Feb 2022 indie-rock fake-band-impersonation
"Umbrella Uprising" is a Portland OR band composed of siblings Lyra (bass) and Rico Jones (drums), with Anthony Smith on vocals and guitars.
The band was formed shortly after Lyra and Anthony moved from Seattle to Portland, inspired by the local hip underground scene. Rico joined shortly after to complete the band formation with his drums.
Named after an incident where a strong wind took Lyra's umbrella away, the band achieved moderate success with their first song "I'm not a good person", released in February 2022. Featuring a simple 4-chord progression throughout most of the song, it talks about depression and self-forgiveness.
(Note: this song is for this challenge: https://fawm.org/forums/topic/12098/)
Oh these days
I’ve been trying all my best
Catching up with the skeletons
Putting old ghosts down to rest
They said I’ve killed so many loves
Some with a kiss, but most with no word
Just the old fears catching up
Oooh forgive me, Lord
I’m not a good person
I hurt those I love
It’s not that I’m bad
I’m just broken inside
What can I say after all is done?
Should I even try?
Every mistake that’s in my book
Makes me wonder why
I’m not a bad person
I still love even though I’m hurt
It’s not that I’m not good
I’m just broken inside
@fireball Mar 2022
after seattle, i always wanted to know the portland scene a bit better... especially because quite a few alaska musicians (and non-musicians) drifted down thataway. i still try the random web search now and again... funny, i didn't check the challenge (or read the tag) until i'd fully swallowed the story. i hadn't fully appreciated this challenge as a chance to create a whole fake backstory behind a song. i bought your whole story and song. nice. i bet your song very much reflects the real "umbrella uprising"... and i like the differences in the two chorus parts. i'm a fan of the slightly-changing chorus when it's called for.
@ampersandman Mar 2022
What I particularly love about this is that with the lo-fi character of the drums this really sounds like a band’s demo. I would go to see them play live.
@guatecoop Mar 2022
What sticks out to me are how your words communicate your empathy and understanding of those who hurt. The lyrics are what go on in the private thoughts and minds of those who habitually do those things. This is a perspective that I hope spreads to more people, rather than just keeping such a simplistic good/bad viewpoint. The opening guitar line just sets the mood--dark and brooding, and it builds from there. I like this song a lot!
@liz561 Mar 2022
This does have the Portland grungy rock feel to it. And such sad lyrics.
@prsongsmith Mar 2022
The mark of a great #fake-band is that it makes me sad that they aren't real. Such a great song - I love the turn from "not good" to "not bad" in the second chorus, and the way it ends on a major chord. And as others have pointed out -- top notch production and performance!
@jlampson Mar 2022
I would definitely be into this band if they were real. They have a moodiness and self-deprecation I find intriguing. I think you've done well at using dynamic variations and melodic sprinklings to change up the chords throughout. Those tags of ambience lend some very shoegazing vibes and I'm here for it.
@angelinapowersuit Mar 2022
Amazing set up, haha. Reminds me of the book, "Daisy Jones and the Six." Nice how you switch from "I'm not a good person," to, "I'm not a bad person." and the internal conflict you reveal throughout. Also nice to hear you step it up a notch and bring out some emotion in your voice in the final chorus.
@tunecat Mar 2022
Spooky starts great bass and gutsy sounds so clear.
@johnstaples Mar 2022
Loving this from the very beginning! As it builds I am really enjoying my listen! Ooo, your vocals come in and have a bit of an eerie sound that fits the music perfectly! These deep lyrics fit the music so very well! This is a great new song!
@resonut123 Mar 2022
Dig the intro arpeggios which then evolves into the chords and the full band entrance.
Groovy but dark sounding vibe.
It's cool when your vocal gets intense for the last verse.
Well done.
@nadine Mar 2022
I would love to listen to this band live. Nothing better than depressive rock. The mix is so good that I don't care about the 4 chords.
@williamjames Mar 2022
Very cool guitar tone and playing. Very indie rock. Your vocals work really well for this style too. Very cool solo section, although the solo could have been longer. Both o the "I'm not...." sections are lyrically fantastic. Very good song!
@musicsongwriter Mar 2022
Very cool song, it speaks about important problems and your singing and playing are very poignant.
@psyt Mar 2022
The guitars sound terrific and were really inviting for the song. Definitely my highlight here, I really liked them.
@beacon Mar 2022
I like the singing in that you have the hushed singing, and then the full out singing. I especially like the pickardy third at the end to make it major.
@jayjay Mar 2022
Love the fake band bio lol
This is a really tight piece of work. Fantastic deep lyrics and great track. Too good to be “just” a challenge.
@chrisrauh Mar 2022
Fantastic! Great vocal performance
@dzdandcunfsd Feb 2022
This is excellent! The song itself, but I'm especially blown away with the production here. This mix is phenomenal, especially considering its a fawm quickie! I would be scared to touch it again for fear of messing it up LOL. I love where everything sits, really awesome lyric and vocal performance too and those guitars/subtle bass coming in were dreamy! Fantastic drum rhythm as well.
Not a band I'm familiar with, but if they sound half this good I'd probably dig it so thanks for the sortuve recommendation...