achieve it?
Kevin: We were looking for a rockier sound. The instruments were more rhythm driven and we used the vocals to carry the primary melody. We also decided to only use live drums instead of incorporating programed drums.

How does it compare to your last release in terms of style and the creative process?
Kevin: It's angrier. It's not like the EP songs, which are about home and growing up. It comes from a much more visceral emotion of break up and withdrawal. It's like the difference between walking down a hill and jumping off a cliff. Let's just say it was a difficult time haha.

Did you use any special gear or recording techniques on this one?
Ariel: Yes, yes, and yes. Joel has a command-station worth of "special gear" and is an audio wizard of sorts. One of the notable chains was running guitar with an Earthquaker Devices Organizer pedal into an Echoplex

What was your philosophy on live, full-band takes versus individual tracking?
Ariel: We always like to individually track for recording purposes, but we have everyone playing together for the performance and feel.

Any special guests?
Nope.

What did you try to accomplish in the studio that you’re not able to do live?
Kevin: We really concentrated on finding the exact sounds we wanted to represent the song. We wanted to really experiment in certain parts as well and we really needed to sit down and observe it, rather than playing it live. The live version is like a caricature of sounds, we have our pedals and tones that give the general idea of the sounds we want, but it wasn't until we sat down and observed each sound that we really discovered what the song needs.

What were the toughest challenges you faced?
Ariel: In regards to recording, it was one of the smoothest and most enjoyable recording process I have ever been a part of. We did have conflicted feelings in the songwriting and arrangement in a section of the song during preproduction that ended up being resolved on the first day in the studio. Also being the producer and engineer for everything up to this point, it was a challenge to consciously relinquish some control and entrust it with the producer.
Kevin: I'm really used to working with Ariel as the producer and we've developed a certain routine of yelling at each other in disagreement for days. We really come from different places so it takes us awhile to lock down the final say, but it usually comes out balanced and we both end up happy. It was definitely different working with Joel because I had slightly less control. We really just had to put our trust in Joel to find the right take, the right sound, and the right mix for song. Though it was a jarring experience, the song came out amazing and working with Joel proved to be extremely educational and frankly inspirational.

Any funny stories from the session that you’ll be telling for a while?
Kevin: On one of the more experimental sections of the song we had an ongoing joke about finding "just the right amount of heroin."

POST PRODUCTION

How did you handle final mixing and mastering?
Ariel: We spent two days in the studio and Joel was able to give us a final mix by the end of our second day.

What are your release plans?
Kevin: We are releasing the single along with a music video, that I will be directing, in early February. Right in time for the Valentines day. So we can all be depressed and pissed off together. - Performer Magazine

Welcome to the October edition of Discover The Undiscovered. We’re excited to present Stone Cold Fox, the new band that you all should know.
Their debut EP, The Young, perfectly marries Kevin Olken’s gritty vocals with Ariel Loh’s upbeat synthesizer grooves. Olken and Loh met as classmates at SUNY Purchase where Stone Cold Fox originated as an acoustic bedroom project that has expanded and grown into a solid indie-folk group that blends a youthful and energetic sense of comfort through beautiful songs and simple aesthetics. Now complete with Justin Bright (electric bass/bass synth), Graham Stone (guitar, backup vocals) and David Tedeschi (drums), Stone Cold Fox show off cheeky songwriting under catchy, indie pop tunes to ultimately, capture the spirit of being a twenty-something in America.

FILTER caught up quickly with Stone Cold Fox for a little 101 about their beginnings and inspirations…

Who are your main influences?
Kevin: We both draw a lot of inspiration from Radiohead and The Walkmen. While we like a lot of the same stuff, we have our differences. Ariel finds inspiration through production and arrangement, and I am much more lyric based.

How did you meet?
Ariel: We met in a smokey haze freshman year at SUNY Purchase where neither of us can remember exactly our first encounter.
Kevin: On second thought I think we met in one of the studios at school, or maybe through my ex drummer Zebulon... This question is much harder than it appears.

What is your biggest achievement as a band to date?
Kevin: Not punching each other in the face.
Ariel: Aside from that, we're pretty proud of our first release The Young, and happy about the feedback so far.

