BY PAMELA FOOHEY
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The Record hasn’t published an album review in a very long time, so what better way to begin again than with an album released by an independent musician on the artist’s own record label and referred to the Record by a member of the Harvard Law community.
With the advent of iTunes and music on Amazon.com, the music industry has become much more independent artist friendly. The Record is pleased to be able to help support independent artists, especially ones with ties to HLS.
The Local Tourists is a rock duo that indeed does have HLS connections. Lead singers, guitarists, and pianists Brendan O’Malley and Kent Schauble will be joined by William Stephens, HLS ’04, on drums as they promote their debut album on the East Coast. Stephens was part of a band called Mr. Sparkle with several other HLS students during his time at HLS, which just goes to show that more awaits HLS students than their legal careers following graduation. O’Malley also joined clinical professor Robert Bordone and Stephens on a trip to Moscow last summer where they put on a fundraiser show for United Way Moscow.
At the fundraiser, they also sold seats to Bordone’s two-day negotiations workshop, further evidencing that life after HLS can be diverse and interesting.
The Local Tourists’ debut album, Happy Birthday, Kyle, offers an enjoyable mix of ballads and more upbeat tracks with addictive lyrics that invite signing and dancing along. Their sound is a combination of rock and pop, with acoustic and classical guitar, and a hint of a folk influence.
What emerges is an intriguing sound that is refreshing and unique. In short, Happy Birthday, Kyle is delightful.
Happy Birthday, Kyle is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.