Artist Feature: Air Review

Air Review’s music is an alluring fusion of indie, electronic and folk. The different aspects of their sound gracefully blend over one another, creating harmonies that calm the soul. I recommend listening to this group on a slow weekend morning, coffee or tea in hand, as their comforting melodies wrap around you like a warm blanket.

They are a four-piece band from Dallas, TX, comprised of Dragan Jakovljevic, Douglas Hale, Richard Carpenter, and Jeff Taylor. The quartet started collaborating weekly in 2008, playing out of a converted garage that provided little amenities (such as no air conditioning). After several jam sessions, they developed a chemistry that is responsible for their unique style, and the opportunities to play live shows naturally presented themselves.

Air Review has shared concert posters with notable acts like Jimmy Eat World, Portugal. The Man, and The Flaming Lips. Their first record, “Landmarks,” was self-released in 2009. However, the band took a brief hiatus after their rookie album came out, and it was unsure as to whether or not they would continue making music.

Much to the delight of their local Dallas fan base, the group came back to the scene after taking time to reinvent themselves, according to their official website. The new artistic direction came in good time and by 2011, they had a hit on local Texas radio station “91.7 KXT” with their song, “America’s Son.”

In 2012, Air Review was recognized by The Huffington Post and CMJ, who reported the band to be “a very different sound from other folk-pop groups” and named as an artist to watch. The publicity was a major break for the band and a turning point in their career.

Doug Hale, founding member of Air Review, sat down with Interview Magazine to talk about the first two records and the time away from another. He said, “Both of these albums were self-produced; the production is pretty great, but as far as melody and lyrics, they’re pretty lacking. What is ironic about the re-branding process, and doing what we really loved, is that our crowd grew as well. If you are able to do what you love, people will come. They’re right there with you on the same page.”

Following the positive publicity and release of their second album, “Low Wishes” (January 29, 2013), Air Review seems to be on a creative roll. On October 7, they published this photo on Instagram with the caption, “Slowly but surely this record is getting written,” a sly revelation that they are in the studio working on new material:

Music lovers should be excited to see what Air Review comes up with on their third album. Until then, I encourage you to enjoy a music video from their song “Young”:

For more on the band, visit:

Website
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

Sources- Air Review’s web page, Interview Magazine, The Huffington Post, CMJ

Pat Howard

Pat has a background in journalism and English from Saint Mary’s University- Minnesota. He returned to his home city of Chicago after completing his degree where he currently works in The Loop. In his spare time, you will find him playing for his baseball and basketball teams, or spending time with family and friends. He has a passion for music, sports, and anything fun, like people who twerk.