Where did the band name originate?
Kevin: It's a saying I've always liked to describe a smokin babe.

Favorite Bands?
Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Girls, Strokes, Peter Green, Jeff Buckley

Plans to Tour?
Kevin: Most likely in the spring. Funds are tight right now and we're mostly concentrating our time in the studio right now.
Ariel: We're currently booking shows for cities and schools in the northeast.

Plans for next release?
Ariel: Right now we are working on a single release for early next year. We are working with Joel Hamilton to help us produce the record. - FILTER Magazine

There are some records you bring along for a hike through your day, and a precious few that grab you by the hand and lead you down their own path for the time it takes to listen through. For new(ish) group Stone Cold Fox, 'The Young EP' possesses such a power. From the moment you'll hear Kevin Olken Henthorn's screaming tenor over the hook in opener 'Pictures,' you'll be in it for the album's duration. Like folksy powerhouses Arcade Fire and local wunderkids The Freelance Whales, this duo's energy sneaks up from behind and overtakes you, and pretty soon you're covered in sweat and have forgotten once again to do the dishes. Fall shows haven't been announced yet, so you have some time to catch up, below, until they do. - Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) - The Deli Magazine - NYC

Stone Cold Fox is an indie-rock band based in Brooklyn, N.Y. It just released a five-track EP called "The Young," and is part of next weekend's KahBang Music Festival happening in Bangor.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Kevin Olken Henthorn hails from South Freeport and is a graduate of Freeport High School. The rest of the band consists of Ariel Loh on synth/back-up vocals, Justin Bright on bass/synth, guitarist Graham Stone and drummer Avery Burton.

Henthorn is as pleased as punch to be coming home for KahBang, and was happy to talk about the band, the new EP and the upcoming performances in his home state.

Let's start with a band history. When did Stone Cold Fox come to be?

Ariel (Loh) and I started working together in fall of 2011 while attending our last year at Purchase College in New York. He was studying at the Music Conservatory, and I was in the Film Conservatory. We starting recording what we thought would be a series of solo acoustic songs, but with Ariel's production, they totally turned into something much larger. We realized we had a legitimate sound, and decided to form Stone Cold Fox.

When was the EP released?

We officially released "The Young" on May 18.

How did you land a spot at KahBang, and what does this mean for the band?

We sent our press kit to them, and they decided to book us. We've played a few city festivals in New York and some small college festivals, but this will be our first large outdoor music festival. So we are pretty stoked.

After KahBang, what's next for the band?

Well, we're gonna take a little break. I'm going to Europe to shoot a film. Ariel and Justin may go to Los Angeles. Our next show is in New York City for an EXFM Showcase on Aug. 30. This fall, we will start work on our first full-length album. We'll be playing a lot of East coast colleges, CMJ, and if things align, we will try to do a little tour this spring to SXSW (South by Southwest).

How's the local Manhattan music scene?

The NYC scene is competitive. There's some great music out there, though, and it's really exciting when you play a show with great artists, because then you can link up with them and start a little network.

How do you personally like to describe the sound of the band?

Nostalgic, catchy pop-rock with folk roots.

Tell us one thing that, above all, you want people who are unfamiliar with Stone Cold Fox to know.

We want people to know that our goal as a band is to create catchy, accessible music that still holds integrity. We don't want to get caught into being just another pop-rock band. We have more to say than "I love you sweetheart," but this is certainly a tough line to follow. We'll do our best.

How did you come up with the name Stone Cold Fox?

The name Stone Cold Fox was inspired by a certain someone. It's also a great way to say you're foxy. And it just sounded like a band name to me.

Staff Writer Aimsel Ponti can be contacted at 791-6455 or at:

aponti@pressherald.com - Portland Press Herald

Brooklyn-based indie rockers Stone Cold Fox is a band made up of recording engineers, filmmakers and drum maniacs who met in upstate New York; quickly gaining a following for its unique sound which has attracted attention from the Wild Honey Pie, Pop Matters, MTV, and others.
Yahoo Music is pleased to debut the video for the band’s latest single, “Contagion,” for fans to get an introduction. Enjoy! - Yahoo Music