Ever since discovering the guitar at the age of 12, Now It's Overhead's Andy LeMaster has been one busy musical madman.
He has contributed to Bright Eyes and recorded most of the music on NIO's self-titled debut and its recent release Fall Back Open.
Though listeners might not be able to tell, LeMaster says his songwriting influences range from R.E.M. to Bruce Springsteen to My Bloody Valentine.
"I grew up in the '80s, and that's when I really started loving music. So a lot of the big '80s bands, like R.E.M., The Cure and U2, are probably the most deep-seated influences for me," LeMaster said.
LeMaster says he would love to record with Brian Eno (David Bowie, U2) because of his ethereal, unidentifiable production sound, which is closely related to the description LeMaster gives NIO's new album.
"It roughly has the structure of pop songs that is roughly cinematic, soundscape and ethereal. It's three-dimensional, sonically speaking, and I feel like you can kind of immerse yourself into the sound of it," LeMaster said.
That description alone shows how incredibly deep, unique and mood-setting NIO's music is. Not only are its lyrics poetic and profound, but they enhance the music in a way that is perfectly complementary. The blend of '80s sound and melodic mixing of various genres is what makes the band's music unique and ingenious.
Fall Back Open, reveals a vast blend of picturesque '80s sound along with techno. It delves deeper into the theme of relationships than on its previous album.
"This one (album) is about longing for fulfillment in many different ways, and that's kind of what each song is about. It plays into the cycle of searching and finding and finally realizing that what you found isn't it ÷ and searching again," LeMaster said.
But perhaps what stands out the most from the new album and for LeMaster is the collaboration with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe. Because of Stipe's musical influence on him, LeMaster describes the experience as rewarding and refreshing.
"(Stipe) expressed that he was a fan of the first album, so I felt kind of absurd asking him if he'd be willing to work on it. But anyone like him that has a really strong personality ÷ you just come away with a little bit of that, a different perspective. It breathes new life into a song," LeMaster said.
NIO's unique sound on that song and others can be heard when the band comes to Solar Culture tomorrow, although two of its original members are on tour with Azure Ray right now. Steve Scarborough and Coley Dennis will be filling in.
LeMaster says the change gives a variety to the music that is revitalizing.
In any case, NIO's live show provides an engaging experience that plays off the audience.
"If you can feel the eyes on you, then I don't have to think about anything else. I just kind of get caught up in the music and go with it. That alone is pure fuel to play a good show," LeMaster said.
But on the long tour, LeMaster takes pride in five things to ease the situation: a mattress, Whole Foods grocery store to satisfy his vegan tastes, a shot of whiskey before the band plays, his recent cravings for Fleetwood Mac and his new noise cancellation headphones to block out the sound from the van.
Hopefully, Tucson can offer him a mattress instead of a floor. Any takers?