Get To Know: Yourself and the Air
Catch a breath of fresh air with one of Illinois’ finest.
“Get to Know” has returned, and what better way to make a comeback than to sample some of the local Chicago flavor? The five-piece band Yourself and the Air started in the suburbs of Chicago, and have exploded onto the Chicago music scene with their refreshing sound. Lead singer Erick Crosby started Yourself and the Air in 2006 during his time at the College of DuPage in Illinois. It was hard for Crosby to believe that studying music was the correct way to pursue it, so he left school to start writing songs privately with the rest of the band. The road, as usual, wasn’t an easy one to travel; but the band powered forth playing shows locally and building a reputation. Yourself and the Air, in the two years of existence, have toured through twenty-eight states and recorded two EPs, Cold Outside Brings Heavy Thoughts to Think and Hola Mi Ciela!. After headlining at the Metro this past August, Yourself and the Air hit the studio to record their new EP, a culmination of the hard work and newfound success they had found.
Friend of All Breeds, due out December 21, surprises with a mature sound by a young band. Every track off the five-song EP is a leap forward as a whole. Both of their previous albums are fantastic, but Friend of All Breeds transcends both of them. “All the Ways” is a mysterious little number with dreamy guitars and a sharp drum beat by Drew Rasmussen, and Crosby’s songwriting has not suffered due to dropping out of school. It actually might be better because of it. There’s nothing unschooled about his method throughout Friend of All Breeds, and all the members’ performances are precise. Friend of All Breeds is a labor of passion above all else, and a signal of great things for Yourself and the Air.
“So You’ve Come to Mingle” is a personal favorite from Friend of All Breeds. Whether it’s the soft chimes or the deep sound of Rasmussen’s drums; “So You’ve Come to Mingle” is a heartwarming track that immediately garners attention without being showy. Yourself and the Air currently has Midwest shows scheduled, but keep checking up on them for tour updates.
Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Dec 10, 2008 @ 7:00 am