If you aren’t yet familiar with East Of Reno then we recommend getting familiar! If you love a collective of top-notch multi instrumentalists and remarkable vocalists who showcase the talents of all their band members on record and on stage then this is the band for you!

Made up of Irwin Sparkes of The Hoosiers, Chopper on drums, Pat Murdoch on lead guitar, Chris Vince on keyboards (and he also takes some singing duties. and Jason Rungapadiachy on Bass guitar (and he also sings).

The self titled debut Album/EP is infectious from start to finish with a distinctive sound throughout that is wonderfully refreshing. A band that have that “live music” sound in all their music, you can’t help but crave a show listening to this.

Instrumentally exciting, each note played is noticeable and each beat will get your toe tapping. Sparkes’ vocals have never sounded better, he just seems so at home in this band. That isn’t to say he isn’t with The Hoosiers but this band just hits different for me hearing his vocals.

Starting with the song Brothers, you know you are in for a treat for the rest of the album. A brilliant song to kick off with, Brothers is up beat and incredibly fun to listen to. Brothers, the opening track and Shining Star, the closing track were songs that already existed and ones that the band took on. The tracks were from a band called Harry Oakwood and The Millionaires. When that band disintegrated, Irwin and the drummer from that band decided to form a new band but inherit those two songs (written by Andy Harwood and James Hayto from Harry Oakwood.)

This is one of those rare albums where it’s incredibly difficult to pick a favourite because you love them all! Each song has its own appealing sound and vibe that you cling on to.

Open Door is like listening to a road movie soundtrack. It has such a feel-good melody which makes you want to roll down the windows on a long stretch of road and just soak it all up!

My Dad (Had No Middle Name) is one of the more rockier songs off of the album! Different from the rest of the album sonically, it still works really well and I would love to hear more like this in the future.

Night of Nothing was an early favourite! A melodic song, the chorus has a beautiful hook, guitar riff and overall sound! It’s just such a great song and I don’t feel words can quite give it the justice it deserves. It has a 70’s way about it as well as having a real modern sound! This is going to be one of those epic live moments where the crowd really absorbs the song and is maybe a song they will close on? It’s anthemic, it’s passionate and simply just something to get excited about!

Anyone Other Than You is another favourite! It’s perfect in its simplicity. Now I say simplicity but at the same time it has incredible detail in its melody and in each note from each instrument. It has an alternative folk edge to it with strong hints of Americana.

Break The Pattern is Fleetwood Mac and Crosby Stills and Nash all rolled into one and beautifully so. The addition of the backing vocalists gives the song that extra something and the guitar solo is slick and infectious. This is a power house track, an arena filled song. When I talk about the fact their music is made for the live stages, this song is the perfect example of that!

Rearview Mirror has a guitar riff that I just can’t get enough of. The verses are catchy and the chorus somewhat hypnotic. In fact the song as a whole is quite mesmerisingly bewitching. It’s just easy listening and in the best kind of way!

Shining Star is the perfect close to the project because it has a wicked build up that is so impactful and powerful towards the end. The fact this is the closer is quite emotional, it just works so well. It leaves a mark that makes you appreciate what a great album/ep this is and urging you to listen to it again and again.

I am very very excited about this band and what the future may hold for them! I personally can’t wait for a live show and hope to see them on many festival line ups next year. This band are just getting started so watch this space!

I am listening to this album on a road trip in a camper van to Scotland. The route is scenic and the album has a cinematic visual way about it which makes it the perfect companion.

This EP/Album is a must-hear for fans of any genre, for music lovers in general. It is definitely a contender for album of the year for me! With such interesting lyrics, it’s going to take me a while to fully understand the story behind each track but that’s part of the fun though, going back and discovering new delights!

East of Reno lean towards the Americana/Alternative Folk-Rock side but they have a sound so distinct, that they can almost form their own genre. No two songs are similar, there doesn’t seem to be any typical style which is refreshing and keeps you wanting more. The Album/EP is a chorus of well crafted material with rich textures that all stand out singularly. When you listen to it, the songs flow so beautifully that it makes you want to listen to it in its entirety again and again.

Stream East of Reno here