#norastone

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Luke Ladlee of the band NoraStone performing at The Trash Bar in Brooklyn, NY.

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UM Review: Norastone -"Sounds Through The Hourglass"

Norastone - Sounds Through The Hourglass Record Label: Self Released Release Date: October 15th, 2013 Reviewed by: Elissa Liong, Edited by: Amandah Opoku

An “hourglass” represents the amount of time that sand takes to pass through within an hour. A symbolic symbol that is seen on Norastone’s EP “Sounds Through The Hourglass.” It’s been exactly one year since the band’s last release, and on this EP the band does not disappoint. The EP proves to be raw and powerful, showing resemblance to a timeless hourglass.

The EP opens up with “Leper For Hire” which is one of two stand out tracks on the EP. The chord progressions of the guitar produce a catchy melody as Luke Ladlee’s voice is captivating against the melody. Similarly, “I’m Just A Ghost” showcases Ladlee’s unique vocal tone and ability, as well as showcases the band’s overall musical ability. What’s most beautiful about the track is the personal and emotional level that it brings as the lyrics discuss dealing with certain life hardships, something that every person a fan of NoraStone or not can relate to.

Rating: 4/5 The EP overall is a strong release from NoraStone and a great follow up to 2012’s “Hopeless Lives & Lullabies.” As each song carries their own distinct personality, two songs are not the same but merely different as each one has it’s own voice and it’s own story. As a first time listener and a new found fan of NoraStone, the album proves to be what is lost in the music industry today: hope. The message of hope is apparent as NoraStone is successful in creating music in the rock/metal genre which many feel is failing as nothing feels genuine anymore

Keep up to date with NoraStone on the following websites: https://www.facebook.com/NoraStoneband https://twitter.com/norastoneband

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UM Interview: NoraStone

NoraStone our Artist of The Week, will be released their EP "Sounds Through The Hourglass" today! We caught up with the band to talk about the band's history, the new EP and their plans for the rest of the year!

Check out NoraStone on the following websites: https://www.facebook.com/NoraStoneband https://twitter.com/norastoneband

By: Amandah Opoku and Elissa Liong

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NoraStone Talk About Studio Process Behind "Sounds Through The Hourglass"

NoraStone is our Artist Of The Week. The band, took the time to talk about what went into making “Sounds Through The Hourglass.”

Going into the studio to record “Sounds Through The Hourglass” was a really bonding experience for us. We had written most of the EP by December of 2012 and were just playing the songs out live and refining them for when we were set to record. We didn’t wanna rush out new material because we had just dropped our first EP and wanted to support it. In February of this year we began pre-production and started to prepare ourselves for another fall release.

We were fortunate enough to get contacted by StandBy Records and they offered one of their studios and the amazing Don Debiase Jr to help produce the new EP. We packed up and headed to Cleveland, Ohio in June and started recording. It was a beautiful studio. It had a full kitchen, furnished sleeping quarters, personal theater, ect. It was awesome because it helped create a very comfortable and calming atmosphere for recording.

It was great because as band members we worked so well together and were all super supportive of each other. No matter whose day it was for recording, we all made our efforts to sit in and be there for everybody during tracking. It was a great experience and one that help transcend into the record.

We began the record with tracking drums and then layered it like a sweet ass cake with bass, guitars, and then finally vocals. We wanted to create a very raw, unique sound and not fall into the super digital, cheesy modern metal sound a lot of bands have today. We used real amps and real effects throughout to create a more warm and genuine tone. Working with Don was a really great experience because he understood that and had a great ear for our sound. He helped us achieve exactly what we wanted for “Sounds Through The Hourglass” and we couldn’t be happier.

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UM Track-By-Track : : NoraStone -‘Sounds Through The Hourglass’

Our Artist of The Week, NoraStone a Metal/Rock band from New York released their EP ‘Sounds Through The Hourglass’ on iTunes today. The band was kind enough to write a Track-By-Track of the album for UMusicians. Read the Track-By-Track below!

Leper For Hire It’s basically about all the fake people we encounter in our lives. Personally and professionally, the type of people that will do anything to stay relevant or popular. People that will change completely just to try and turn a buck, or think they’re with the in crowd. Whether it’s a band whose members now think they’re DJ’s, to dudes turning jersey shore fake ghetto. It’s about calling out the fake fuckers.

I’m Just A Ghost This song is about when I made one of my first attempts to stay sober. The moment when u look at the whole situation from the outside and see everything your fucking up around you. You basically become a shell of what you once were. The friends lost, relationships broken, all the shit that comes with abusing substances

Dying In Style It’s a statement on the lifestyle we live now. We’re trying to survive and make it in this whole metal/rock scene. We’re putting our lives in our own hands and doing whatever the fuck we want with it until we can’t anymore. And we’re doing it our way, no matter what anybody thinks, say, or does.

Panophobia This is a very intimate song for me. It’s about trying to stay clean and that fear of failing again. That heavy somber feeling of breaking sobriety and feeling like everything you did was for nothing, just for a temporary fix. It dives into that feeling of worthlessness you feel in that moment, and trying to build yourself back up again. Building yourself up stronger so you don’t have to fear letting yourself go again

Sirens Vs. Sins It’s about the rebirth of ones self. The cleansing of everything you’ve done and becoming new again. Freeing yourself of all the wrong or right you may have committed and starting anew. There’s just so much beauty in that. It’s such a uplifting state of mind and a great song to end the EP with

Hope you enjoyed the track by track! Check out NoraStone on the following websites: https://www.facebook.com/NoraStoneband https://twitter.com/norastoneband

[umusicians]

Artist Of The Week: NoraStone

[umusicians]

NoraStone Launch EP Pre-Orders, Reveal Artwork and Track List

NoraStone have launched pre-orders for their EP “Sounds Through The Hourglass” which will will be released on October 15. Pre-order the album via iTunes. Check out the EP’s artwork and track list below!

Leper For Hire I'm Just A Ghost Dying In Style Panophobia Sirens vs. Sins

[umusicians]

NoraStone Announce EP Release & Pre-Order Date, Reveal EP Artwork

NoraStone have announced pre-orders for their EP “Sounds Through The Hourglass” will begin on September 17th. The EP will be released on October 15. Check out the EP’s artwork below!