speed of dark

Self Against City is a Sacramento-based band which is currently on tour in support of their album Telling Secrets to Strangers, to be released January 9, on Rushmore Records. The band was recently in my area, opening for Hellogoodbye and I was unable to score tickets to that show, and out of town for their record release shows shortly after Christmas. Their 2005 EP, Take It How You Want It shows the band developing their sound and finding their own voice.

Last year seemed a rocky time for the band, with some departures among original band members and some new members joining the fold. The album was recorded prior to bassist Patrick O'Connor and drummer Chris Trombley leaving the band. New bassist Blake Abbey, who had filled in with the band in the past, and new drummer Justin Barnes have picked up the pieces nicely.

Self Against City has a really nice myspace page, kept well-maintained and up to date. Their entire tour schedule, some history about the band, and band news are regularly updated, and lead singer Jonathan Temkin was friendly and nice enough to communicate with me very briefly via myspace. I'm sure the band's pretty busy right now, with the album coming out next Tuesday, January 9, and with the busy tour schedule.

You can stream the entire new album on Pure Volume, and I've been listening to it a little bit. My favorite track is "Tequila Moonlight", comparable to a Jimmy Eat World song, with lovely guitars and ooh-ing in the background. I can see them enjoying the spotlight that's currently shining upon bands such as Plain White Ts and Fall Out Boy. Another strong track is "Disappearing Act", and the more I listen to this album, the more I like it.

Enjoy another great track from their upcoming release, and look for the album Telling Secrets to Strangers on Tuesday.

self against city: ready and willing

buy the EP | buy the album | official website | myspace | stream album
watch video for "The Process" | watch interview with the band