Atlanta was very excited for the synth quartet S U R V I V E on Wednesday, October 26 at The EARL. The show was sold out and there were even bystanders in the venue hoping someone will show up with spare tickets.
S U R V I V E members Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon scored the Stranger Things soundtrack, and it’s evident that the band is experiencing the post-effect of the hit Netflix series. “We’ve never had sold out shows before,” Stein shared with OpenEars, fully aware that the TV show helped the band obtain greater attention to their albums and ticket sales. If you have seen the TV series, you probably know how the music scoring played a large role in setting the tone for the entire series – a strong reminiscent of the 80’s new wave, dark and an element of spooky. Stein shared the scoring process in which a lot were communicated with the production through phone calls. The production sends them the clips and the duo compose as they watch it. Although they’ve earned new fans through the soundtrack, the band built their own following over three albums released so far. Their latest album, RR7349 recently released in September under the metal label Relapse Records, capitalized on the show’s success, helping the band reach new heights.
S U R V I V E opened their sold out show with a track from Mnq206 called “Floating Cube” followed by more tracks from the album then transitioned to RR7349 with “Sorcerer.” While everything is still DIY for the band, it was a complete theatrical experience seeing the quartet play live. Mark Donica controls the light direction and smoke machine for the overall eerie experience. The EARL’s stage was filled with vintage synths and lights but you won’t miss the band as they switch on to multiple boards they have in front of them. It was an amazing experience to be at the show, as you tend to focus more to their sound rather than usual synth performers dancing around. As first timers in Atlanta, Stein took notice of the Southern hospitality, expressing hopes to come back in the future with a bigger production. The intro for the show title track “Stranger Things” was performed before their fan favorite track and final song for the night “Holographic Landscape” off their EP LLR002.
S U R V I V E is only going to continue to rise in the coming months, and with Season 2 of Stranger Things set to start filming next year, S U R V I V E is going to continue their ascent alongside one of today’s most revolutionary TV shows and soundtracks.
Check out Katrina Merto‘s photos of S U R V I V E at The EARL in Atlanta:
S U R V I V E’s setlist:
Floating Cube
Hourglass
Omniverse
Sorcerer
Parousia
Copter
Cutthroat
Swanky
Black Mollies
A.H.B.
Stranger Things
Holographic Landscape
Follow S U R V I V E:
Survive on Bandcamp // Survive on Facebook // Survive on Soundcloud // Survive on Instagram
Catch S U R V I V E on Tour Now:
Nov 3 Buffalo, NY Studio at Waiting Room
Nov 4 Pittsburgh, PA Spirit Lodge
Nov 5 Detroit, MI El Club
Nov 6 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Dec 18 Houston, TX Day For Night Festival
Dec 31 Dallas, TX It’ll Do
European Dates:
Feb 16 Paris, FR Babadoum
Feb 17 FR Generiq Festival
Feb 19 Bristol, UK The Fleece
Feb 20 Glasgow, UK The Art School
Feb 21 Manchester, UK Deaf Institute
Feb 22 London, UK Village Underground
Feb 24 Amsterdam, NL Bitterzoet
Feb 25 Berlin, DE Kantine am Berghain
