Up the Chain

Hailing from Philadelphia, Up The Chain’s tight, well-crafted Neighbor Rock songs strike the perfect balance of catchiness and substance. The longtime solo project of frontman Reed Kendall, Up The Chain truly took form with the addition of Noah Skaroff on bass and Kirby Sybert on drums for their 2015 EP Windows Into Worlds. The influence of Skaroff and Sybert added a palpable layer of richness to Kendall’s already evocative songwriting on Windows, and the band continued to experiment with the give and take of collaboration as they wrote and recorded their debut full length, The Prison Break, as a trio. Though The Prison Break is the third LP to be stamped with Up The Chain’s moniker, in many ways it marks a fresh start for the band. The sound is crisp and charged with well measured three part harmonies, but the experience bleeds into a louder, unfettered free space. The care and attention to detail the band put into the creation of The Prison Break is both apparent and accounted for, as the album was recorded and mixed in the band’s own studio with the help of producer Karl Petersen. This deep personal commitment is felt in every track, arrangement and live show, and is what envelops all that Up The Chain does in their characteristic cheeky charm. After spending the last year touring the United States and Europe, Up The Chain have produced an album that simultaneously recalls the energy of adventure (as felt in uptempo bangers like “Sidecar”) and the still comfort of returning to the ones you love (as in the gently percussive reworking of the title track from Windows Into Worlds). This year the band plans to maintain a heavy touring schedule while continuing to hone their eclectic cohesion of style that leaves listeners leaning in, wanting more. songs