USU’s Homecoming is next week and as a special treat, Tuesday night will feature a performance by the Provo-based synth pop-rock band, Fictionist. Aggie Radio is presenting this performance free-of-charge on the TSC Patio at 7:30.
In preparation for the concert, I sought out Fictionist’s music to see what they were about. Being previously unexposed to the band, I thought I could provide a pretty good view of what students will be in for at Tuesday night’s concert.
My first interaction with Fictionist was typing their name in an email to Aggie Radio’s event coordinator as we looked for bands to play the USU homecoming concert. Fun Fact: If you type “fictionist” into google’s spell checker, you will find that it is not a word, nor ever has been (someone who creates fiction is just called an “author”). Fun Fact #2: If you type “fictionist” into youtube, or spotify, or any other music database, you will find a large number of songs that are both charmingly unique and surprisingly listenable.
Fictionist’s “Sound”:
Now, I’m not one of those people that can describe how a band sounds with words like “ecstatic synth-pop” or “incandescent shadow-rock” (both phrases used to describe Fictionist), but what I can say is that Fictionist rocks. Seriously, go check them out on youtube. What I can say about their music is that it fits really well into a category of music that I call “date music,” or in other words, music that would impress a date if you listened to it in the car on the way to dinner. They are good in a “Hey this is really good, what did you say this band was called so I can add them to my playlist” kind of way. I will also say that the lyrics are poetic and original, the sound is calm, but also makes you want to move and you’ll find yourself singing along even when the music isn’t playing.
Fictionist’s History:
Fictionist, like Neon Trees and Imagine Dragons, is a Utah band that has received national recognition. Coming off success from an award winning song and video for Blue-eyed Universe (which you can check out below), Fictionist signed with Atlantic Records (you know, that huge media label that brought us Led Zeppelin, Coldplay, and Phil Collins). However, creative differences and what fictionist has described in a recent interview as Atlantic Records “not really understanding who we are as a band,” led them to part ways with the record company and get back to their roots.
With creative control back in their own hands, Fictionist is returning to the music that gives them that uniquely listenable sound, which according to a recent interview, means more guitar solos, electronically mixed sounds, and more vocals from the band’s lead guitarist, Robbie Connelly. The new mix sounds amazing, and it’s something that all of USU’s student body will want to check out on Tuesday.
Fictionist and USU Homecoming:
USU’s Big Agg Homecoming Concert coincides with the release of Fictionist’s new, self-titled album, which will be available world-wide on Oct 7th and at the concert for USU students. In many ways the album is a “homecoming” for the band as they return to the roots of what makes their music unique. Students have an amazing opportunity to be part of something big by listening to Fictionist at the same time people all over the world are downloading their long-anticipated album. You definitely won’t want to miss it.
And now, I’ll leave you with one of my new favorite songs.
For more on Fictionist, go to their website www.fictionist.com.
