Madison-based band Blueheels has been playing the Upper Midwest — Minneapolis to Indianapolis — since 2005, which is when they played their very first show. If you haven’t heard of them yet, you most certainly will. Robby Schiller and Justin Bricco, supplying lead vocals and lead guitar, respectively, grew up in Neenah. They met there at a café open mic and reconnected years later to gather the troops and form Blueheels. The troops consist of Wisconsin-bred Landon Arkens (bass), Teddy Pedriana (organ/piano/synth/percussion), and Adam Cargin (drums, cymbals, percussion).
Together they make a very memorable band.
It has been seven years since their creation and the group has released three albums so far and played around 500 shows, but don’t expect Blueheels to slow down. In fact, they will be releasing their fourth studio album on August 31, and we have had the pleasure of listening to it before almost anyone. You should be jealous.
Weather Machine will consist of 10 songs that are most accurately described as a blend of modern rock and contemporary indie music. The guitar drums are powerful and the guitar is heavy with a good layer of distortion, but the vocals are why some would place the band next to indie groups such as Arcade Fire or Avi Buffalo.
Upon listening to the first song, I was struck by the unique vocals of Robby Schiller, which turns the music into something that is recognizably Blueheels. It appears that vox is applied to the track after it has been recorded, so there is a robotic and echo-y quality to the songs that doesn’t overpower the talent that Schiller possesses. Coupled with the fact that Schiller’s voice is deliciously nasal, the vocals are different than any I have heard in a long while. Nasal may sound like a negative word, but I assure you that it isn’t. It is a refreshing choice. Honestly, it is often Schiller’s voice that draws listeners into the music.
While all songs on Weather Machine are wonderful, the ninth track on the album has attracted me the most and has quickly become my favorite. It is called “Slippery Stones,” and has a melody that is catchy and addictive. Only after two listens, I find myself singing along. The rest of the band sings notable backup for the song, as they do in a lot of the tracks, and I can imagine it being a wonderful song to dance to at one of Blueheels’ shows.
The slowest songs on Weather Machine are “Almost There” and “Desert Waltz,” which both stand in contrast to the more jumpy and active other tracks. They are beautiful. At first, I had been expecting for all the songs to sound alike, but I was pleasantly proved wrong. Blueheels is very versatile, and each song is different enough to provide a new experience with each track.
I first listened to Blueheels’ new album in the car, and soon I was taking the backroads home and rolling down the windows so that I could let my hand fly in the wind. Even the slower songs on Weather Machine are feel-good and infective, and will make anyone want to relax and enjoy the music.
So, if you are looking for songs that will make you dance and inspire you, then you need to get your hands on Blueheels’ new album, Weather Machine. It is heavy enough for rock lovers and unique enough for those that enjoy local indie music.
You will be able to buy copies at www.blueheels.net upon its release date of August 31, but you should be able to pick it up at their next show on September 8, which happens to be here in Madison at the High Noon Saloon. Check them out. You’ll be glad you did.