News

October 16, 2007---- Hey everyone, we've been quite busy lately. We have written a lot of new material. Some of it may find it's way into our set list very soon. Also, we have been testing out various page setups so our Myspace page may look a little different in the near future. Also, we will be playing at the Klinic (520 S. Park St.) on Friday, October 26 at 10:00 P.M. with Strange Arrangements. There is a $5 cover. And, we finally have a band AIM, and the screen name for it is: royalmessengers1. You can talk to us whenever we are online. We can answer any questions or just talk (We like to meet new people).

Past News:
September 24, 2007---- We had a fun time at our show at The Klinic on Saturday. We'll put up a blog about it with more information. Also, we sold a few copies of our album. You can still buy them for $3. Send an E-Mail to [email protected] 20, 2007---- We're looking forward to our show on Saturday. And, copies of our debut album, "Neon Tranquility", will be available at the show. We haven't decided on a price yet. However, the album will be 5 dollars or under.
September 9, 2007---- Hey everyone, we know we haven't added any news in a while, so here's what's been going on:
The cd is very close to being ready for sale (we haven't decided on a price yet-it will be very inexpensive, though). We'll try to have it in local stores, and you will be able to buy it at shows, from any band member, and online (maybe iTunes).
In other news: we finally have an online store. There's a link to it on our Myspace page. Currently, there are a lot of clothes and other items. We may also have them for sale at shows, too
August 15, 2007---- 4 of the songs from our debut album, "Neon Tranquility", are now on our Myspace page. The album will be available very soon. And, we have decided that 2 different versions of the album art will be available. Also, we will be playing at The Klinic again on Saturday, September 22 at 10:00 P.M. with: Cole Hunter, James Kapp, Zen Machine, and Mental Afro.
August 13, 2007---- Thanks to everyone who was at our show last night at The Klinic. We had a lot of fun at that show. We will be playing at The Klinic again soon. Also, we have been working on finally finishing our debut album, Neon Tranquility. You can check our Myspace often for news about the cd, it should be finished very soon.
August 5, 2007---- We have finished recording our debut album at Madison Media Institute. There are 8 songs on the album. Also, we will be playing at The Klinic on August 12 at 5:30 P.M. (Doors: 5:10 P.M.). Tickets are $8 (Door: $10). For tickets, you can send an E-Mail to: [email protected].
June 20, 2007---- We will be recording our debut album in July at Madison Media Institute. It will have some of our new songs, and we may record some of the songs from our EP to use on the album. And, our 4 song EP will still be a free cd. We will have it at our shows, as well as our new album, when it is finished.

About The Royal Messengers

A lot of kids fiddle with instruments and start bands when they are young, but not many put out an album. But three local teens took the initiative and did just that.
Waunakee High School student Chris Aalid on guitar and Middleton High School students Jay nunnery on drums and Elliott Mickleburgh on bass make up The Royal Messengers.
The progressive rock jam band recently produced and released their debut album, “Neon Tranquility,” and Mickleburgh said the feedback has been good so far. Aalid said the fans of progressive rock that he’s talked to so far have enjoyed it. And Mickleburgh said that’s all they are looking for – for people to enjoy the music and respect them for producing an album. But he also joked the guys wouldn’t turn down a record deal.
“If it led to a record deal, I wouldn’t be upset,” Mickleburgh cracked.
The music ranges across wide spectrums from jazz to funk to rock, and Mickleburgh said the guys just go with whatever pleases their ears. “Anything that we feel is good, we like to sort of add it into the music,” he said. “There is everything from classic rock to reggae on the album. It all just kind of blends. We don’t like to stick to one sound.”
The album is solely instrumental, but Aalid said the music is still expressive. “Even though there are no lyrics to identify with in it, it’s still all about emotional expression,” he said.
Mickleburgh even sees it as a positive, saying the lack of lyrics leaves the music more open to imagination. The music is open too, the guys said, as there are parts in many of the songs that leave freedom for different variation every time a song is played.
Nunnery said the music is very spontaneous and Mickleburgh said that makes every play a new adventure.
“Every time you play something it’s entertaining because it will be a little bit different each time,” said Mickleburgh. Nunnery said the trio has very similar tastes in music and have been playing with each other long enough to navigate much of spontaneity through eye contact and body language.
While improvisation is a big part of their gig, it led to some struggles in the production process, Aalid said. “You can’t really put together takes because you like the beginning 30 seconds, but not the next 30 seconds, and you like the rest of it,” he said. “You have to make sure you like all of it.”
The group caught a break, as they were able to record at Madison Media Institute through a connection Aalid has with a friend who attends the school.
Not only did working at the school save them production costs, but they got a lot of feedback and were able to work with some talented teachers. One teacher in particular, Aalid said, had worked with P. Diddy and Paul McCartney and was helpful in giving the band input on their music. Nunnery said not only was the school able to help them out, but they were able to help the school.“They were doing classes, so we were helping them out too,” the drummer said. Mickleburgh said the wide range of opinions and different ideas was helpful in putting together the album. It was almost like having eight different producers, Nunnery said.
Overall, Aalid said it was a fun and great experience to work on their first album. Mickleburgh said at times frustration set in, but the guys were able to work pretty fast and finish up in only 16 hours over the course of two days.
The group began selling copies of “Neon Tranquility” at their Sept. 22 show at The Klinic on Park Street in Madison.
Aalid said what’s nice about The Klinic is that the club will book any style and give small acts a chance, unlike many of the larger venues in the area. The smaller venue allows for great interaction with the audience, Aalid added, and with no backstage, the band members become part of the crowd both before and after their performance. Nunnery said he also likes mingling with the other bands that play there.
Mickleburgh said the group would like to continue down the path they are on throughout the rest of their high school careers.Aalid said the possibility of experimenting with other instruments in the future is still out there, along with maybe a tour of Midwestern college towns.
Copies of “Neon Tranquility” can be purchased at shows, from any band member, or online at www.myspace.com/theroyalmessengers for $4.
In the future, Aalid said, the album will be available on other download sites, such as iTunes, and maybe available in local record stores.
-Brent Neveel, The Waunakee Tribune

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