#nightriots

[maddie-kirchner]

Discovery! Emerging Bands: Night Riots

I really wanted my first actual post as a music blog to be something that really inspires me and something I am really passionate about. So I bring you... Emerging artists! Each post will have a band with a little background of what they sing and who they are along with some info about their latest album or single. At the end, there will be song recommendations from the album or from previous albums (if their latest release was only a single). Enjoy! 

NIGHT RIOTS

Night Riots was formed in 2010 consisting of 5 members: Travis Hawley (lead singer), Nick Fotinakes (guitar), Matt DePauw (guitar), Mikel van Kranenburg (bass), and Rico Rodrigue (drums). Their sound is described as “American alternative rock.” Originating in San Luis Obispo, California, the band formerly known as PK, met in high school and learned how to play instruments to form a band. After graduation, the band took a short break but then reformed under the name Night Riots. The first song they released in 2014, “Contagious”, paved the way for their new alternative sound for many years to come. On June 26, 2019, they released their newest third album: “New State of Mind.” 

New State of Mind (June 26, 2019)

Description: “New State of Mind” follows up the two previously released albums. “Howl” was released in 2015 debuting as their first album under Night Riots, and their sophomore album “Love Gloom” released in 2017. The band’s alternative sound can be heard with notes of indie and pop hidden within the songs.

The first single off of “New State of Mind,” “Tokyo Diamond Eyes,” can be described as an 80′s inspired, synth alternative summer anthem. This track is easy on the ears with a laid back feel to create a cool listening environment in the hot summer heat. Most of the other tracks, like “Leave us Alone” and “Enjoy the Ride,” have hard-hitting synth hooks, that captivate listeners to enjoy the ride through the rest of the 80′s electro-pop themed album. 

Songs Recommendations: “Talk About It,” “Enjoy the Ride,” “Loyal to the Game” 

(I’m gonna tag a couple people who believe in me and support me... love you guysssss!!! @hercrazybookshelf and @queen-of-all-fandoms... welcome to my first post!) 

[luistolentino]

(vía https://open.spotify.com/track/0Dlx2VRyF2o95UKxRnFFl6?si=wOs3DjvMRTC5iN7btaMLaw)

[ahmeda01]

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding. | Night Riots | El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA | June 30, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . #nightriots #nightriotsmusic #colourmorning #darkviolettour #oasis #wonderwall #elrey #elreytheatre #losangeles #la #koreatown #ktown #california #music #concertlife #bandphotography #concertscene #music #livemusic #musicscene #concertjunkie #iphoneography #lategram #latergram #latepost @nightriots @travishawley @mikelvk @ricorockandroll @themattriots (at El Rey)

[kierkemp]

Playing a couple of shows with @nightriots soon, don't worry about my show but they're well good. Still tickets for Birmigham. Link in my bio. #nightriots #inklings #uk #tour

[theconstellarium]

Did another portrait finally - Travis Hawley of Night Riots. Love their music!

[life-is-a-mess]

I miss this night-me (right), Ellie n Bex met Travis and Matt again n I danced my socks off to Michael Jackson with some gal I met before the show began n she was groovy 💕

[ultimateguitarworld]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nick Fotinakes born June 17, 1988, Guitarist best known as a member of the American alternative rock band Night Riots. He toured with acts like Blaqk Audio, Atlas Genius and The Mowgli's. https://ultimateguitarworld.com/ugwbiographies/ #nickfotinakes #nightriots #alternativerock https://www.instagram.com/p/CBiXws0Hy1m/?igshid=1b11ye8a3qqlv

[alexdavidturner]

The Hunna 11/01/18 We met Ryan and the lads from Night Riots who by the way were freakin awesome!! Such a bloody good night… was even better than I thought it was going to be.

