For a local group that hasn’t been on the scene too long, The Northerners have done a lot to generate a buzz. While their take on folky, Southern rock n’ roll may not be hugely groundbreaking, their songwriting chops and musical talent are enough to make their songs stand out.
Their strong work ethic and frequent trips out of town have garnered them a following both locally and in the greater Mid-Atlantic region, with their memorable live performances catching the ears of music fans up and down the East Coast. Now, with the release of their debut single, “You,” everyone who hasn’t yet seen one of their frequent live shows can find out what The Northerners are all about.
Photo by Mohsin Kazmi
“You” is a great introduction to what the Northerners are doing, mixing acoustic and electric guitars into a yearning heartland rocker that musically recalls The Allman Brothers as vocalist Ally Khoury channels Janis Joplin overtop of the song’s driving midtempo groove. The video mixes live footage from a performance at The Camel with interview clips in which the members of the band explain what motivates them and why they are so happy to be playing together. With the music fading into the background during the interview segments, it’s tough for the listener to get the full effect of the song, but you definitely hear enough to get a good idea–and to have that excellent chorus get stuck in your head. Thankfully, if you want to hear the whole thing and play it over and over without interruptions, you can pick up a digital copy of “You” from iTunes by clicking here. This is the first studio recording The Northerners have released, but we’re sure it won’t be the last.
Catch The Northerners performing live tomorrow night, along with The Dirty Picture Show, at Emilio’s, located at 1847 W. Broad St. We’re sure you have plenty of Halloween plans already, but if you’re already gonna be bar-hopping (don’t lie, you know you will be), this show is free and offers the perfect opportunity to see for yourself why The Northerners are getting so much attention. So stop in and catch some old-fashioned Southern rock from these up-and-coming hometown favorites. For more info, click here.