Wednesday, we meet again. Yes, it’s halfway to the end of the week, and really far away from Monday, but most importantly, it’s Local Radar Day! I mean, what day isn’t great that we can chat about local music? I’ve been experiencing some really cool new music lately from a ton of good bands, so keep up the good work and keep things fresh!
This week, I am going to talk about a band that has been around for a few years, but they are new to me. You may or may not already know them, but either way, I will be sure to fill you in! They go by the name of Stelladeora. What does it mean and where does it come from? I am not exactly sure; I just know I really dig their sound, they’ve got a cool image, and I want to learn more about them! They have talent, style, depth, and I am sure a whole lot more. So, let’s chat about how great they are, pat them on the back a little, give them some praise and put them in the spotlight where they belong.
Stelladeora describe themselves as a “punk/indie/rock/progressive” act from South Plainfield, NJ, with members Justina, Avi, Neil and Mike. First off, we have to talk about this genre categorization. It’s compiled with four very distinct and different genres, which can only mean one thing: It’s got something in there for everyone. Sometimes it’s hard to place bands into one category. In fact, when I usually ask that question, artists cringe at it. Why? Because a genre is a label. Just like we don’t like to be tagged in certain groups or have people assume that we are something, it’s the same with bands. In my opinion, it’s the best thing possible to keep it broad, like they are doing here. It also gives you the best chance to grab a listener who may not have “liked” you if you only named one style of music.
I found out about Stelladeora from Jersey Rock’s socials, which has been my main hub in discovering music these days, and believe it or not, it was a cover of theirs, not their original tunes, that immediately caught my attention. Ever hear of a little band called Paramore? Well, unless you’ve living under a rock for the past few years, I am sure you have. They recently covered the band’s latest single, “Still Into You,” in an unplugged way. Yes, you guys, I am into you! First of all, I am a fan of the song in its original format, for every time I hear it on the radio I turn it up. But to hear it stripped down and actually analyze the lyrics, with a completely different twist put on it, I fell in love with the song even more. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not getting it tattooed on me or anything along those lines, but it’s really neat. Justina has a great set of vocals that are very diverse in range and extremely powerful. I really think that she could sing “Three Blind Mice” and give me the chills. This song showcases her style completely, hitting every note perfectly. It’s not overdone or forced, and it’s almost as if the song was made for her to sing (sorry if you are reading this, Hayley Williams). They posted this track on their Facebook page, and whether you’re a fan of Paramore or not, I truly feel you will enjoy it. That being said, this song proves that there is a lot of depth to this group that you may not be expecting to hear just by checking out their website. They are a cookie-cutter example of a band that you want to explore from beginning to end.
Now, let’s focus on their original songs, for they aren’t a cover band. I started off with a track called “Magnetic Poetry,” which if it isn’t a single, it should be, as it has staying power. The chorus got stuck in my head and this song is probably the one I referred back to most when writing this article. Their sound is hauntingly dark yet very pretty at the same time, if that makes any sense at all. It has some very “rock and roll” moments thanks to those really nice guitar sounds.
I am also a fan of “My Mistake,” for I feel the lyrics can be very relatable to the listener in some situation or another. If you are an avid reader of the Radar, you know I am a fan of songs that I can place myself into on a personal level. I must admit, when I read their cited influences—which included Evanescence and Coheed & Cambria—I anticipated them being looped right into that active rock sound, which isn’t a bad thing at all! While they could easily open up a show for those artists, their sound is very intricate. The band’s most recent release, A Dosage From Delusional, contains a lot more depth, emotion and haunting sounds than has hit a “rock album” in a long time. It’s also fantastic that fans can stream the whole disc on their socials, so they can form an opinion and hopefully go see the band live after falling in love!
If you’re looking for an enchanting, melodic, meaningful ride through the musical parts of life, centered around a brilliant voice, Stelladeora is the band for you. They’re somewhat refreshing if you’re thirsty for something contrasting yet flattering with heavy guitar riffs and great beats. You can learn more about them at https://www.facebook.com/Stelladeora, or on Twitter, their official website, and pretty much all over the internet. Again, there is a little something in this group for all to enjoy. Catch them live at a venue near you in the future, and hopefully we will bump into one another.
I will be back next week with another hot act; new, old, it doesn’t matter! Same place, same column, I will see you guys then! Keep supporting the local music scene!
