Waves on Waves

For a near decade, Waves on Waves has followed the creative footsteps of art rock visionaries without coming off retro or reeking of derivation. They have evolved their pallet into something between The Police’s Synchronicity and Brain Damage era Pink Floyd --with a front man who sounds like a blend of Elvis Presley and Kate Bush. Bassist Luke Aaron Jones and Drummer Enoch Porch add lush harmonies with an underbelly of vintage synths and four-on-the-floor rhythm. Nashville Scene’s Joey Hood calls it “…noir-pop… with Ziploc-tight emotional gravitas well beyond their collective years.”Now, after a handful of reincarnations and reinventions, Waves on Waves is presenting it’s first proper release (Self Titled) in June of 2008. This debut completes Thornton, Jones, and Porch’s 21st century journey from Indiana garage band to consummate rock pros; and marks the beginning of a new phase with VTP Music, “a sort of music industry investor group,” says the band. The resulting Waves on Waves Self Titled is a tight collection of pop sensibility and oozing art rock, and the group drifts masterfully between the two--- at once the melancholy of Computer Love Kraftwerk with the optimism of early U2 or James.It was the group’s 2004 release Had A Sword that first put them on the underground radar (At the time they performed simply under the moniker Thornton). Music Row Magazine lauded the release’s “fascinating individualism” and Columbus Alive said it was “at once strange and touching”. They earned their reputation as one of Nashville’s premier rock outfits, after winning the prestigious Nashville Scene Awards (Best Experimental Rock 2004). That same year, they teamed up with The Planetary Group in Boston for a nationwide radio campaign which led to Had A Sword being in rotation on over 120 college stations across the country.In 2004 and 2005, the band toured extensively in support of Had a Sword until they were momentarily derailed by one of the worst natural disasters in American history. On August 27th 2005, they had just finished a gig in Houston, TX. “We had played 25 dates that month. Our air conditioner was broken… in TEXAS… in AUGUST! We were utterly exhausted”, remembers Thornton. “The van was packed and the engine was running, someone literally ran into the parking lot to stop us from driving to New Orleans… I guess we hadn’t been watching the news.” The next morning, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the coast. They escaped north and cancelled the rest of the tour. Thornton took a sabbatical, living for several months in South America. Meanwhile, Enoch toured as bassist for the indie/brit-rock outfit Lovedrug (then on Columbia Records). Luke got married.Waves on Waves is in the game for good. “We’ve been through so much together. After all this time I can truly say, this is what we do”, says Porch. As the debut release approaches, the three gentlemen are in rehearsal for live performances through the remainder of 2008 and beyond. “This time we want to truly entertain. More of a show than we’ve done in the past” which is really saying something. Thornton holds a degree in theatre performance and fans have often commented on the group’s theatrical live presence ---along with an overtly sexual (even sexually ambiguous) vibe. Pair this with their tasteful and timeless sound, and Waves on Waves is truly “a force to be reckoned with.” -Clair Scalzi, The Vanderbilt HustlerWaves on Waves:
Thornton: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Synth
Enoch Porch: Drums, Vocals, Synth, Guitar, Piano
Luke Aaron Jones: Bass, Vocals, Piano
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------"...Really sophisticated, musical stuff"-Michael Jay, Jambo Productions "At once strange and touching…” -Steven Slaybaugh, Alive “Fascinating individualism” -Music Row Magazine "...a force to be reckoned with…” -Clair Scalzi, The Vanderbilt Hustler “For those who are sick of musical derivation and sameness, [Waves on Waves'] incongruities and light-handedness are a saving grace.” -Nashville Scene "...noir-pop sounds with Ziploc-tight emotional gravitas well beyond their collective years." -Joey Hood, Nashville Scene