The young Grand Rapids prog-rock band was the latest guest on the radio show, which also debuted new tracks by The War & Treaty, Michigan Rattlers, Eric Fulton and more.
Practice Makes Perfect: On the Line adds pop hues to its complex arrangements. (Photo/Local Spins)
THE BAND: On the Line
THE MUSIC: Pop-tinged prog-rock and alt-rock
WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE BAND: July 7 at Ludrock in Waterfront Park in Ludington; July 18 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids for the Local Spins Wednesdays series
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On the Line took root back in middle school, with the young Rockford musicians hitting their stride in high school, churning out sophisticated, prog-rock-centered music that belies their years.
“We practice so much all the time,” said guitarist and keyboard player Frank Tuka.
In Studio X: The band performing during Local Spins on WYCE. (Photo/Local Spins)
“Repetition, repetition, repetition, and you get to that point where you can approach a more complex musical style. … Our goal now isn’t to be the most complex band ever. It’s just to use that complexity or our knowledge to hone in on our craft to make a good … polished sound.”
On the Line – Tuka, singer-guitarist Ryan Jamgotch, bassist Calvin Garvey and drummer Zach Dubay – last year released its debut album, “Color Tour,” recorded at Planet Sunday Studios in Rockford and brimming with the pop-hued, proggy alt-rock music that propels the group.
The band was “on overdrive trying to get everything pumped out,” with the entire project recorded in 36 hours.
The band showcased some of its music during the most recent episode of Local Spins on WYCE, performing the songs “Lydia” and “Cityscape” on the air in Studio X as part of the show. Listen to the entire podcast below, and check out the track “Cityscape” from the band’s debut album here.
LISTEN: On the Line, “Cityscape”
The band has been inspired by the likes of The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marillion, Tesseract, Twiddle and Rush. “My dad turned me on to all the classic rock bands,” conceded Dubay.
Lush Sound: Singer and guitarist Ryan Jamgotch. (Photo/Local Spins)
On the Line also aims to recreate its lush sound during live performances, getting “as close to the record as we possibly can.”
The band currently is working on a new single, “Lucid,” which will be released later this year with plans for a four-song EP in 2019, again recorded with Joel Ferguson at Planet Sunday Studios in Rockford. The band plays the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids on July 18.
The June 1 episode of Local Spins on WYCE also featured the on-air debut of tracks by The War & Treaty (which releases its new full-length Buddy Miller-produced album on Aug. 10), Eric Fulton, Lazara (this week’s “musicians’ pick” by On the Line), EROY, Brant Satala, Drugs in the Carpet and Michigan Rattlers, as well as The Insiders’ version of Tom Petty’s “Insider.”
Listen to the full radio show podcast.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (June 1, 2018)
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Check out previous episodes of Local Spins on WYCE.
Copyright 2018, Spins on Music LLC
