Rock Band At Sea

By Sam Frank

Since its inception in 1981 CMJ (College Music Journal) has been a springboard for the best new music talent from multiple genres, discovering music’s future superstars years before their commercial breakthroughs. Artists like Arcade Fire, Feist, Justice, M.I.A., Spoon, Hold Steady, Hot Chip, Daft Punk, Eminem, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M, Run-DMC, The Killers, Modest Mouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, Mars Volta, Jet, My Chemical Romance, The Shins, and Foo Fighters have performed at CMJ Music Marathon way ahead of topping the charts, and the band we think will follow that path is New York City’s very own At Sea. Click Here for At Sea Photo Gallery

UnRated NYC caught bassist Geoff Council, drummer Jeff Olson, guitarist Andrew Burns, and lead vocalist/guitarist Jason Brody on stage at The Suffolk in late October performing tracks off their self-titled EP to a group of enthusiastic concert goers. Songs like “Low Light” and “There Were Happier Ways To Go” were among those that received a roaring applause from everyone in the building fortunate enough to hear them. And while 2009 marks the band’s CMJ debut the members of At Sea are by no means wet behind the ears.

Before At Sea Geoff, Jeff, and Jason received critical acclaim as The Death of Jason Brody (TDoJB). Performing at various hotspots around the city TDoJB developed a following that has remained loyal throughout the band’s transition. The inclusion of guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Burns adds another layer of depth to the band’s powerful sound which is demonstrated beautifully on the At Sea EP. “In the end, it’s about taking the listener on a ride,” says Jason. “That speechless, awestruck thrill ride that you go on when a piece of music seems to hone in on that point in your chest and just plays right into it-you know, when you feel connected to it. When it speaks to you. That’s when it’s most fun, for us and for the listener.” There is only one word that comes to mind when listening to At Sea’s EP: evolution. At Sea has risen from the ashes of other bands, and now their sound is a fresh tapestry of inspiring energy that will capture the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Lots of great bands have rocked the CMJ Music Marathon before achieving international stardom, and with their new line up and sound At Sea appears to be heading in that same direction.