Redlight Cinema's story sounds more like a fictional film than a genuine musical journey. This story led three talented boys from a pristine, disconnected community in Upstate New York into the dirty and mystical streets of Manhattan where they have honed their sound. From their melodic pop melodies to their unpredictable rock changes the "RLC" trio could not be any better if they tried. Lead singer and songwriter Kevin Andreas' emotion filled, pitch perfect voice is slightly reminiscent of Adam Levine of "Maroon Five" and his mind-bending "Hendrix" inspired guitar skills are the center of Redlight Cinema's sound. Rounding out the group, Kevin is accompanied by his brilliant younger brother Kyle on the drums and equally accomplished, calm and always cool, Dan Parra on bass. Kyle and Dan follow their fearless leader as if they are reading his mind, and after so many years playing together they may well be.
Kevin and Kyle were raised in a strict religious household where mainstream music was not allowed. Kevin remembers a punishment when he was thirteen years old that would change both of the boys lives forever. "My punishment was to sit on the landing of these stairs for six months. I was even forced to sit there alone and have my meals. When I knew that no one was paying attention, I would run to the top of the stairs above the landing where there was an old guitar that had three strings. I barely knew any music but by this time I had heard the song 'White Room'. I would try to figure it out in order to amuse myself. I started hearing more music from kids in Jr. High School. At this point, I already knew that this is what I would do with the rest of my life." Their mother left home around the same time the boys seriously began to play. The brothers learned to find solace in a place where they would not be let down. This place was in their music.
The Andreas' began to gig in bars when Kyle was only thirteen years old. They soon met their musical soul mate Dan (when he was fifteen) and the three instantly clicked. This may explain why Redlight Cinema's live performances are such an exhilarating experience. In an age where many bands play songs exactly as they do on their CD's and you end up missing the absence of auto-tune, "RLC" has come to save the day. Their sets are energetic and heartfelt, and they tend to "open things up", making each performance special. "We blend pop music with anything from Blues to Gypsy Jazz," says Kevin. "The most important thing for us to do is express our music to people in a way that they can dance, sing along to, and somehow relate them to their own lives."
Kevin's songs are influenced by his love of legends such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. When asked about the secret of spurring his songwriting creativity, Kevin says, "Great songs tend to write themselves. I don't think I've really actually gotten anything great by saying, 'Okay, I'm going to write a song now!' Kyle and I had a pretty rough childhood, so that coupled with the craziness that comes along with finding your way and place in New York City are the prime sources of inspiration for the record. There are a few tunes on there about love and things like that, but more so about things falling apart around you when all you want is love. There's no real secret. Honesty. That's what turns people on. If it hurts, and it's real, people relate."
Redlight Cinema is poised and ready to conquer the world music scene. When asked what else it was they would be doing if not pursuing careers in music, Kevin says, "That's not really an option for any of us. Music is what we live every day. We don't have day jobs. Everything that we do has to do with playing, writing, teaching, recording, and performing music. This band and our music is my entire life."
Instrumentation
Kevin Andreas – Guitar, Lead Vox
Kyle Andreas – Drums
Daniel Parra – Bass
Website
Discography
Redlight Cinema (2010)
Popularity: 5% [?]
