Music Review – Jason Thomas’ ‘Harmony’

In this review, we’ll be delving into ‘Harmony,’ a track dropped several months ago by CITADEL, the moniker of Jason Thomas. He describes his sound as ‘slow beats and dark tones [that] bring you back to the basics of dark electronica.’ That’s a pretty apt analysis, but it doesn’t mention that Thomas has combined his brooding, dark electronica with pop vocals and lyrics. The result is surprisingly well executed and likeable.

‘Harmony’ would be a fine track without any vocals. In fact, I’d love to see Thomas release an instrumental rendition of the track. I love the sweeping synthesizers, seemingly random electronic whistles, and plodding piano. Combined with a sharp, tight drum beat, the entire composition of ‘Harmony’ is incredibly well done. It reminds me a bit of something Trent Reznor would release. (Oddly enough, one of the best tracks on Thomas’ SoundCloud profile is a cover of ‘Hurt.’ Goodness, he nails it.)

Vocally, ‘Harmony’ is equally as splendid as its instrumentation. It’s easy going, chill, and very relaxed. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear Thomas harmonize with himself on the verses and choruses, which adds a whole new sonic layer. Every so often, an independent tune comes across my desk that deserves a quality sound system to truly absorb its intricacy. ‘Harmony’ is absolutely one of those tunes, and I found myself remarkably impressed by its production listening to it here in my studio on industry-grade monitors.

If the wonderful aural landscape of ‘Harmony’ is any real indication of Thomas’ ‘CITADEL’ project, then its a persona very much worth keeping tabs on. I did some digging through his profile, and the aforementioned Nine Inch Nails cover is astonishingly good. I’m not sure if I’d really align him as ‘dark electronica,’ though, at least, not on ‘Harmony.’ His sound is pop-oriented on this track, and though it muses with some darker themes, it never commits to a darker path.

By Brett Stewart

I’m a professional writer and editor, a journalism major, and I have extensive experience in musical review. I worked for two years as the Editor & Chief of an arts magazine, Strike Magazine, where I worked closely with writers and musicians. Through this, I was able to interact with dozens of acts including Heart, Holly Williams, Robert Cray, John Hiatt, and more. The magazine printed thousands of issues and was even recognized by Rolling Stone’s founder, Jann Wenner.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

Citadel: I actually stumbled across you guys on twitter. I looked into some of your work and things you had been doing for various artists and I was impressed! There is so much effort being put into keeping mainstream artists stuff flowing amongst the populous, but not many people are working to get new music out there, which is what we should be doing.

Exposed: Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Citadel: I didn’t really grow up in a single place. I was all over the place, Germany, South Korea, and just about everywhere in the Midwest. I’ve always wanted to be a musician, ever since I was little, singing my heart out in my car seat to old 80’s Synth Pop or Hair Metal. I didn’t learn an instrument till I turned twelve. My mom picked me up a guitar and from that point on I couldn’t stop playing. I started looking into Electronic music and programming music when I was fifteen.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Citadel: I know everyone has an intricate story of how they came up with their name. My story… Brace yourselves…. I saw it on the side of a box and thought it was cool.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Citadel: I think its great! All of my music is up for free download.  I think that’s the best way to get music spread, the old fashion way, word of mouth.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Citadel: The biggest tip I can give you is don’t give up! Its amazing how your break comes to you right when you are at that breaking point of not wanting to write any more music. When you start to have that feeling of “why doesn’t my music connect with people” sadness that starts to creep up on you. The simple fact is that your music will connect with someone. There is a audience for you to share with. Sometimes they are just a little harder to find. You might get turned down for certain places and certain critics may bash your music, and it sucks to hear every time, but that’s just one person.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Citadel: All the time, everyone makes mistakes while playing. The best thing to do is just keep rolling, don’t let it bother you. Ninety percent of the people who came out to see you are drunk. They don’t care either.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Citadel: No unfortunately I don’t do any kind of touring. I would love to one day though.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Citadel: I honestly couldn’t tell you. It comes from so many different areas. Sometimes it can be something as simple as an episode of a TV show. It’s hard to say.  All I know is that it’s the feeling I get. I will literally stop what I am doing, stand up and walk out of the room to start composing. I usually write everything out on piano. Then transpose anything I need to over. I usually don’t start working on vocals till the very end, as well as any percussion.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Citadel: I just have a soundcloud as of now. I do my best to not open too many avenues to social media. It can get overwhelming and hard to keep up with fans. This way I keep up with people who message me on an individual basis. As far as sharing my music its all up for free on soundcloud.

