Unsung Melody - Falling Still joins us on UMtv.

I got to shoot the breeze with Falling Still at Hemingway’s Lounge on Hollywood Boulevard at the end of February. I was happy the band made time to talk with me on the evening of their album release party. The party wrapped up the band’s four week residency at Hemingway’s.

This club is a real gem and a very unexpected venue for a rock band. For those of you who are not that familiar with “Hollywood proper”, it’s still more sleazy than glamorous (on the outside.) That said, the sleazy is out on the streets. The hidden beauty of “the boulevard” is that many of the building interiors are architectural wonders. As you pass marijuana clinics, Frederick’s of Hollywood Lingerie and assorted tacky gift shops, there are a few remarkable clubs, indoors. Hemingway’s is one of these places. The main room is decorated like the study of the club’s literary namesake, filled floor to ceiling with books, and appointed with plush overstuffed furnishings and grand carved woods. The outer room is something out of a 1930’s speakeasy, luscious and posh, while the ambiance overall is very dark, keeping the vintage atmosphere.

The dark is where I started to have a problem. I arrived shortly before the time I had scheduled with the band, and they were ready to get started right away. Unlike other clubs, there were no well-lit areas for me to do my video interview. Falling Still – Eric Podnar (vocals / guitar), Brett Hamilton (bass / vocals), and Jeremy Cull (drums) were all very nice and patient while I secured a place. We ended up outside the club, dodging the passers-by on Hollywood Boulevard, trying to make an interview happen.

The band members are all super nice and easy to talk to. I am still surprised they weren’t too preoccupied with the album release to chat with me. I knew all their friends would be there so I was really aware of the fact that I was taking up time on a really important night for them. They seemed very happy to talk and I think the video came out well.

Enjoy the Falling Still interview below:

Back inside the intimate club, there were a couple of opening bands. The bands were fun to listen to and it was generally nice just to be out in such a cool place enjoying music. Falling Still remained in or around the room all evening, talking to friends, the other bands and just chillin’. You could tell they were having a great night. For the opening acts, the room remained very dim. Even darker than some of the Sunset Strip clubs. Hemingway’s Lounge isn’t primarily a music venue. They host bands there only one night a week and have put little or no thought into any production quality for the bands who play there. Aside from photography, it’s not really an issue. The club has a very nice feel to it the way it is.

The band brought out a bunch of loyal friends and fans. The room was full, but never uncomfortably so. When Falling Still was ready to play, they took a while to set up. They came prepared with their own light show and a couple of props; These incredible light boxes that illuminate the band during their set. Along with the light boxes, the band had some abstract video projected over them as they played. It made for a very psychedelic vibe. Falling Still’s brand of rock has some psychedelic undertones, but not in an oppressive heavy “bad-acid” kind of way. Their feel is more of a light dream-like state where warm happy things go on. The slightly dizzying swirl of abstract projection, combined with the band’s music created it’s own meta-dream. The band rocks while also having an easy and accessible feel. They played what seemed like an unreasonably short set, with a set list comprised of their previous library of tunes along with songs from the newly released self-titled EP. After the band played and hurried to unload their equipment, they hung out with friends and partied. They had just as much fun as the crowd did.

Long-time band mates and friends Podnar, Hamilton, and Cull have found a musical niche together that is entertaining and fun. Their live show is especially fun to witness, beyond the light show. Their classic, yet fresh sound is radio-ready and will probably make it to a radio station near you soon. But don’t wait for that; Check them out and see what you think for yourself. You can start by getting to know the band in my little interview. I hope you enjoy your journey discovering Falling Still.

Keep up with Falling Still below:
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Check out their video for If U Stay below: