Keep Calm Presents: An Interview with Promise of Redemption

When Valencia announced that they were going on hiatus around this time last year, there was little doubt that the band would be sorely missed. Always known for creatively approaching and reinventing the pop-rock genre, the band had few peers, and looked up to no one. However, there is always a silver lining to help fans look on the bright side, and for people anxiously waiting to hear from frontman Shane Henderson, the wait won't be much longer. Adding Valencia guitarist Trevor Leonard to his side project Promise of Redemption, Henderson is back with a refreshed mindset and slew of new songs to sing along to. Before playing a CUBRat show at The College of New Jersey, Henderson and Leonard were kind enough to sit down with Keep Calm and Carry On to talk about where PoR is headed, what the rest of the guys in Valencia are up to, and what's next for both projects.

Keep Calm: You're listening to 91.3FM WTSR on the campus of The College of New Jersey. This is Donald Wagenblast, host of Keep Calm and Carry On, and right now we're here with Shane Henderson and Trevor Leonard of Promise of Redemption, guys, thank you so much for taking the time out for us.
Shane Henderson: Thank you!

KC: So, let's check in: how is Promise of Redemption going right now?
SH: It's good, we just finished a bunch of songwriting and recording. We have four songs that we're working on putting out pretty soon. We're figuring out the release plan for it. Will Noon of fun. played drums on it, which is cool. We're really stoked on the songs, and the material. We're ready to go full-steam ahead.
KC: Shane, this used to be your solo project, aside from Valencia. Now that you've added Trevor in, what has he brought to this project for you?
SH: The voice of an angel (laughs). Trevor and I have always discussed doing a project together. We grew up pretty much in the same group of friends, and the same group of bands. We played shows together with his first band, Procession Came Opposite, and I was in a band called Attracted to Minutes, and we played a lot of shows together. Basically, he brings Trevor Leonard to the table. He's awesome. We really gel as songwriters, because we grew up listening to the same bands. I believe that we both have the same drive, and the same outlook as to what a song and what an album should bring to the table.
KC: I had mentioned this earlier, this was your side project from when you were in Valencia, and now it's what you're doing full-time, for the moment. How has that shift in attention to the project changed your outlook on it?
SH: Well, I've always been focused on it, and I just didn't have much time when I was in Valencia to dedicate to it. But now, I'm just able to put 100% into it, and focus on it. Mainly, in the songwriting aspect of things, it was really difficult to separate the two, between Valencia and Promise of Redemption. There were literally times that I would sit down to write, and if it sounded like a song that could go in the direction of Valencia, then I would bring it to the table, and if it didn't, I would try and work on it a little more on my own.
KC: Like you said, you've got some new material set to be released. Is there anything in particular that we should be expecting from it?
SH: It's definitely a step outside of what Promise of Redemption was. It's not acoustic anymore; it's full-band. I'd like to think that it rocks.
Trevor Leonard: Yeah, it rocks, it's got some Rock N' Roll in there.
SH: It's similar to Valencia, but it brings an aspect of maturity, and the classic artists that we dig, like Springsteen and Petty. It's definitely something new for the both of us. It's not pop-punk, really, it's actually closer to alternative rock. But it's still got that aspect of... (drums on table) (laughs)
TL:It's still got the punk influence, and the pop melodies, you know?
KC: And you mentioned Springsteen and Petty, a couple of months back, you churned out a pretty good amount of cover videos. You did just about one a week. Did doing those covers, and looking at the way other songs were composed, did that go into your writing process of the new Promise of Redemption songs?
SH: Not really. It was mostly just to stay busy and stay relevant, so to speak. Actually, Trevor and I have been discussing what songs we want to keep going with, because we haven't done one in a while. We were working on one yesterday. That should be out pretty soon. It was more for fun, and to give something to the fans that they'd like to hear my take on an artist's song.
KC: A few months ago, you posted something on AltPress.com about what's been going on with your life after Valencia. What the purpose of posting something like that? Was is just to check in with fans?
SH: Yeah, to let them know that I'm not done. Valencia might be taking a break right now, but I'm certainly nowhere near quitting or stopping. I feel like I have a lot to say still, and a lot to give to the industry, and to our genre of music, and to our fans, most importantly. They approached me about doing the article, and I said I would love to because I think it's important for the kids that followed Valencia to understand that Valencia was Valencia, but I was still a part of Valencia, and I still brought what I bring to my project to Valencia, and if they liked that, then there should be no disconnect between switching projects.
KC: And you had mentioned that you guys are on a break; do you have any idea about the standing of that break? Have you talked to anyone else in the band about it?
SH:  Yeah! We still talk to the dudes quite a bit. A couple weeks ago was the anniversary of our drummer Max's passing, so we were all in a room together. I talk to Brendan and George a lot. We've actually discussed with Brendan about bringing him in and seeing what he could add to the project. Even if it's not touring with us, or playing live with us, maybe writing songs, or being a part of the production of the new material, because we both agree that Brendan has a talent that not many people have. Not only just guitar playing, but songwriting.
TL: Yeah, he's a great perspective to have in the mix.
SH: Exactly, and for us, it's good to get that outside perspective, because we get so involved with the whole process. Sometimes it's nice having an extra ear, and being able to take a step back and realizing that, maybe we were too focused on this one idea, that there's other options to add to that idea. Brendan has a good ear for that, and that's actually always what he did with Valencia. He and I would always focus on the material, and he would give that aspect to it that I never saw. He's great with music theory, which is amazing, and he's a great guitar player. As far as Valencia getting back together, I'm not sure when, but I know I would love for it to happen, and I know the guys would be open for it to happen. Right now, it's just not really the time. It hasn't been long enough. I think a main thing for kids to understand was, we had to take a break. We were going full-steam for 8 years, and, not to attack anybody or to say anything about our fans, but it started to see a little bit of a decline. I think it was important for us to recognize that and not drive it into the ground like a lot of bands do, and to take a step back and say, "Hey, this is what you're missing. You should have been at a show." I know that sounds like an arrogant thing to say, but I don't mean it arrogantly. I just mean it in terms of the overall perspective of the band.

