The Interlopers
Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
As I watched the Interlopers play at The Sinclair in Harvard Square last Tuesday night, I found myself wondering whether Berklee College of Music teaches a class on how to make great faces during gigs. This thought surfaced while watching Nick Veinoglou spin out a guitar solo— he looked like he was having a wordless conversation with his instrument. I also had trouble keeping my eyes off of drummer Curtis Kelley, who crinkled his eyebrows, stuck out his tongue, and shook his head back and forth, all while keeping up a steady beat and singing lead.
The band, a self-proclaimed “young, organic, smile and joy-inducing musical organism… barely old enough to drink,” started as a group of high-school friends making music together in their basements. Their professionalism gave no hint to these humble beginnings, and I admired their energy and proficiency with their instruments. It’s always nice to see a band with chops. The drums, guitar, keyboard, bass, trumpet, and saxophone wove in and out of each other effortlessly. Most importantly, none of the band members stepped on each other’s toes, as can sometimes happen with a group of well-trained musicians.
It was clear that the Interlopers were trying hard to energize the audience, and they succeeded. I had little trouble grooving along to their upbeat set, which defied single-genre characterization. The main melodies and refrains were mostly in pop-rock fashion, but often took unexpected turns that were more evocative of jazz. Improv solos ranged in style from rock to funk, and brought a little bit of kick to the music. - Zoe Atlas
"The core of the band is three Berkshire kids who are all second-year students now at Berklee. They started the band in high school, quickly commanded the respect of what’s left of the Berkshire music scene. I hadn’t seen them in forever. They’ve grown into a killer R&B band: snakey grooves, three-part harmonies, horns quoting Leonard Bernstein. To a person, they are virtuousos. They’re all around 20. They took the Bolt Bus from Boston that afternoon and were taking it back that night. They played in the dark in this basement club. They filled the room and they held it. People were screaming by the end of their set. These days, that’s punk, my friends." - Metroland
Discography
Johnny Eyebrows EP- Released 25 June 2014
"Johnny Eyebrows", the second, completely self-produced release from The Interlopers, was recorded between April of 2013 and January of 2014 across 3 studios. Capturing the band's tight, uplifting and smile inducing energy, Johnny Eyebrows represents the band's journey from their first tour across the Northeast region, to the formation of their new line up with brilliant new members Jakob Rabitsch on Keys, Nick Frenay on Bass and Diego Human on Saxophone.
"Sun Drenched", written and recorded at The Record Company in Boston, MA, April 2013, was released as The Interlopers' first single and music video and now finally cut for an EP release.
"Johnny Eyebrows" and "Loving Hands", first appearing on the band's debut album, "Don't Forget to Breathe" in 2012, were re arranged for the new line up and recorded at Berklee College of Music's Studio A with legendary producer, George Massenburg.
"Rely on the Road" and "Hold On", the newest of the 5 tracks, were written in July 2013 for the band's first regional tour. They were then recorded in September 2013 at Engine Room Audio in NYC with Dan Millice and Gabe M.G. They were then released as singles with live studio footage from Engine Room, courtesy of Lambkini Productions.
All the songs were mixed and mastered by The Interlopers' own Diego Huaman and Curtis Kelley, who helped sculpt The Interloper's signature, clean, warm, and energetic sound in the studio and beyond. The Interlopers are honored to have been joined by multiple great friends and musicians, writing, recording and producing these songs.
Musicians on Sun Drenched: The Interlopers: (Curtis Kelley (Lead Vox/ Drums), Nicholas Veinoglou (Guitar), Jakob Rabistch (Keys/Vocals) and Ariel Shrum (Trumpet).
On bass: Nick Frenay, and on Sax: Kama Bell.
Written by: Curtis Kelley, Ariel Shrum and Nicholas Veinoglou
Musicians on Johnny Eyebrows and Loving Hands: The Interlopers w/ Nick Frenay on Bass and Diego Human on Saxophone.
Johnny Eyebrows, Written by: Curtis Kelley, Nicholas Veinoglou and Ariel Shrum.
Loving Hands, Written by: Curtis Kelley and Nicholas Veinoglou
Musicians on Rely On The Road and Hold On (Summer 2013 Line Up): The Interlopers w/ Max Weiner on Bass and Emily Duff on Saxophone.
Rely On The Road, Written by: Curtis Kelley and Nicholas Veinoglou
Hold On, Written by: Curtis Kelley and Nicholas Veinolgou
Artwork: We are honored to present the funky, the groovy, our dear friend, the very talented Tyler Gasek, who we worked with on designing the front and back album covers. Based out of Chicago, IL and also a fantastic saxophone player, you can find Tyler's Signature style all over local Chicago funk and soul music.
Additional Photoshop work: We are also thrilled to be working with the very talented, up and coming photographer and graphic designer, Kaya Blaze Kelley. Based out of Berkshire County, MA, you can find her work all over Facebook and Instagram. @KayaBlazePhotography.
Credits
Songwriting:
Sun Drenched and Johnny Eyebrows:
Curtis Kelley, Nicholas Veinoglou, Ariel Shrum
Lyrics: Curtis Kelley
Loving Hands, Rely on The Road on Hold On:
Curtis Kelley and Nicholas Veinoglou
Lyrics: Curtis Kelley
Musicians: The Interlopers
Curtis Kelley - Lead vocals/ Drums
Nicholas Vienoglou: Guitar
Jakob Rabitsch - Keys/ Vocals
Nick Frenay - Bass/ vocals
Ariel Shrum - Trumpet
Diego Huaman - Sax
Additional Musicians:
Max Weiner - Bass on "Hold On" and "Rely On The Road."
Emily Duff - Sax on "Hold On" and "Rely on the Road."
Kama Bell - Sax on "Sun Drenched."
Mixed and Mastered: Diego Huaman and Curtis Kelley
Artwork: Tyler Gasek
Additional Photoshop work: Kaya Blaze Kelley
The Interlopers 2014 All Rights Reserved
Photos
Bio
Hailing from Boston, MA, The Interlopers began, as the brain-child of Lead Singer, Drummer, Curtis Kelley, in 2010. Known for their blend of classic and modern sounds, The Interlopers create a fusion of old funk with a new soul. After 6 years of recording and performing across the northeast, and most recently, a short festival run in Valencia Spain, last summer marked The Interlopers’ return from a brief hiatus, bringing a brand new line up and a bold new sound.
The Interlopers now consist of Guillermo “Gui” Goldschmied on bass, Ian Schaid on Guitar, and Adam Marks on keyboards; all held down by Curtis Kelley on drums and vocals.
With the release of their latest single “Elevation,” in November 2016, and a brand new album on it’s way for an early spring downbeat, one can expect many new and exciting moves from The Interlopers as they charge into a new chapter of music making.
Band Members
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