Win Tickets: The Lighthouse and the Whaler at Barboza 9/29

The Lighthouse and The Whaler, James Germain and the Grey Gray Days @ Barboza | 9/29 | 7pm | $8 advance (Get Tickets) | 21+

Photo via The Lighthouse and the Whaler’s Facebook

The Ohio quartet The Lighthouse and the Whaler create a blend of folk-rock and pop that is easily parallel to the likes of Walk The Moon and The Lumineers. They utilize various instruments to have a core of folk but throw in various tropical components like the steel drum in “Iron Doors” to create a sound that stands out and makes people take notice. The extremely catchy “Pioneers” features an intro of glockenspiel, keys, harsh drums, and infectious stomping.

While they lack the vocal harmonies of The Lumineers, The Lighthouse and the Whaler’s lead vocalist Michael LoPresti has a phenomenal range and can belt it out. The quartet is a fun-loving bunch that are incredibly energetic on stage and are sure to get the crowd dancing. Their intriguing sound caught the attention of Paste magazine, who used “The Field Song” in a compilation CD, and thus The Lighthouse and the Whaler were born. Their most recent release This Is An Adventure was their sophomore follow-up to 2009′s self-titled debut album. 2011 was a stellar year for The Lighthouse and the Whaler, with a recorded live session at both KEXP and Daytrotter, with the new release out 2013 looks quite promising.

Seattle-based James Germain and The Grey Gray Days have graced many stages throughout the Emerald City and have shared bills with local and national artists. Most often a quartet that features guitar, percussion and a stand-up bass, the group fashions adult contemporary love songs at a slowed down tempo that is perfect for dancing with a partner. The group styling is akin to The Spill Canvas, with introspective lyrics that also typically weave a story of heartache. The soft, melancholy vocals of Germain often pair with Mara Solar’s and provide a one-two punch of male/female harmonizing. James Germain and the Grey Gray Days often dress quite dapper on stage and will fit right in to the lounge vibe that barboza offers. It also happens to be Derrick’s (the drummer) birthday so make sure to buy him a drink after their set! This is an early show so make sure to get there on time to not miss any action.

For your chance to win tickets to see The Lighthouse and the Whaler, e-mail contests@ssgmusic.com with the phrase “Lighthouse (Barboza 9/29)” in the subject line! Please include your first and last name for the guest list. Don’t forget to follow @SSGPromo to get all the updates of shows we’re giving away tickets for.