KC: Aside from Promise of Redemption, you've actually been looking to get more involved with production, with co-writing, and stuff like that. What sparked that interest in approaching things from the other side of the sound board?
SH: Well, Trevor and I both actually do a lot of engineering and producing. I've just always been a fan of what goes on behind the scenes with songs. I'm a big fan of working with new people. It first started with this artist, Cody Hoffman, I kind of mentored him. That kind of blossomed into a few more other projects, and then I started realizing that I really do like getting behind the board, and learning the science of engineering and sound, and not only that, but the production, and structure and melodies. I just like working with artists and putting my little fingers on it.
KC: And has working with other artists, and sort of providing, like you said, a mentoring aspect  has that changed the way you approach your own songs at all?
SH:  Not necessarily, because it's like, I do what I do with my own material with other artists. That's how I always do it. It definitely inspires me to keep going. I see the passion in other people's eyes, and I see how bad they want it, and it reminds me of how bad I wanted it. And it also gives me that little kick in the butt to say I don't think I'm done. I want to keep going. I know Trevor has been wanting to do this for a really long time, and he has his own projects that are incredible. So I think the dedication and the passion  between the two of us defintely sparks the desire to get out there and keep going.

KC: Well, that's all I've got from my end. Is there anything else you guys want to add?
SH: Be on the lookout for new material. Just keep an eye out, because we have new stuff coming really soon. And obviously all our social media: facebook.com/promiseofredemption, and we both have Twitters. Mine is @ValenciaShane and Trevor's is @TriangleTrev, and just stay in the loop. Come to a show, that's the most important thing is coming to a show and supporting the artists that you like.

Keep Calm and Carry On would like to thank Shane and Trevor for sitting down with us, and special thanks to Brian and Kate from CUBRat for helping to set this up. Make sure you're "in the loop," because there are big things on the horizon for Promise of Redemption! 

