You’re Among Friends is a band from Cleveland, Ohio. Tagged as
“casual rock” by Powerpopaholic, their music has been described as
having “rollicking blues at its core with a sugary coating of power pop”
by Cleveland Scene and as “a laid-back style of funky, blues-infused
folk rock” by Eclectic Music Lover. Although singer/guitarist/songwriter
Anthony Doran and bassist Kevin Trask have been the constant core of
each incarnation of the band, recent addition Mike Janowitz immediately
became an essential member as soon as he joined on drums.
Anthony and Kevin formed You’re Among Friends with drummer Chris
Tarka in January 2007. This original lineup hit the ground running by
playing a bunch of shows at venues like the Red Parrot, the Grog Shop,
the Hi-Fi, the Phantasy, the Symposium, Club 87, the Orange Street, Club
Khameleon, and Verlie’s Cafe. Vickie Verlie described the band as “a
pop trio — very ‘60s like, though the singer sounds like Elvis Costello.
I could hear the Beatles, Tommy James and the Shondells, the Faces, and
Tom Petty, but still in their own style. A band to watch.”
You’re Among Friends released their self-titled debut album on July
3, 2007. Cleveland Scene categorized the music as “bluesy powerpop.” The
opening track, “From Now On,” received some local radio airplay on
Inner Sanctum (92.3 K-ROCK) and Resident Rock (91.1 WRUW-FM).
“Koumbaros” earned Anthony some more Elvis Costello comparisons.
“Favourite” was called “top-drawer powerpop” by the Sweet Spot on
Stranger Radio. Anthony, Kevin and Chris played shows throughout the
summer to promote the album, including a CD release party at the Grog
Shop.
The group started working on their second record in early 2008.
Elements of rock ’n’ roll, power pop, blues, soul, funk, and jazz are
scattered throughout these songs. Chris drummed on most of the new
recordings before leaving the band that spring, but Sarah Luffred took
over on drums just in time to play on “Until the Next Girl Comes Along.”
The In Due Time EP was released on August 1, 2008.
Powerpopaholic called the band’s music “casual rock” for the first time
in a short blurb encouraging readers to check out the EP. “Until the
Next Girl Comes Along” has been played on Franklee Speaking and Indie
Pop Takeout. “Friends Like Me” and “Grandeur” have been played on the
Music Authority and Odyssey Radio. “Basement” has been used as the
closing song for many live sets over the years.
Anthony, Kevin and Sarah played shows at Club Khameleon, the Robin
Hood Inn, the Symposium, the Outpost, and the Phantasy. In July 2009,
Sarah was replaced by drummer Tony Randall. This new lineup played shows
at Roc Bar, Wilbert’s, and the Cove by the end of that summer. The
owner of Wilbert’s, Michael Miller, described the band’s music as “CLE
rock ’n’ roll that is reminiscent of Graham Parker.”
Anthony and Kevin briefly reunited with original drummer Chris Tarka
and added Ben Gilbert on saxophone in May 2010 to record a couple of new
songs. The Enjoy Life & Half a Thought single was released
on June 11, 2010. Cleveland Scene pointed out that both of the songs
seem to be “Elvis Costello-inspired.” “Enjoy Life” has received quite a
bit of radio airplay, while “Half a Thought” has become a lasting part
of the band’s live sets. Anthony, Kevin, Chris, and Ben played a show
together at the Symposium on New Year’s Day of 2011.
Throughout the summer and fall of 2011, Anthony and Kevin played some
acoustic shows with keyboardist Bryan Garvin at Red’s, Wilbert’s, Bela
Dubby, Bobby O’s, and the Rathskeller at Kent State University.
