House of Saturn, a band of three friends from Troy, will perform in Albany and Troy this fall, showing off their musical talent and eclectic music tastes. The trio define themselves as a refreshing mix of folk, punk rock, and alternative. If you’ve been feeling like you need something more to add to your playlist – something new – then House of Saturn might be just what you’re looking for.
House of Saturn – Jess Bowen (guitar, violin, vocals, synths), Brian Brancato (drums, vocals, guitar) and Malcom Kane (bass, trombone) – met in college during their studies at the Crane School of Music, and soon afterwards relocated to the Capital Region. After several years of late night studio jams, House of Saturn was born. The group has taken on a unique sound, performing original music from a wide variety of genres, but rooted in indie rock.
House of Saturn’s musical catalog centers around the songwriting of Bowen and Brancato, with a handful of covers sprinkled in from various styles and genres. Bowen’s songwriting features colorful chord progressions often with an emphasis on the violin, strings, and rich vocal layering. Brancato writes from the perspective of a folk-influenced punk rocker with a fascination with compound and frequently changing time signatures. Audience members have described the band’s gigs as having “a 90s-esque jangly alternative rock vibe.” Between the contrast in songwriting styles and the group’s shared eclectic tastes in music, every House of Saturn show brings the audience a unique set of songs that everyone in the band is truly excited to share.
What makes HoS different to me is that we’re not afraid to branch out. We all have such varied influences that inspire us which you can really hear in music from our two song writers (Brian v. Jess). You hear elements of bands/artists like That Dog, Bowie, Phish, and on the other side, there’s Green Day, Foo Fighters, and Beirut. It’s just so fun and freeing to be able to explore whatever we fancy that day and I think the audience can feel that and enjoys going for that ride.
Malcom Kane
Their latest single to date, “Waster” opens up with an electronic-feel, introducing the exciting percussion that mark many pop-style songs.
While long intros of songs can get boring for some, this intro is captivating and you can find it easy to sink into the music and enjoy it. Brancato’s guitar solo has a relaxing 70s-feel to it which starts just before the lyrics begin. Jess Bowen’s light, calming lead vocals add to the overall feeling of being transported back to the 70s, complemented by the angelic backup vocals.
The ending is surprising yet fitting, with the introduction of what sounds like a horn solo that ties the piece together.
On top of the musicality of the single, you have to appreciate the lyricism of the song. So many songs today are about how we feel like we’re running out of time, how we won’t have enough time, and we’re getting lost because of it. This song does the opposite: it compels us to enjoy that feeling of losing time, but not in a negative way: just letting yourself be a human and sort of…float.
“I love to waste my time // with all of the weight of the wise // keep on the right path darling.” This section of the song speaks to everyone– sometimes it’s nice to just do nothing, because there’s still beauty in doing nothing. While we may know that we should be doing something– “the weight of the wise”– we also know that we can take a little time for ourselves to stay on the right path.
We, as a society, are obsessed with a “grind” culture, and this song is perfectly combatting it.
House of Saturn will perform on October 27 in Albany at WCDB’s Multi-Genre Night. There will be music from 7pm to 1am, and they will be performing from 9:30-10:30pm. They will also be at the Troy Speakeasy with Brooklyn band Waterfall Strainer on Monday, November 6.
Follow House of Saturn on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or visit their website.
Listen to them via their Spotify or Bandcamp.
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