Artist description Formula is a four-piece alternative pop outfit from Encinitas, California. Julie McBride's stirring vocals emit a sense of beauty and innocence, wandering over orchestral pop compositions that are familiar and foreign at the same time. Subtle influences from The Sundays, Cowboy Junkies, The Sugarcubes and Velvet Underground can be detected...

Music Style Alternative Pop

Musical Influences Cowboy Junkies, 10,000 Maniacs, Velvet Underground, Mazzy Star, Olivia Newton John

Similar Artists The Sundays, 10,000 Maniacs

Artist History Formula has been a music project that's been together in one form or another for five years. The current line-up is relatively new. They just released a full-length album, entitled "Conduit", which is receiving extremely positive reviews in the alternative press. Powerful, angelic, female vocals over a melodic fusion of genres. Seventies punk, jazz and even bossanova all have a place at the formula table. Conduit wraps around these disciplines like a warm, sonic blanket. To order CDs, T-shirts or for booking information contact djvick@aol.com.

Group Members Jerry Hamlin: Additional Percussion John Salcido: Bass/Baritone Guitar Julie McBride: Vocals/Rhythm Guitar Tony Vick: Guitar V: Drum

Albums Joik, Conduit

Press Reviews Slamm Magazine: http://www.slammsd.com/article.php?id=967&atype=LocalSoundWave Formula: Conduit Mercy Productions 7 out of 10 Goes Well With: Natalie Merchant, Sheryl Crow, A.M. Vibe Don?t plan on ignoring this album. Need background music? Too bad. Conduit will creep up behind you and tap you on the shoulder like a police officer at an underage party. Not to insinuate that Formula?s style is anywhere near pushy or invasive?it?s not. It is, however, sweltering with irrepressible verve and passion. So much, in fact, that it would be a shame to let it melt away to waste. The album instantly demands attention and has the fortitude to float around until everyone is attentive to the next change in musical pace. The band is working at shaking something loose here?a work ethic of sorts that pushes the musician and listener alike to take notice of each song, each note, each vibe. Conduit?s lyrics are smartly unassuming, allowing melody to take flight without cheap sentiment or waxy philosophy. ?Luna? is the bouncy strength of the album, carrying along its guitar, keyboard, drums and vocals in an eyebrow-raising, neat package. ?Resolved? is the band?s version of the breathy whisper that Mazzy Star patented in the early ?90s. Points of ?What to Say? feel a bit dragged out, allowing mind-wandering at a critical point in the album experience, but ?Purple Shroud? picks up the baton and floats straight to the finishing line with class and grace. Vocalist Julie McBride glides through yearning melodies and lofty moments with poise and beauty. Comparisons to Natalie Merchant would not be unfounded. Formula seems more a guarded San Diego secret than a sights-set-high rock band, and this is their appeal. Caley Cook

Location Encinitas, CA - USA

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