Anthony and Kevin were joined by drummer Adrian Higgins in the late
summer of 2015. Over the next few months, the band sprinkled some new
songs into their set lists when they played at venues like the Happy
Dog, the Euclid Tavern, Wilbert’s, and the Grog Shop. Anthony, Kevin and
Adrian recorded ten new songs throughout the first half of 2016. It was
clear right away that songs like “Years Go,” “Any Day Now,” “Building
Bridges to Burn,” and “The Opposite” would become indelible parts of the
YAF canon. “A Way to Get Away” and “Rope” have both been used to close
the band’s live sets. Early on in the mixing process that June, it was
announced that the band was parting ways with Adrian. Drummer Chris
Szuch joined the band just in time to play at the CD release party at
the Euclid Tavern.
As We Watch the Years Go… was released on July 31, 2016.
Cleveland Scene claimed that these songs “reveal a simple truth about
You’re Among Friends: they just enjoy playing music, and want nothing
more than for you to sit back and relax.” Eclectic Music Lover called
this “a fun and mellow album that makes you think a little bit about
life in all its craziness as you’re enjoying the music,” and he went on
to say that he hears “touches of Steely Dan, Elvis Costello and The
Grateful Dead in their sound, and Anthony’s vocals really channel Randy
Newman at times.” Small Albums said that the album reminded them of
“sprinklers watering the grass on a warm summer morning when you first
wake up.” Divide and Conquer said that the album “exemplifies the
mastery that You’re Among Friends has accumulated and hones in their
many years in the business of creating entertaining and meaningful
music.”
In January 2017, Cleveland Scene featured You’re Among Friends as
their ‘Band of the Week’ as the group celebrated their tenth anniversary
by playing at Wilbert’s. A couple of weeks later, CBS Cleveland
mentioned the band in their ‘The Best Places to See Indie Rock in
Cleveland’ piece by saying “on an average night, Wilbert’s hosts sublime
indie groups like You’re Among Friends.” After a few more shows that
spring at the Beachland Tavern, the Happy Dog, and the Grog Shop, the
band was headed for yet another lineup change. Anthony and Kevin played
shows as an acoustic duo at the Winchester and Now That’s Class that
June to try to keep the momentum going.
In the summer of 2017, Frank Mirabelli became the next drummer to
come through the group. Anthony, Kevin and Frank recorded four new songs
together in July, and they went on to play a show at the Beachland
Tavern in August.
One Day You’ll Look Back was released on November 28, 2017.
Indientry said that the EP is “chock-full of power-pop disguised as
bluesy rock,” adding that it “is nothing if not funky” and that “the
bluesy sound is effortlessly cool.” Eclectic Music Lover called it “a
nice little EP featuring songs with simple melodies and compelling
lyrics that make for a highly pleasurable listen” and said that it
“delivers the kind of honest, relatable songs about life and
relationships the band does so very well.” Powerpopaholic mentioned that
the band sounds “a little bit like a really loose version of Steely
Dan” and that “the jazzy ‘I’m Happier Now’ and funky wah-wah chords on
‘Back To Work Tomorrow’ are worth exploring.” Franklee Speaking on 93.3
CFMU has played “I’m Happier Now” and “You Lost Interest First.” While
playing most of the EP on his show, Joe Wright from Northern Pirate
Radio remarked that “‘Back to Work Tomorrow’ is probably my favorite off
of the new EP because I love the way the guitar sounds. It sounds very
psychedelic ’60s, bellbottom-y, kind of hippie style – like there should
be lava lamps all around me and whatnot!” The 1001 Records for Music
Lovers blog included One Day You’ll Look Back on their ‘Best
Records of December 2017’ and ‘Best Records of 2017’ lists, and they
featured “I’m Happier Now” as part of their ‘Song of the Day’ series.
According to Divide and Conquer, “this EP was short, fun and an easy but
delightful listen. Recommended.” Bucketlist Music Reviews kicked off
their review of the EP with the line “if there’s such a thing as a punk
rock Randy Newman, I think this is it,” and they went on to say that “One Day You’ll Look Back certainly
lives up to the power-pop name; this thing is seriously catchy. I can’t
count the number of times the chorus of ‘I’m Happier Now’ has gone
through my head today.” Best Song Day featured “I’m Happier Now” on
their blog, and Review Rhino called it a “catchy tune with a NYC ’60s
pop soul feel that will make you move.”