12 Days of Christmas, Day 12: Top Albums of 2010

After a few delays thanks to finals, family parties, and other various distractions, the 12 Days of  Christmas special has finally come to an end, and it  will end on the strongest article yet. The process for determining the top albums of 2010 has been such an ongoing process that I actually finalized the list just last night. So without any futher delay or rambling of mine, let us begin the countdown of the top 30 albums of 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 7: Best Album Art of 2010

The artwork on the front of an album is often overlooked in today's music. With a more focused approach on digital sales than the physical release of an album, we've seen less and less of a focus on the presentation of an album. Regardless, there are still a few artists that have pushed their creative boundaries and created album artwork to add to the overall feeling of the album. So without further ado, I'll shut my mouth and let the best artwork of 2010 do the talking (leave your favorites in the replies!):

Show Recap: Valencia at School of Rock East (South Hackensack, New Jersey)

When a person hears the words "School of Rock," they will likely think of the Jack Black movie that will likely be remembered as Black's finest performance. But for some of us who are so lucky to attend a show there, those words mean something much cooler. The School of Rock East is essentially the step bands need to take on their way to getting to bigger New Jersey venues like Starland Ballroom or the legendary Stone Pony. One of those such bands is, thankfully, Valencia. On the verge of releasing their anticipated third full-length Dancing With a Ghost, the band set out on a small headlining run with Automatic Loveletter to support the album's release before touring with the likes of Motion City Soundtrack, Say Anything, and Saves the Day. And while those three bands are all legends in their own right, after the show Valencia put on at the School of Rock East on Friday, October 1st, they'll be on that level in no time.


Before Valencia could take the stage, however, there were a few openers to be endured. Two local acts (The Always and We Are Chosen) were thrown onto the stage, and both were underwhelming.

Where the local openers lacked in energy and a general interest in crowd reaction, Jet Lag Gemini certainly made up for it with their set. When you're looking to book a show honoring the classic ways of pop-punk, there's no better band to book for a show than JLG, and their solo-driven blend of rock was a breath of fresh air to the crowd, which seemed to be losing interest after the local openers' sets. However, the band performed fan favorites "Fit to be Tied" and "Run This City" to the T, with guitarist Vlad Gheorghiu nailing all of his solos, which means a lot to the band. As lead vocalist Misha Zilman went into the crowd for the band's last song, the night moved from "just another show" to something with the potential to be special.

Where JLG succeeded in picking up the energy and pace of the show, Automatic Loveletter equally failed in their overall stage presence. The band is the brainchild of frontwoman Juliet Simms, who no doubt can sing (just ask All Time Low and Every Avenue, who have enlisted Simms's pipes on their recordings), her voice did not sound on point at all, which did not bode well for the future, as this was the first night of the tour. The band's set seemed to drag on, and was only made longer by the anticipation of Valencia playing next.

As the stage grew dim, the PA system began to belt out "Bed Intruder" (if you don't know what that means, Google it for the love of God), and Valencia finally took the stage. Opening with the impactful "Holiday," it became evident why the crowd was so anxious and bored for most of the opening acts; the gang vocals provided by the crowd were near-perfect, and fans old and young a like were lining the spaces between the music and Shane Henderson's vocals with chants eerily reminiscent to the gang/chant vocal parts of the beautiful We All Need a Reason to Believe. Reason songs dominated the set, as the band played most of the songs from their breakthrough second album, stopping only to play the two songs the band had released from Dancing With a Ghost (the title track and "Spinning Out"). However, as a bit of a reward for their more loyal fans, playing "The Space Between" to end their set, followed by "Away We Go" for a brief encore. If one criticism, it would be that Valencia's set was too top-heavy, but at that point, any negativity found would be the result of nit-picking, and Valencia's energetic, emotional, and fun set would have been ruined by doing so. It was a great night for everyone involved: fans got to sing their lungs out with one of the premiere pop-punk bands around, while the band sold a ton of copies of Dancing With a Ghost two weeks before its release. It was a great night, and anyone who hasn't seen Valencia play should do so on this tour, because they just may be playing bigger venues with higher-priced tickets next time around. And they have an undying fanbase who will attest to that. 




