Tag: Crystal Cities

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crystal Cities Make Welcome Return With “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”

After a hiatus of almost a year, Crystal Cities are back with a bang. Their latest single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” is a big anthemic rock track that ticks all the boxes. In fact, it might just be the best thing they’ve ever released. It’s amazing to think when you realise just how close frontman Geoff Rana came to leaving the industry for good.

“I happened to be going through one of those ‘down’ moments where giving up music and writing songs seemed like the best option for moving forward with my life… Wild peaks of motivation followed by troughs of listlessness are simply part of the experience of being a creative person struggling to find some semblance of success in an ever-changing world… Ironically, it was when I was feeling at my lowest that I happened to sit down with my guitar and start strumming the opening chords for ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’,” he explained. “It was through this song that I found myself reuniting with why I write songs and why I love it so much. ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’ is about the experience of losing something or someone you once loved and then the joy you get from reconnecting with, or rediscovering that something or someone.”

This song is also the first featuring Crystal Cities’ newest member, drummer Neel Shukla who replaced Daniel Conte. Opening with “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”, this new Crystal Cities’ chapter seems pretty bright.

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

8th Time’s a Charm for Crystal Cities

I’m not saying that the number of singles is a definitive measure of an album’s quality, but when the eighth single you release from an album sounds as good as “Blood-soaked,” from Sydney band Crystal Cities’ sophomore effort Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight, you know it’s outstanding. I’m rarely a drums fan, but Daniel Conte’s work here is so noteworthy. And let’s just take a moment to appreciate those stellar vocals from Geoff Rana.

“‘Blood-soaked’ tells the tale of the power of the mind,” Geoff explained. “Although you get to choose the outcome, you are not always the winner. Reality is your prize, and is your creation, and that creation can be your greatest achievement or your biggest downfall. I’ve tried to convey this message through the loose narrative of a prizefighter from ancient Greece in a battle of epic proportions, hanging on for dear life.”

The quality of this album is a testament to the band’s commitment. They recorded their debut album, Under the Cold Light of the Moon, at Abbey Road Studios, and where do you go from there? If you’re Crystal Cities, you try something totally new. This time there was no iconic studio or producer. Instead, Geoff decided to learn all he could about the recording process. He applied the lessons he learned from YouTube and other free resources to recording the new material in a Sydney home studio. He was learning on the job, but I can’t imagine him doing better. World-renowned engineer Paul Lani, who’s worked with the likes of Prince and David Bowie, gave the songs a final spit polish before they were released in the world. Give them all a listen on your favourite streaming service.

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crystal Cities are Back With “Under the Cold Light of the Moon”

Two years ago Crystal Cities seemed to have it all. Their debut EP Who’s Gonna Save Us Now was released to widespread acclaim, the title track reached number one on the Triple J Unearthed charts within just a few days of its release, and it even earned some airplay on American college radio. Not bad for a recording made in a mate’s Sydney garage!

But then they seemed to fade from view. You’d be forgiven for thinking they got out of the music scene altogether. However, Crystal Cities haven’t been sitting idle. They took the time to create a full-length debut LP they could be proud of, at Abbey Road Studios no less, and they’re ready to share it with the world thanks to inking a global deal with Audio Network. Lead single and title track “Under the Cold Light of the Moon” is a great introduction to the album’s cool indie pop-rock sound.

“The song ‘Under the Cold Light of the Moon’ was inspired by the plight of young North Korean girl Yeonmi Park who escaped North Korea in search of freedom,” explained the band’s vocalist and guitarist Geoff Rana. “After watching her speech, I penned the lyrics, interpreting her story.”

Under the Cold Light of the Moon is available on all your favourite digital platforms.

Image used with permission from the Right Profile