Hometown lads travel the musical landscape
By RYAN D. BEARDSLEY - rbeardsley@sungazette.comArticle Photos
City natives Dana Janssen and Seth Olinsky, two of the three members of the Brooklyn-based band Akron/Family, will play for a hometown crowd at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.
But they may be a bit difficult to spot –– they will be among the 100 guitarists conducted by Rhys Chatham for the world premiere of his new composition, “Les 100 guitares: G100.”
This will be the first time since 2005 that the musicians have played for their native town.
Since signing with Young God Records in 2004, Olinsky and Janssen said they have had incredible times playing numerous festivals, appearing on the David Letterman Show, releasing several albums and constantly touring –– in the United States and Canada, Europe and Brazil.
According to Olinsky, who once again lives in Williamsport, the group hopes to begin recording a new album this summer in the city, possibly at the Raytowne complex.
“That would tentatively be scheduled to be released spring of 2009,” Olinsky said. “We’re also making a trip to Spain, playing festivals in Canada, and there’s also talk of traveling to Australia, Japan and even South Africa.”
Akron/Family recently had the opportunity to play at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, as well as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.
Janssen said he enjoyed meeting and watching other bands perform at South by Southwest, as well as getting Akron/Family’s music out there to those who may not have come across them any other way.
“South by Southwest — the shows were great, and it was an outstanding time,” Janssen said. “We had a lot of fans come out and see our shows, but also got a lot of attention from people who have never seen us before.”
Olinsky said the group headlined one night at Emo’s — a popular venue in Austin known for its live music — as part of the South by Southwest Festival.
Akron/Family invited their friends and other musicians onstage to create an almost 25-piece ensemble at one point, Olinsky said. The night culminated with a finale that had the horn section leading the audience out into the street in front of Emo’s.
“A lot of fans turned out and everyone had a good time,” Olinsky said. “It was just really crazy, but an incredibly fun time.”
Olinsky described Coachella as a big rock festival in the desert, with sweltering heat and live music all around. He said with the number of bands playing at one time, it’s easy to get lost in the mix and swallowed by the “beast of the festival.”
Janssen said he was in awe most of the time. Prince was headlining the festival, and Janssen was thrilled to see the rock legend live and know that he was playing at the same show.
“We were just hanging out in the desert watching Prince,” Janssen said. “It doesn’t get much better or cooler than that.”
Two weeks later, Akron/Family played at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, and were bombarded by fans who had seen them at Coachella.
Olinsky thinks the Coachella festival put the band in touch with a younger audience that wouldn’t normally listen to the music, so he found it an incredible opportunity to make new friends and new fans.
“After the set all these kids were coming up to us saying how they saw us at Coachella and how awesome we were,” Olinsky said with a laugh. “We’ve been at this for three or four years, and in that time we’ve built an audience in one niche. It’s cool finding new ways to play for different audiences.”
“Playing these festivals is good for our fans, too,” Janssen added. “I think they sort of put you at a certain level, and playing festivals like these means a lot to the fans — to know we’ve done things like that.”
Both are looking forward to a future of sustainability — which includes more touring and working on a new album. Olinsky said he enjoys the creative freedom Akron/Family has under Young God Records, but it might soon be time to move on to a new label.
The group currently is in the process of speaking with new record labels, because Akron/Family always is looking to take the next step up in the music industry.
“We’re all really grateful for the opportunities we’ve had so far,” Olinsky said. “Coming under the wing of Michael Gira of Young God Records has probably been our biggest break so far, but sometimes you know when it’s just time to move on.”
Janssen agreed that Gira was the launching pad for the group, although he recognizes that a band doesn’t make it mainstream easily. He said it takes a lot of work, and even a little luck.
He contended that he’s having fun along the way, however, and experiencing thrills of a lifetime. Although constant touring can weigh on a person, he enjoys seeing new places and making new friends — expanding Akron/Family’s fan base.
“You don’t go to superstardom overnight — and that’s a good thing,” Janssen said. “You get out there and start touring and learn so much from it. Everything that you would associate with being a rock star is not like that at all. Seeing the reality of it is pretty huge.”
“But one of the great things about Akron/Family is that we’ve always done things our own way,” Olinsky added. “We’ve never really committed to a certain musical place. We’re building a base in order to be established for a long time.”