[reluctantlyemily]

#nightriots

[crowdalbum]

45 pictures, photos and videos of The Maine at Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NY on November 04, 2017 https://www.crowdalbum.com/album/59fd65287574691ddf000042/The-Maine_20171104

[clippedwingsmusic]

“New State of Mind” Tour Diary

A ‘New State of Mind’ was discovered last week as Night Riots came out of hibernation and hit the stage for the first time in over a year. This tour ushered in the release of the 3rd record under the same name just an hour before the band walked out to greet fans in San Francisco at the first show of the tour. 

Gentle in sound but impactful in content, The Holy Dark (aka John Miller) is starting out each night of the tour with their distinct emo/folk sound. Although the project is the outlier of the tour in terms of genre, it fits right in when it comes to sincerity and quality. On top of empowered music, Miller also holds what may just be my favorite on stage banter that I have ever heard at a show, so needless to say, these shows start off strong. The moments during the show that The Holy Dark fills with bittersweet songs and the friendly interactions shared at merch afterwards holds many of the memories I treasure most from this tour.

As soon as Moontower walked onto the stage, the energy in the room shifted from emotional to electric. Light and sound are masterfully manipulated by the LA 3-piece during their 30 minute set- truly showcasing why the band is known as one of the most buzzworthy live bands in the LA music scene. Their set features the band’s debut EP, “Season 1: The Ballad of William Hollywood” in full as well as some highly anticipated new tracks yet to have a release date. The crowd interaction with this band is through the roof, and this extra engagement seems to be paying off as everyone in the room can’t help but smile and laugh alongside all 3 of the musicians.

The LA date of tour also featured Orange County natives, Armors. The band has a long tour history with Night Riots, but hadn’t shared a stage with them in nearly 4 years- meaning this show packed an extra punch of nostalgia. Their most recent record “Who’s Gonna Love Me (When I’m Not Young)” has proven itself to be one of the most powerful releases Armors has ever put out in a live setting, improving their stage presence by ten fold. The band rides a similar wavelength to Night Riots as friends and musicians which caused the wave to carry ecstatic energy over the entire crowd for the back half of the show.

Night Riots has stepped right back into their element on stage, not missing a note (or old song) in front of their eager fans after their year-long hiatus. Seeing all 5 members of the band cracking smiles and goofing off on stage in the midst of the show reminded everyone in the room why they all love Night Riots so much as musicians and as people. Tracks from “New State of Mind” are sprinkled into the setlist in celebration of the record, but the main focus of the tour seems to be welcoming old fans back to the band’s world. Tracks dating all the way back to their pre-Night Riots band, PK, carry the sense of community that the band is well-known for among fans, making the only thing thicker than the fog in the room the blanket of elation for the hour that the band is on stage. 

Make sure to check out Night Riots, Moontower, and The Holy Dark on the tail end of the “New State of Mind” tour, and follow them all on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows!

https://theholydarkband.bandcamp.com/

https://thisismoontower.com/

https://www.nightriots.com/

Writing and photos by Ashton Carr

[xdont-jumpx]

Hope you boys dont forget the Crazy Portland Girls! Just to make sure, we left you a wonderful note to remember us by! 🤗 #nightriots #sumerianrecords #bands #photography #portland #oregon #crystalballroom #mcmenamins #CrazyPortlandGirls

[ahmeda01]

“Oh My Heart” | Night Riots | HOB Anaheim | Anaheim, CA | November 24, 2017 @nightriots @hobanaheim #nightriots #hobanaheim #houseofbluesanaheim #houseofblues #anaheim #california (at House of Blues Anaheim)

[kierkemp]

Birmingham! I'm bringing @inklings_music to your fair town next week. Supporting @nightriots. Tickets in my bio. #birmingham #nightriots #inklingsmusic

[theconstellarium]

Travis Hawley of Night Riots performing tonight at Hodi’s Half Note in Ft. Collins. OMG this man has such a beautiful face & voice both! The band was incredible! Annnnd he shook my hand & clasped @inkedacrylic ’s arm! 😲 it meant so much to us!

June 9, 2017. FTC CO

[atlasgenius]

Well that was a fun little evening Atlanta! 🤗 #atlasgenius #andrewmcmahon #zombiesinamericatour #nightriots (at Buckhead Theatre)