Seventeen years in the local music scene in DuPage County, Illinois, Brandon Von Vacik has had his share of fronting Chicago-based bands, most notably Beneath the Blue and Dreaming in Stereo. Both became very popular in the area and received local airplay in the latter half of the last decade. Von Vacik has also gained ground as a solo acoustic act and frequents many local Chicago venues with his original work. His latest release Dream in Stereo came available this past summer.
Von Vacik describes his sound as “Chicago Style Americana” and prefers playing and recording songs just as they are – songwriter’s songs, if you will – and not to force an album’s direction by following a current popular trend. He explains Dream in Stereo is a culmination of the many years or learning, or rather relearning, how to play guitar and sing, after he had multiple head traumas from the falls he took (he suffers from a neurological condition that affects his heart). He recruited the help of fellow drummer Cameron Conyer and Jordan Popp on bass and acoustic guitar. Popp also helped Von Vacik mix and master the album. “City Lights” has a fresh, contemporary sound – a little indie, a little acoustic rock – mixing acoustic, piano and a solid beat inside a love song with thoughtful lyrics. “If We’re Gonna Go Down” sees a little more action on the acoustic and piano. At this point, I’m hearing a lot of influences: anything from John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, Matchbox 20 and even Jackson Browne – he goes back a few years for sure. “Safe (The Rain)” begins with a lighter sound with the acoustic upfront, accompanied by the piano and not drums, which I thought was a good choice. Overall, this is a great love song to take on the road while spending time reflecting on your life. “For My Daughters” feels like a good old-fashioned country waltz but with a modern sound. And with tender lyrics Brandon sings to his daughters. Love songs don’t get much better than this. On “Taking Chances” Von Vacik sings about that thing called “falling in love” and getting caught up in those euphoric feelings that one finds themselves in when love is new. “Symptom (Saints in Purgatory)” is the first single Brandon released back in May and he seems to be addressing his health condition here – “take me as I am / I’m a symptom, not a man.” He really writes some thoughtful and deeply vulnerable lyrics and worries that his condition may affect his love life. I thought the arrangement of instruments had a refined and intricate sound to them, which made me want to listen to this song again. The last song “Valentine” turns the rhythm distortion on, along with a cleaner, crisp guitar lead. Von Vacik sings “Girls like you are hard to find / Will you still be my valentine / If I promise to fix myself in time?” He gets straight to the point lyrically – although still doubting his acceptance from the woman his loves – and ends on a high note with this tight rocking tune. Make sure to take a listen to this EP.
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