OC Music Magazine

Kellie Stekol

When the first radio station broadcast in 1920, it immediately caught fire. People all over the country wanted to tune into what would soon become the major form, before television, for popular music to be heard. These days, the possibilities are endless. If there ever was such thing as a generation with too many options, we are living it day to day. For all the radio play, all the emerging bands that new forms of communication through the internet provide, musicians should indeed feel threatened. The days of making music that is honest, soulful and yet can be deemed popular by the public, seem to be dead and dying. Present this dilemma to the band, Coralwind, and they don’t bat an eye.

Though we have only known each other for a few moments, there is a certain level of familiarity that permeates the circle we’ve coincidentally formed. The five piece band is made up of Dominick Digiacomo on vocals, Scott Wright on lead guitar, Yosef Qadeer on rhythm guitar, Carson Walsh on bass, and Adam English on drums. “We’re really just fun-loving guys,” an apparently eager Wright blurts out as the band is still getting acclimated to the interview spot they’ve chosen.  All of the boys set aside their phones and other gadgets so as to give the appearance that they will be taking the next forty-five minutes of their lives completely seriously.

Yet, with all the technology that has been made readily available, it’s a wonder anyone can stay focused for an allotted amount of time. I pose the question, what’s the difference between the bands you listened to growing up and the ones that are coming out today? They all sit up a little straighter and I can only imagine what sort of answers and arguments are brewing. The quick-witted Walsh responds promptly with, “MySpace and Facebook blew everything up; anyone can be heard. It’s like when Modest Mouse became popular, yet had made four albums prior to their so-called success. Any idiot with a computer could have access to their stuff.” As the conversation develops, Qadeer brings up a valuable point that I had been waiting the entire time to hear, “I like music with meaning; stuff you can get lost in. Lyrics need to convey something, that’s what they’re there for.” With comments like these, it’s no wonder Coralwind’s music has been such a success among their peers.

    September was a big month for the band, as they have recently played their first show at a local venue in Newport, Hogue Barmichaels. Much to their surprise they sold over fifty tickets collectively as well as ticketholders who brought their friends along with them. In addition, they have been in and out of the studio recording songs for what will be there debut album. “The goal is to record as much as possible. We want to get as many songs down as we can and then be able to pick and choose what we want and what doesn’t fit as well as another track. We don’t want to limit ourselves,” Qadeer points out.

The recording process and putting together songs piece by piece can be a stressful one, but for these boys, it’s all another opportunity to do what they love and spend time with close friends. “That’s sorta how we got started with all this [motions to the rest of the band]. Yosef would get a litle guitar riff going, bring it to Dom[inick] and they’d arrange the melodies for songs.” The other members chime in all at once telling stories of how it began as sort of a messy process and ended up being, essentially, a jam session. Qadeer adds, “We’d been trying to put a band together seriously for, like, two or three years. I finally went to Carson and was like, dude, we’ve gotta all play.” From there, progress with the band has made them a definite part of the local Orange County music scene.

Along with their recent and unexpected success in their community, the band has become more familiar with its fans. At their most recent show, Walsh was bombarded by proverbial pats on the back and critiques of his show. Unfortunately, not all understand the point Coralwind is trying to make by writing their own songs, arranging their own melodies, and coming into their own. “We’re not really concerned with sounding like or playing like anyone,” Walsh offers up. “When someone comes up to me and is like, ‘Hey you guys sound like Brand New!’ I’m like, fuck off. Our goal isn’t to sound like anyone that’s popular. Brand New is Brand New; we’re trying to make a name for ourselves and create our own sound.” Coralwind has, without a doubt, done just that.
If you haven’t listened to their music yet, fear not, another opportunity will present itself October 16th at Anaheim’s finest, Chain Reaction. Along with a warm crowd of familiar faces, you’re sure to not be disappointed. Their song “Twine” illustrates to a tee, the lost art of music with feeling, and, combined with a hard rock melody, Digiacomo delivers the lyrics perfectly: “Sometimes it gets hard to explain. So the words I can’t say, I just sing.” These words have stuck with me long after leaving these boys. Isn’t that what music was created for? After all, where words fail, music speaks.

Image Credit: MySpace

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