The Maravines

The Maravines
Background information
Origin	Union City, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, folk rock
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Mint 400 Records
Members	Chris Lee Evan Pope

The Maravines are an American rock band that is from New Jersey.

History

The Maravines are a folk rock duo from Union City, New Jersey that formed in 2010. They released Pearl independently in 2011. They are recognized for their lo-fi production, sullen harmonies, and reserved instrumental accompaniments, and draw comparison to the music of indie rock bands like the Shins and the Decemberists. Performing at the Stone Pony and many popular venues in New Brunswick, New Jersey let them develop a place in "the local [New Jersey] music scene."

Mint 400 Records

In 2013, they joined Mint 400 Records and released the ten-track album The Maravines. The album is described by Alan Cross as "mellow and folky." Joe Wawrzyniak of Jersey Beat gives similar review, saying the "melodies are very mellow and relaxing, with the gradual tempos and subdued beats casting a laid-back vibe that's quite appealing in its easygoing quality," further commenting on the songwriting as "thoughtful" and "endearing." Distelfink was released in 2014, and the album charted on US college radio nationwide, spending several weeks in the "Top Songs And Albums Of The Week" at Gettysburg College's radio station WZBT, which is located nearby the legendary Distelfink drive-in that appears on the cover. The album is outlined as "melancholy," and "exud[ing] the type of soothing vibe that is perfect for a rainy day, but "without too much washy dream pop feel." The lead track "Sweet Sixteen" is described as a "sublimely lovely thing [reminiscent] of Midlake, all rainy day acoustics and pining harmony."

In 2016, the Maravines released the eight-track album Sloan, which is noted for its "warm harmonies, jangly guitars and anthemic choruses." They performed at the 2016 North Jersey Indie Rock Festival. In 2017, the Maravines self-released Dotty which features "slide guitar and lilting vocal melod[ies]." In 2018, they released the ten-track album Belmar.

The Maravines appear on several Mint 400 Records compilation albums. In a review of Transformed: A Tribute to Lou Reed, Jim Testa of Jersey Beat calls their cover a "moving version of "Walk On The Wild Side" that captures Lou's empathy for the misfits and outcasts of society." On 1967, they perform a "true-to-form rootsy" arrangement of the Byrds "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," and give "All Apologies" by Nirvana "the psychedelic treatment" on Mint 400 Records Presents Nirvana In Utero. They also appear on the Fairmont album 8½, sharing vocals with Neil Sabatino for the song "Gone."

Members

• Chris Lee – vocals, guitar, bass and percussion
• Evan Pope – drums, guitar, vocals and bass

Discography

Albums

• Pearl (2011)
• The Maravines (2013)
• Distelfink (2014)
• Bruce (2015)
• Sloan (2016)
• Dotty (2017)
• Belmar (2018)
• Covers (2019)

Compilations

• Acoustic Showcase (2015)

Appearing on

• Patchwork (2014)
• Rock the Lup: Volume V (2014)
• Transformed: A Tribute to Lou Reed (2014)
• 8½ (2015)
• 1967 (2015)
• In a Mellow Tone (2015)
• The 3rd Annual 24 Hour Songwriting Challenge (2016)
• Mint 400 Records Presents Nirvana In Utero (2017)

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Aboushaca, Jamila (23 January 2015), "Album Review: The Maravines "Distelfink"", Audiofemme, archived from the original on 23 January 2015
• Appio, Jim (30 January 2017), "New, Notable Noms From Mint 400 Records, Davey Jones, And Waiting On Mongo", CoolDad Music, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Carradini, Stephen (27 February 2015), "Fairmont's Tweaks To Their Indie-rock Sound Pay Off", Independent Clauses, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Cross, Alan (28 February 2014), "Songs You Must Hear", A Journal Of Musical Things, archived from the original on 14 August 2014
• Erickson, Brian (30 October 2017), "A Handful Of Sad Songs", You Don't Know Jersey, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Eversole, Joe (24 February 2014), "The Maravines (Album Review)", The Fire Note, archived from the original on 14 August 2014
• The Gettysburgian Staff (29 January 2015a), "WZBT's Top Songs And Albums Of The Week", The Gettysburgian, CXVI (2), p. 3, retrieved 6 December 2018
• The Gettysburgian Staff (26 February 2015b), "WZBT Top Songs And Albums", The Gettysburgian, CXVI (4), p. 3, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Landon, Zoe (30 January 2016), "The Maravines Distelfink", RCRDList, archived from the original on 30 January 2016
• Makin, Bob (7 September 2016), "Mint 400, Sniffling Indie Kids Present Rock Fest", The Aquarian Weekly, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Mehalick, Mike (12 September 2016), "Live Review: The North Jersey Indie Rock Festival", Speak Into My Good Eye, retrieved 6 February 2019
• Moore, Shannon (3 April 2015), "Mint 400 Records Presents 1967", The Pop Break, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Music Staff (27 January 2015), "Adds For January 27", WPTS, archived from the original on 30 January 2015
• ONE Staff (9 May 2016), "ONE At Rutgers Hosts Second Annual Global Goals Awareness Concert", ONE Campaign, retrieved 7 December 2018
• Pirate! Staff (6 April 2016), "The Maravines Sloan", Pirate!, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Sentinel Staff (7 June 2012), "Shore Bets" (PDF), Sentinel, Greater Media, p. 33, retrieved 7 December 2018
• Silverman, Hope (24 December 2014), "Maravines – Sweet Sixteen", Don't Need No Melody, archived from the original on 24 December 2015
• Testa, Jim (2014), "Transformed: A Tribute To Lou Reed (Mint 400 Records)", Jersey Beat, Not a Mongo, archived from the original on 3 November 2014
• Testa, Jim (25 October 2017), "A Night At The Pet Shop: Bands, Beer, Wine And An Exciting New Venue For N.J.", The Jersey Journal, retrieved 6 December 2018
• Rotolo, Chris (26 January 2015), "Stream The Maravines - Distelfink", Speak Into My Good Eye, archived from the original on 26 January 2015
• Wawrzyniak, Joe (2014), "The World According To Wawrzyniak", Jersey Beat, archived from the original on 14 August 2014

External links

• The Maravines discography at Discogs
• The Maravines on Bandcamp
• Lyrics of songs by this artist at MetroLyrics

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