Stone Fella - Stone Fella

Stone Fella

Stone Fella
self-released; 2017

3.6 out of 5

By Dom Eagle

Stone Fella is an indie band based in Barcelona, Spain. The band consists of lead guitarist Rick Alon, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Toni Pons, and bass player Dani Hernandez. Rick Alon and Toni Pons first met in Barcelona, sharing a classroom as they were both interested in the recording arts. Shortly later as Alon was playing in a band, he invited Poni to play the bass guitar. Pons agreed and started playing with them. Months later when that band dissolved Alon  and Pons decided to start a new and fresh band where playing, writing songs and breaking the bounds set by the old formation would be the core of the band, and what’s most important to embrace the artistic freedom that these guys needed to start calling themselves Stone Fella. After a few months Alon met Dani Hernandez in an improvisation session at the school and Rick invited him to join the band and be the new bass player.

​Their self-titled EP Stone Fella opens with “Walk Around.” Two Door Cinema-esque lead guitar twinkles in a high-pitched arpeggio atop a punchy, fast-paced beat and strums of electrifying and melodic chords. The vocals have that classic slurred by soothing indie rock feel made popular by bands such as The Strokes, but Stone Fella adds its own spin on a popular genre. There’s a soothing and gentle feel to their music which really brings out the melody over the noise of the tracks. This is a refreshing take on indie rock, and I particularly enjoyed the mellow synthetic arpeggios, surf-esque lead guitar and gentle, harmonizing vocals. Yet, at the same time, it’s a danceable, fast-paced track that I’m sure goes down a real treat live.

“Hear Me Say” delves deeper into the melodic, soothing and ballad-esque sensibilities of Stone Fella. A calming acoustic guitar progression strums its merry way atop a slow, soft and restrained drum beat which keeps the song concise and structured without trying to drown out any of the musical goodness this song boasts. It’s rare to find a drummer who adds just the right amount of flavor to a song without being too overbearing with fills and unnecessary noise. All in all, “Hear Me Say” is sadly a short song, but a soothing moment of respite.

“Egg” delves further still into the electronic, spacey and melodic monster hiding beneath the surface of Stone Fella’s indie rock exterior. Punchy drumming once again manages to create a danceable vibe with the occasional dose of fills without being unnecessarily loud or frustrating. It’s incredibly satisfying, and it’s a style reminiscent of Phil Selway (Radiohead’s drummer). Again, this is a short track but a sweet one. The jazzy vibes brought on in the closing minute with a bouncy, vibrant bass rhythm and sizzling trumpets manages to, yet again, be upbeat and exciting yet calming and soothing.

‘Rocket Fuel’ returns to the more straightforward indie style with which Stone Fella opened, and it reminds me of some of Bombay Bicycle Club’s earlier work - the difference being, yet again, that Stone Fella have added their trippy and soothing flavor to the mix. Muted, delicate electric guitar strumming along with harmonizing, melodic vocals create a really calming vibe. The bass rhythm is soothing and the drumming, yet again, is punchy but restrained.

All in all, this is one of my favorite indie listens on a personal level in a long time. I’d urge any fan of indie rock and trippy, melodic music to gives this a listen.

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