At the beginning of January 2020, Mike Janowitz became the band’s new
drummer. Anthony, Kevin and Mike started working on a new album during
their first afternoon together. All three members felt that the music
flowed very naturally and organically during their weekly sessions. The
stay-at-home orders issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that
spring didn’t interrupt the recording process too much since Anthony
needed time to overdub his guitars and vocals anyway. When Anthony
finished his tracks, he sent all of the files to Kevin for mixing.
Start Making Sense was released on May 8, 2020. In a review
posted on the release date, Cleveland Scene said “the album begins with
the punchy ‘Trying to Take It All In,’ a track that draws from the
Grateful Dead’s poppier side (think ‘Touch of Grey’). Another highlight,
the quirky ‘Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube,’ features lurching
guitars and off-kilter tempo changes. ‘Hills You’re Willing to Die On,’ a
song that begins with a thick bass riff, offers a change of pace as it
has a jazzy feel, albeit with sneering vocals.” Eclectic Music Lover
said “with Start Making Sense, You’re Among Friends have
delivered yet another thoughtful and pleasing album for us to enjoy. As
their name implies, it’s like the return of an old friend with whom
we’re able to pick right back up from where we left off. And that, my
friends, is a mighty good thing indeed. That comforting low-key vibe,
combined with their thoughtful, down-to-earth lyrics about this crazy
thing we call life, has a way of making me feel that everything’s gonna
be alright. And boy, we can all use more of that right now!”
CoolCleveland said that Start Making Sense is “a nine-track
disc of relaxed folky pop tunes with an early ’70s vibe and even a faint
hint of country/Southern rock,” going on to say that “the colloquial
titles, such as ‘Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube,’ ‘Why Do I
Dwell On Things?’ and ‘String a Few Nice Words Together,’ capture the
unforced vibe of tunes that feel like they emerged, appropriately, from
late-night conversations among friends.” Poprock Record said “I love the
jazzy swing on ‘Waiting for Life to Start Making Sense,’ definitely a
bit of early Elvis Costello-vibing here, and the groove anchoring ‘Once
the Toothpaste is Out of its Tube.’” Powerpopaholic said that the album
“plays out like a fun jam in someone’s basement studio. Love the funk
melody on ‘Once the Toothpaste is Out of Its Tube.’ More terrific casual
rock like ‘Just Keep Being Nice’ makes this a great album to chill
with.” The Music Files (UK) called You’re Among Friends “the ultimate
feel-good band that will automatically leave you in high spirits after
the first listen,” going on to say that ‘Once the Toothpaste Is Out of
Its Tube’ has a “sweet blend of soulful melodies carried on throughout.
With the catchy drum beat, infectious bass line and upbeat guitar hooks,
listeners will be hooked from the get-go. We recommend you listen to
this track after a long day – within minutes you’ll be up dancing your
worries away!”
Several songs from Start Making Sense have received podcast
and radio airplay on Power Pop Overdose, Ice Cream Man Power Pop and
More, Indie Pop Takeout, Garagerocktopia, Cobwebs and Strange,
Blues-ish, Psychedelic Jukebox, the Rockin’ Blues Show, NWR Live with
Mitch and Mark, Radio TFSC, Lone Frequencies, J.A.M. Radio, Indie Radio
YFM, Pluto Radio, Odyssey Radio, Willow Haven, Mad Wasp Radio, Banks
Radio Australia, Steve Garnett’s New Music Radio Show on Revival Radio,
Rockin’ the KOR, Radio Candy, the Music Authority, and Northern Pirate
Radio. “Why Do I Dwell On Things?” has been featured on the Radio Indie
Alliance weekly Top 40 list. “Why Do I Dwell On Things?” and “On Again,
Off Again” have both been featured on the Radio TFSC daily Top 24 list.
Banks Radio Australia included “Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube”
on their daily Top 10 Tracks list.
Anthony, Kevin and Mike recorded ten new songs together during the last few months of 2021. Good Enough Sometimes was released on January 10, 2022!
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