https://soundcloud.com/the_citadel

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Citadel: There really isn’t anything I would be embarrassed by! I listen to everything from AQUA to Die Antwoord and Seville to Animosity. All the music I have and all the artists I listened to growing up really inspired me and shaped me into what I am. I could never be embarrassed by it!

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Citadel: First I would make sure my family is taken care of. Then I would work on opening my own label here in Louisville. I would make a studio that specializes in helping artists get out there. Making it as cheap as possible to record an album, because there is so much amazing music out there and amazing artists that cant do anything just because its too expensive to record anymore. That is, unless you have all your own equipment and knowledge to record your own stuff.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Artist: I just use Logic Pro and I run it on my MacBook. I use a Akai Professional Mpk-49 V2 Key Keyboard controller and a MXL 990/991. I would love to get a preamp and get some set up for more live instruments. Also I would love to get a solid Large Diaphragm Mic for super clean vocals.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Citadel: Soundcloud has been a great help, however it is a bit difficult to get fans on there due to the crazy amount of traffic that site gets. There is so much content on there you kind of get lost amongst the “not so talented” groups. Twitter is also a nice way to get stuff around. However I think it is important to not spam people. There is nothing I dislike more than getting an email from someone saying “Hi random fan, go listen to my music (link)”. There is nothing I dislike more, these people are potential fans, the people who are going to decide if your music gets moved around or not. At least take the time to find out the person you’re messaging name.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Citadel: Soldier Field with U2. Those guys are my hero’s. I would revert to a tiny screaming teenage fangirl if I ever met them, or toured with them. They were such a huge inspiration for me, Their music helped me through hard times in life, built me up when I needed it most. I finally got a chance to see them in 2010 in soldier field. It was perfect. The energy, the amazing music, everything was amazing.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Citadel: I have been collaborating with an amazing artist Gerald Gardiner from Nashville TN (Line Society, Aristocrats, Clockhouse) on a new project for a group called PRECOG consisting of both Gerald  and I. We are mixing our sounds to make a totally different animal. My dark ambient sounds and haunting tones, mixed with Gerald’s amazing synth melodies, awesome beats, and colossal pads and orchestration. Its truly going to be something worth checking out.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Citadel: I would be working in the medical field. I use to be an EMT and I was working up to be a paramedic. However I couldn’t do that and music, and have a family. So I gave up being an EMT to allow time for my family and for my music.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Citadel: Of course I do!  It was EVE6’s first album! I got it on cassette. I still have it actually, such a great album.. I was so excited. I use to play a racing game called off road fury that had their two big songs from that album called how much longer and Leech on it. I was really stoked to have those songs available to me on hand.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Citadel: I make sure all my important stuff comes first. Just like trying to fit a bunch of sand (music) and rocks (other big things in my life) into a jar. If I put the sand in first it wouldn’t all fit, but when I put all the big things in first the sand molds around the rocks and it all fits. Music is important, but not more important than the ones you love and my responsibilities.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Citadel: Some seriously great sounds! Like I said I am currently working on new stuff with Gerald for PRECOG so that is going be popping up here soon! Hopefully the interest in our music continues and we can accomplish some solid stuff. I’ll tell you this much, I’m excited..