Five Great Side Projects from Five Great Artists
Words & Picks By Christina Santamaria
Fans are always polarized when it comes to artists switching up their sound. As a clever way to avoid confusing the public but still release creative energy, a lot of musicians choose to start one or several side projects. Some are solo, some are with other members from the band, some are supergroups formed with members of other bands—in any form, these works can be easily overshadowed by the artists’more renowned main efforts, but side projects are often the most genuine. They are not created for fame or exposure or even to please fans; they are exactly what the artists want them to be. You might have missed or overlooked the following acts, but I recommend you pay each of them another visit.
Two Tongues
Half Say Anything, Saves The Day—honestly, where could that possibly go wrong? Max Bemis approached Chris Conley about a potential album in 2006 after collaborating on a Bob Dylan cover for a tribute compilation. In 2009 it finally happened, and it was probably the best thing that happened to me in high school. Though their self-titled record is currently the only album in their discography, there has been buzz about a possible 2015 follow-up. I’m thinking their 2014 fall/winter tour together will give them the perfect opportunity to write a few new Two Tongues tracks, don’t you agree?
This Is Ivy League
Among the more unexpected side projects, this über indie group is made up of Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackington from Cobra Starship. Unlike the synth-heavy dance-pop sound of their main band, This Is Ivy League falls on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Both projects surprisingly came about at the same time, but with their focus on Cobra, Suarez and Blackington put their folk passions on a back burner until 2008 when they released their self-titled album. The duo recently split from Cobra Starship, and I’m hoping this means they will possibly revisit this Belle and Sebastian-esque goodness.
The Horrible Crowes
Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem warned fans about the dark sound of his new group: “it’s slow, it slithers, and it’s raw.”This is a stark contrast to Gaslight’s early sunny punk music, and seems to have had an effect on the band’s newer tracks. Fallon and guitarist Ian Perkins formed The Horrible Crowes in 2011 and released their first album, Elsie, the same year. Poetic and broody, this album is full of heart and soul in a way that is different from any Gaslight anthem, yet every bit as punchy. Fallon has said himself that this project is “for him,”and that comes across in the emotional and personal lyrics.
Eagles In Drag
Consisting of members of The Maine, A Rocket to the Moon, and This Century (all of which are either still considered to be pop or have been in the past), Eagles In Drag is a supergroup side project which shows musicians stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something completely new. Their EP came out earlier this year and, despite being drastically different, has gone over exceedingly well with fans. Definitely darker than anything you’ve heard from the three groups before, Eagles In Drag has psychedelic vibes and shows that these guys are capable of some serious jamming.
City and Colour
Dallas Green was in the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire from 2001 to 2012, and started a solo project under the alias City and Colour in 2004. The two are so different from each other that some casual City and Colour fans don’t even know about Alexisonfire. Green is a dynamic and talented musician—he has been able to explore a much softer side of his creativity through this side project, which has achieved incredible success. As City and Colour, he has become a household indie name and been nominated for several awards.
