Featured Artist - May 2007
Atlas
www.myspace.com/atlastheband
atlastheband.co.nz
It's not every day that three people from different parts of the world
meet and immediately decide to form a band, but if your talking about
New Zealand based band ATLAS, that's exactly what happened.
In April 2005, at the famous Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, New
Zealand rocker Ben Campbell and his sister Beth Campbell were
introduced to American solo artist Sean Cunningham. The three were
introduced by producer Hank Linderman in hopes that they would combine
their talents to write songs for their seperate solo careers. Five days
later the group decided to form ATLAS.
Also in L.A. at the time playing with the legendary Sting was Ben's
former bandmate and future ATLAS lead guitarist Andy Lynch. Now
relocated in Auckland, New Zealand, ATLAS have proven their worth with
their gripping first single "Is This Real" topping the rock radio
charts. Written by Ben and Sean, the song is a gritty, honest account
of finding yourself. "It’s a song about growing up, about not having a
real structure in life," Ben explains, "looking for reasons to get up
and do things." The track, which has brought the band much attention in
the music industry, was recorded in Christchurch by Elements Music and
mixed at Neil Finn’s studio in Auckland.
Now with a hit single under their belts, ATLAS are releasing their
second song "Crawl" to radio and TV. "For me 'Crawl' is about not
wanting to conform to the majority, and wanting to figure life out for
yourself" say's Sean. "It's also a song which has helped to define us
sonically, finding where our sound sits". The group have been working
hard on that sound, combining their varying tastes in music to come up
with their unique rock sound.
“We’ve written most of songs based on three acoustic guitars and three
vocal parts,” says Beth. “It’s all built around harmonies, melodies and
hooks.” So whether they grew up listening to the Beatles or Fleetwood
Mac, Radiohead or the Sex Pistols, if there’s one thing Atlas agrees
on, it’s the strength of a good melody.
With plans afoot to release their debut album "Reasons For Voyaging" in
July 2007 for international release, ATLAS are surely the band to be
listening out for on radio and music stations.
www.atlastheband.co.nz
