With a name inspired by Narnia and holding (a recently down-sized) three members fluent in an array of musical dialects, After Edmund demands a certain curiosity. Since their debut in 2008 with the album ‘Hello’, they’ve found themselves faced with a Grammy nomination (the band’s debut release, Hello was honored in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category in 09) Dove Award nomination and have shared stage with Linkin Park: a pretty impressive trail for any upcomig band. In the anticipation of their upcoming album alongside a steadily swelling fan-base, it’ll be worth keeping your eyes peeled and your ears open when these guys are around.
Combining pulse-pounding rhythm and foot-tapping riffs with melodies that catch like fire in a forest, their sound is designed to reel you in before you can stop to blink – and the design works like a charm. Before you know it, you’re caught on the hook and whether you like it or not, that chorus is going to be swimming ‘round your mind for quite some time. From the semi-psychedelic sounds of ‘Birds’ (from the album ‘Spaceships and Submarines’) to the more lashing tones of ‘Fighting For Your Heart’’ (‘Hello’) there’s songs to suit a flock of moods, with some surprising lyrical depth; and while they may not be to everyone’s tastes, there’s certainly enough variety to get your teeth into, and it’s all melodic enough to make you tip-tap along, at least.
Alongside their studio success, the band has succeeding in crafting a world of their own with their energetic live shows. From bearing their souls in mellow, heartfelt performances, to stepping up the game with frantic instrumental juggling – they grasp firm control of the venue’s mood and are able to flip it on its head in an instant, leaving their fans swooning with emotional overload. Each member is perfectly in tune to all instruments on stage, and it’s not a rarity for them to rapidly interchange instruments in their most dynamic jam sessions. It’s easy to see that After Edmund has absolute passion for their music, and a refreshing, sincere appreciation of their ever-growing fan base – crafting bonds with none of the over-riding ego many musicians choose to bask in. This alone makes them worthy of the success they’ve encountered, and to possess bucket-loads of talent on top, it’s hardly surprising that their name is drifting beyond borders.
Their latest single release ‘Dance Like You’re From the Future’ has the bonus of a visual accompaniment. Combining the artistic pleasures of light graffiti with some downright quirky costume changes (a spaceman, a cowboy and what seems to be a redneck to name but three), a light-hearted treat for the eyes has been born. The video shows the band strutting robotically through some out-of-this-world scenarios, including a high-speed space ship battle, a Western shoot-out and some good old-fashioned fisticuffs, rounded off by a dance-off to remember – all of this set to a futuristic pop sound, the lingering feeling is one of pure, untainted fun.
Upon lyrical inspection, things really seem to piece together. Amongst the cheerful over-tones lies a certain heart-felt depth. It’s not all about space wars and banter – it’s about defeating your demons and moving on. Forgetting the past, and leaping into the future with a smile, brought from thought to image in the form of beating up some angry-faced box-heads. Some people seek therapy, others lose themselves in drugs; these guys dance like they’re from the future. To quote the men themselves; “Life’s too short to be emo “ – I say damn straight. There’s no harm in conjuring a smile, and these guys do so in abundance. If it’s tears and trauma you’re looking for, you won’t find it here – it’s good times all ‘round. The band resound frequently that they are ‘from the future’, and if this video’s anything to go by, it’s going to be a merry one.
After Edmund bring a breath of fresh air to the mainstream music of today – a little bubble of happiness, and with all that they’ve achieved already, it’ll be a jaunty journey to see how they grow and evolve in the face of the fame that is sure to come their way. I, for one, wish them every ounce of luck in their ventures.
To keep up-to-date with the band, visit their Facebook page,
Or take a peek at their Myspace: myspace.com/afteredmund
(Alisha Riley)