These Knees returns in full force to the front lines of the Cleveland music scene with their upcoming EP, Night Fires (produced by Dave Piatek), a follow-up to 2013’s The Young & the Bright. Headed up by frontwoman extraordinaire Stephanie Trivison and backed by Jesse Scaggs (guitar), Bryan Robinson (bass) and Rob Hassing (drums), the group has retooled their sound to create rich, harmonies and mature vocals that create a cohesive sound that transcends the run-of-the-mill indie pop rock genre.
While The Young & the Bright‘s resounding theme seemed to focus on pop-inspired storylines of fun in the sun and carefree days, Night Fires explores a deeper side of love and longing. The opener, “I Want You”, sets the mood of Night Fires, with its emphatic guitar riffs and charismatic appeal. Trivison’s honeyed vocals as she sings the heart-wrenching refrain, “I want you / You want everything we have to give / There can’t be more to life than this” converge into the commanding instrumentation of the other band members.
Followed up by the breathy dream-like ballad “Arrow”, the beat picks back up with a The 1975-likened “Believer” which showcases Scaggs’ dexterous guitar playing while Hassing keeps up the floor-thumping beat. The defiant, bass-riddled “Good Luck” projects the attitude These Knees had been missing in their first release, and a welcomed change of pace. Closing out Night Fires is the playful “Get Lonely”, with rhythms that give a nod to the 1960s surf rock allure.
Ever since her conceptualization of These Knees in 2010, Trivison has proven time and again her tenacity as an artist and musician. With the evolution of the band over the past few years, These Knees has finally found their voice with Night Fires.
These Knees celebrates their EP release this Saturday, November 21 at the Grog Shop with Kid Runner, The Whiskey Hollow, and Murderline supporting. Tickets are $10 and available at the Grog Shop or online. Night Fires will be released digitally on November 20, and on CD at their release show on November 21.