Hometown Favorite Maritime Smiles Big

Hometown Favorite Maritime Smiles Big

After releasing one of the most beloved records of 2006 ( We, the Vehicles), Maritime had some pressure and early hype with Heresy and the Hotel Choir, their third full-length release.

"When you work for a long time on something, validation is always pretty exciting. However, you know that the validation will be balanced by the negative. It's natural," explains guitar player & vocalist Davey von Bohlen.

The album charges out of the gate with "Guns of Navarone," an upbeat and fun number that will have just about anyone tapping their toes and dancing. In fact, there are quite a few songs that naturally make you tap your toes. "Guns of Navarone" transitions into "Holes For Thumb-Sized Birds," which features a marching snare-style beat. It's something new and different, which for the first time, Maritime could comfortably write. Second guitarist Dan Hinz and bassist Justin Klug (formerly of Decibully), permanently joined the outfit this time around.

Heresy is a band record, made by a band in the organic environment of a small music space. The interaction is so different in
this venue, that it feels almost like a different thing altogether." One song that could easily be a single, is "For Science Fiction." It starts out with a catchy drum and distorted bass riff that will get the crowd moving.

Justin and Dan really round out the band on "Hours That You Keep" allowing Davey to pull some amazing guitar parts. One song that has a fun feel to it, is "Be Unhappy". Even with a sad title, the song is makes you smile and sing along.

So what does Davey, Justin and drummer Dan Didier do on tour with their Maritime children?

"It has everything to do with how, where, when and why we do it. We try to balance the lives of our families and that of the group as well as we can".

One can only imagine how tough it can be touring and promoting a new album. A band wants to get their new music out to the masses and further their fanbase.

So what does Davey, who's been in the music industry for quite some time (Promise Ring, Cap'n Jazz), think of the ever popular MySpace world?

"It's fine. The internet is here to stay, so it's logical that it drives every kind of promotion. MySpace seems to suffer from that "too cool too quick" thing, where the fast rise is followed by hipsters looking down their nose at it."

Overall, Hersey And the Hotel Choir is an amazing record. Catchy songs, a stable line-up and and an infamous vocals make this album worth picking up. Maritime has done it again.