More Pictures!

Jet Lag Gemini lead singer Misha Zilman saying hello to the crowd.

Jet Lag Gemini guitarist Vlad Gheorghiu

Valencia vocalist Shane Henderson

Valencia Guitarist J.D. Perry, left, and bassist George Ciukurescu

Valencia bassist George Ciukurasku saying goodbye to the fans.

Fall 2010 Concert Forecast

On Tuesday, a great deal of change was initiated in both my world and the world as everyone else sees it. While I began my segue into teaching America's youth for the rest of my life, the Autumnal equinox was upon us, and Fall had officially started. Over the years, the fall has stood for the beginning of school, football season, and the early Christmas for little kids, Halloween. Now, however, it means the start of Fantasy Football season, the MLB playoffs, and this year, the beginning of the best series of concerts there has been in the Philly/New Jersey area in years. No big paragraph needed here, let's get to the shows you'll find me at this fall. I'll see you there.

Valencia @ School of Rock East, South Hackensack New Jersey, October 1st
With support from Automatic Loveletter and Jersey darlings Jet Lag Jemini, Valencia will mosey into New Jersey with what is likely to be their stellar follow-up to the incredible We All Need a Reason to Believe, just days away from release. And while new gems from Dancing With a Ghost are sure to show up, it's pretty much set in stone that favorites like "The Space Between" and "Safe to Say" will line a setlist that will help to prove Valencia's underrated earnesty and determination to their craft, which is the best pop-punk we've seen since The Starting Line.

Four Year Strong @ Starlight Ballroom, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, October 3rd
Touring with hardcore legends Comeback Kid and promising newcomers The Wonder Years, Four Year Strong's "Tonight We Feel Alive! Tour" is shaping up to be a colossal night full of moshing, with Four Year Strong asserting themselves as one of the best live bands out there. The bearded Bostonians will be out in full force, as they will be making up for a show in Philadelphia earlier in the year that was cancelled due to a fire alarm going off in the venue. Their set should make up for lost time, while spinning the wonderfully-crafted Enemy of the World's standout tracks (and there are quite a few of them) to thank the fans who were shafted in the previous show.

You, Me, and Everyone We Know @ Maxwell's Bar, Hoboken NJ, October 12th
I will plug this band until they're on every iPod in the world. The blend of pop-rock they put out is honest, endearing, and catchy as you can imagine. Now, with debut full-length Some Things Don't Wash Out due out at the end of the month, You, Me, and Everyone We Know are embarking on a headlining tour to take their hard-earned shot at the spotlight to the masses. The New Jersey crowd will be raucous for the band, as the band has stated on numerous occasions that New Jersey is the place they enjoy playing the most. The night is sure to be a light-hearted affair, but has the potential to be one of the shows you'll remember going to for a very long time.

Circa Survive @ The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ, October 16th
Coming off a tour supporting prog-emo juggernauts Coheed and Cambria to showcase their stellar new album Blue Sky Noise, Circa Survive are finally bringing the Noise to New Jersey with a headlining tour, and what better venue than the intimate Stone Pony to display the intricate, beautiful sounds of one of the year's best albums. This is one of those tours where the support doesn't make too big a difference for me, but I'm excited to see Dredg, who could come out of nowhere and win the crowd over. Nevertheless, the show promises to provide a great time for Circa fans new and old, and not a better time will be had this year (at least by me).

A Day to Remember/Underoath @ Asbury Convention Hall, Asbury Park NJ, November 5th
Rounding out an incredible Fall concert schedule for me is the tour that has quite possibly my two most anticipated albums for the remainder of the year. Underoath will be mere days away from the release of Disambiguation, their first release without Aaron Gillespie, while A Day To Remember will release What Separates Me from You on the 16th of November. It's shocking to me that Underoath would take a spot supporting A Day to Remember rather than taking out a few of their Solid State labelmates, but the fan will ultimately benefit from this, as they get to witness a metalcore legend opening for pop-punk/hardcore legends in the making. Bring your moshing shoes, kids; it's going to be a wild night in Asbury.