VONNE

7.0

Weather Channel
Flashback a year and a half ago and you have three high-schoolers from
Springfield, Illinois performing in the basement of a house with low lights, churchesque seating (if the floor wasnt the best option), and no manager. Going under the
name The Locals the trio of Carter Bibb (Bass), Liam Coffey (Drums) and
Micheal Butler (Vocals/Guitar) had a lot to prove as many bands/artists in the area
have came and gone with nothing to show. After receiving a lot of buzz via
newspaper, media outlets, and word of mouth The Locals now under the name of
Vonne have released their first group project titled Weather Channel which
features an array of refined alternative rock reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie
and songwriting and singing that is on par with Matthew Healy of The 1975.
The band Vonne which consists of two 17 year olds and one 18 year old are
funny. charismatic, and extremely talented in their respective instruments. After
passing out unofficial EPs at their local high school and covering contemporary
bands such as Two Door Cinema Club at their shows, Vonne became locally known
and signed a manager to put forth their debut album Weather Channel. This album
serves as a platform to not only show that Vonne is more then capable of
performing at legitimate venues but also making legitimate music. Weather
Channel succeeds musically in a number of ways. Mike Butlers distinct voice
plays well over the hard hitting drums and punchy baselines that Bibb offers in the
short but sturdy 33 minute album. The intro track properly named Start with You
kicks off the project with a smooth guitar and bass that is backed by Coffeys
smashing drum fills which sets the tone for what is to come. On the second track
Sirens we see evidence of Butlers subtle yet catchy songwriting often about his
relationship with himself or other people. On the succeeding song Bah Wahh we
see a song that could almost be considered two parts, the beginning features a
slowed down repetition of chords and notes which builds up into a small break that
is followed up by a more up tempo second half that feels like a jam session layered
with a wide vocal range that Butler uses very well to match the song.
On Weather Channel, Vonne wants you to know they are here to stay and so
is their formula. Im really sorry for the way/ I treated you while youre
away Butler exclaims on Words the song that starts to showcase not only
Vonnes consistency but the consistency on Weather Channel as well. After reciting
a small interlude about innocence on Inno the band gets right back on pace with

the song Goat that opens with a baseline mimicked by the lead guitar that
eventually leads into a crescendo of some of the bands best instrumentation on the
album. The latter half of this album is highlighted by Doing it Again which
features a groovy baseline delivered by Bibb and a(n) in and out instrumentation
which seems to be a common ingredient to Vonnes cohesive formula. The album
closes out with GB3 a track that would consider them on level with boy bands
such as Fall Out Boy, Death Cab for Cutie, and The 1975 (mentioned earlier.)
Prior to the hiring of manager Matthew Waldinger the band seemed to have
the ideas but no clear direction of what to do or where to go. The release of the
debut Weather Channel gives the listener a loud and intense album that serves as a
statement for the up and coming band, while showing a consistent formula that
truly does mesh well and tests the waters of big names in pop/alt rock. The albums
biggest problem only comes in the creativity of the album, Weather Channel is a
blessing and a curse. It stays consistent all throughout each and every one of the
nine tracks presented to us, but lacks to go outside the box with different types of
sounds and instrumentation that can be heard by bands at the very top of this genre.
The album takes a very linear approach and doesnt seem to follow much of a
narrative which can make some songs feel very stand alone or singles put together
on a record but nonetheless Vonne displayed a(n) accessible, fun, and consistent
album that put them on the right track to becoming a household name that reaches
past their area.
-James Daniel Kropid, Artist, Music Enthusiast, Illinois State Student Music Critic
& Radio/Album Reviewer