Today is the first Media Monday and I am kicking it off with The Neighbourhood (NBHD). The NBHD is an upcoming band that is slowly sweeping the nation from their west coast hometown of sunny Newbury Park on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The NBHD is composed of vocalist Jesse Rutherford, guitarist Jeremey Freedman and Zach Abels, drummer Brandon Fried and bassist Mikey Margott. The NBHD has introduced a new genre of music design just for their band I like to call it dark pop. They have that pop feel to their music, but if one closes their eyes and just let the music flow through their soul they will hear so much more. Jesse’s vocals gives the band the pop feel, but Jeremey and Zach provide that dark sound to it and Brandon adds a touch of alternative rock.
The best thing about the NBHD is that they all known each other since forever, that’s how they came up with their name, they all grew up in the same neighbourhood. Jesse stated in one of his interviews that he likes to surround himself with a group of people who know him and where he comes from, because they been where he's been. The NBHD is not just a typical band that wants to rocket off to success in whatever way they can. They want their fans to actually feel and relate to their music. They have established a theme for their band since the beginning, black and white. Jesse stated in one of his many interviews that they choose the theme black and white because the world was full of so much gray that music shouldn’t be that way. It should be either you like it or you don’t, either it makes you feel or it doesn’t no grey just black and white. When one listens to their music the theme is very evident in it. When I first listen to their hit single “Sweater Weather” I loved it. There was no ‘I think I like it’ moments, which I sometimes get with other artist. I listened to it and wanted to hear even more of their songs. That is how I stumbled across “Afraid” by them. “Afraid” is completely different from “Sweater Weather”. “Sweater Weather” made me want to put on an oversized sweater and head to the nearest beach, but “Afraid” exposed the vulnerability that lies within. One of my favorite lines is, ‘Keep on dreaming, don’t stop breathing fight those demons.” Jesse really takes you out of that comfort zone and puts reality in front of you. We are all afraid of something whether it is not being good enough or the monster under the bed. In this song Jesse exposes that. He even strips off everything in the music video to stress his point in being vulnerable.
The NBHD is everything that I have been looking for in a band. They have amazing vocals, instrumental and visual to complete the whole package, and for this reason I was more than happy when they came to my hometown on their tour. Being able to see them live was like seeing them come to life. They were no longer this band I was following on twitter and liking on Pinterest, but they were right there in front of me. Jesse’s vocals are even better in person. He likes to add a little more on certain parts that just draws you closer literally. The venue he performed at was standing room only and I was about in the middle, but as the concert went on I found myself only seven people away from him. Listening to The NBHD live is an incredible experience that you will not want to end. Jesse makes sure throughout the concert that you know he is very grateful that you are there and liking the music.
They are an incredible band and their album I Love You is equally incredible.
You should definitely give them a listen or two. Check out their hit single down below and leave your comments.
-Blossom