Courtesy of KristenPierson.com
Hailing from North Attleboro, Mass, York is a band to watch in this years Rock Hunt. Formed less than two years ago, York has grown from founders Dan Pawlowski (vocals, bass) and John Shay (rhythm guitar) to include Emily Rickard (vocals, keyboard), Mike Taub (guitar), and Erick Cifuentes (percussion), giving them a fuller sound and a more adventurous musical style. Two parts Paramore and one part The Academy Is…, with just a dash of soft rock sweetness, York is constantly surprising; their wide ranging strengths make them hard to pin down. Songs like “Reservoir” and “This Love” belie the band’s acoustic-only days at the beginning of last year, while the harder “Let Me In” is a crowd pleaser for those looking for a little more of a prog-rock edge. It’s here that York really shines: Rickard and Pawlowski’s vocals give Hayley Williams a run for her money, and Shay, Taub, and Cifuentes lend a drive and energy that’s rare in the local music scene. Whether you like your music hard and rough or sweet and smooth, these guys are guaranteed to satisfy.
York is in the middle of finishing up their debut album, Boxful of Memories, due out in June – we’ll probably be getting a taste of it at their semi-final show at Firehouse XIII on the 25th. To listen to their music and get updates on their shows, check them out at www.reverbnation.com/thisisyorkmusic, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thisisyorkmusic.
