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| KC Metro Teens Release Debut Blues Rock Album Four Kansas City metro area teenagers released their debut album, "Shades of Blue." Christian Sanchez, senior at St. James Academy, started the group last April. Other members include Colin McLaughlin, a freshman at the University of Kansas (lead electric guitar), Alex Haywood, a senior at Libby Lane Academy (vocalist) and Sam Sutton, a senior at St. James Academy (drums). The album features 10 original songs written and arranged by Sanchez and McLaughlin. Haywood was a top 10 finalist in the KC Super Star competition. A former lead singer of The Selfless Remain, Alex is a worship leader for the REVO youth band. Sanchez comes from a folk music background – hence the story telling effect that his lyrics contain. Both him, and McLaughlin, rely heavily on their blues/grunge rock backgrounds. The writing duo draws inspirations from blues artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, and contemporary artists such as The Black Keys, John Mayer, and Gary Clark Jr. Sutton also comes from a blues background, but pulls much more inspiration from ballad drummers like Ringo Starr of The Beatles. "In an era where there is an extreme rise in electronic music, I want to remind people of the powerful affect that blues music can have, " says Sanchez "Shades of Blue is here to turn people back on to the blues." The group has performed at The Art Factory in the Prairie Fire entertainment district, the Nelson Atkins-Museum and Llewellyn's Pub in Stilwell, KS. Beginning with their most diverse song "Good God" the album starts with a bang. Moving into "Soul Cancer" the band tells the story of two women who lost their souls from their own wrong doings. Shades of Blue makes a statement about the 21st century generation with track three, and hinges on the past with track 4, "Old ways." Bleeding into track 5, "Mr. Afghan, " Shades of Blue frames the story of a young boy who watches his father go off to war. "Magik Boy" is the first song in the album that strays from the blues side and stretches towards the Rock n' Roll side, and then proceeds to track 7 featuring the wonderful Kate Cosentino. After that, the album furthers itself into the last purely Rock n' Roll song "Fake Money, " before playing its last purely acoustic track "Dear Mommy." Lastly, the album build to its crescendo with "Bruises"; a soulful heart jerking track about a girl who can't get away from her hurtful love. The album has sold over 100 physical copies in just it's first week. The album is available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, and streaming services such as Spotify, Rhapsody, Rdio and other outlets. To book Shades of Blue, contact Sanchez at 816-868-4475 or by email at shadesofbluekc@gmail.com. Visit the bands website for more information on future shows at shadesofbluekc.wix.com/shadesofblue write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Jazz News :: home page |