To make a big-sounding indie rock record, you don't need any real frills: just ask California band Midnight Faces, comprised of vocalist Philip Stancil and composer Mattew Doty (also of Saxon Shore with Josh Tillman, a.k.a. Father John Misty). Tomorrow (May 13), the duo will drop its second full-length album The Fire Is Gone, an eight-song adventure through atmospheric synth pop, but before that, they're just trying to get established in the world of alterative rock.
With a peppy, full sound not unlike indie pop acts Foster The People or The Naked And Famous, Doty's '80s-infused melodies blend together with Stancil's classic rock inspired vocals.
Though Midnight Faces' debut album, 2013's Fornication featured many of the same instrumental vibes as The Fire Is Gone, the duo finally began writing together for its sophomore effort, a development that shows through with the album's cohesive and playful melodies.
"[Writing together] kind of just seemed made two parts meld together better. We were there together adding parts, so along the way we can get the idea if its going to be something that sounds good and that we like, and is the direction we want to go," Stancil told Music Times. "Before, when Matt wrote stuff, he didn't know what I was going to add; he might really like the song without vocals, he probably still liked it after, hopefully, but this way we can kind of see where its going as its developing. Rather than having some, I guess some form of uncertainty with it."
Though the band recalls days of yore with its sound with the heavy beats and keyboard heavy instrumentals of songs like "Animal" and upcoming third single "Hold Tight," don't peg Midnight Faces as just another '80s-inspired throwback band.
"I can't really explain the sudden interest in [the '80s music resurgence] now that its been a few years now, now that its kind of building up... but there's definitely more interest in this kind of music for some reason," said Doty.
Even if the band doesn't want to be pigeonholed into one genre or with one specific decade, one thing is for sure, Midnight Faces is gelling well with the modern alt-rock landscape.
Midnight Faces' new album The Fire Is Gone will be released on May 13 via Broken Factory. For tour dates and more information, check out the band's official website.
