Against The Current – In Our Bones Tour

By: Brittany Dailey

I was first introduced to Against the Current when I came across a cover of Kelly Clarkson’s song “Catching My Breath” that they collaborated on with fellow musician, Alex Goot. The band, which is made up of Chrissy Costanza, Dan Gow and Will Ferri, have built a strong fan base primarily through YouTube. Between covers of songs and collaborating with fellow YouTubers on covers, as well as their own original songs, it’s clear that this group is well established and has the talent to back it. But it’s their engagement with their fans through various social media platforms that has really helped them gain a steady following. Take a peek at Chrissy’s Twitter and you’ll see her radiating positivity and individuality and it’s clear that she is a role model to the young girls that follow her page. Even on the band’s official Twitter they take the time to not only post updates and pictures, but answer fan questions or just engage in conversations with them. Against the Current has released two EPs on their own and in the space of just two years. This was followed up by their recently released first full length album titled In Our Bones this past spring under the label Fueled by Ramen. I had the pleasure of seeing this band perform recently in Seattle, Washington and they do not disappoint.

It was a brisk Thursday night and despite getting lost while making my way to the venue, thankfully the show hadn’t started yet. I made my way to the ATC merch booth and picked up a shirt which has Chrissy doing what’s called “The Exorcist” pose. Beach Weather opened the show and lived up to their name providing a summery, indie-pop sound that was matched with equally catchy lyrics. Cruisr followed next with catchy lyrics, guitar riffs and great stage presence. They even dedicated a song to girl in the crowd whom they thought was named “Linda.”

As the stage was being set for Against The Current, it started snowing outside. If you don’t know Seattle, we do not get snow – ever. As the lights dimmed and it was pitch black, the crowd started to cheer. A reel of snippets from various Against the Current songs began to play and you could see the various band members begin to walk on stage. The music started, the lights went up and the powerhouse that is Chrissy Constanza took to the stage and brought to life the first sentence of the song “Runaway” from their new album In Our Bones. With its catchy, summery pop/rock feel, it was the perfect song to kick off their set. The crowd bopped along as Constanza effortlessly sang each line while constantly dancing and engaging the audience more and more into the song. They followed up with the fun and “look where I am now” song that is “Forget Me Now.” The wildly popular “Talk” followed next, which is off their EP Gravity. Costanza (who stands at only 5’ 1”) paces the stage back and forth, engaging the crowd who raises their fists with her as she belts out lyrics like “All you do is talk, talk, talk.” It happened to be guitarist Dan Gow’s 21^st birthday that night. Constanza took every opportunity throughout the entire night to make sure Dan was thoroughly embarrassed by having everyone sing “Happy Birthday” to him. She even shared how on her 17^th birthday her dad had an entire restaurant sing “Happy Birthday” to her seventeen times. She told Dan that at least the people in the crowd knew who he was, whereas her dad had previously tried to get strangers to sing “Happy Birthday.”

Things didn’t slow down as the epic “Young and Relentless” came on next. Constanza took the time to discuss the band’s evolution of writing and growth – from knowing how to only write fast or slow songs on their EPs to being able to experiment and expand more with different sounds and moods on their freshly done album. A prime example is the song “Chasing Ghosts,” which they would go on to perform. Between the lyrics, Constanza’s hauntingly magical deliverance of every line and the overall element and tone the song sets the precedence that leaves the echoing memories of one’s own ghosts and past relationships. Things shifted to the electronic and pulsating rhythms of the song “Blood Like Gasoline” where Costanza’s performance is very reminiscent of PVRIS’ Lynn Gunn. “Running with the Wild Things” is next, which was the first single announced for their album and plays on the notion of a corrupt education system. Constanza belts out the lyrics “Standardization of the masses / Give us a number, fail or pass us.” Before taking a break to perform “In Our Bones,” which is the first acoustic song that they have ever written, they play the song “Paralyzed.” It’s become clear at this point that everyone packed into this small venue are fans of ATC, as everyone sings along and goes crazy to the start of songs that they recognize whether it’s from their new album or their older stuff from their EPs.

With only Dan and Chrissy on stage, they take on the title track of their album. The song is stripped down to just an acoustic guitar and vocals. As they progress through the song, the crowd stands silent, listening as the lyrics “We are not invincible but we’re stronger than we know/ In our bones, in our bones” are sung along with “We’re born to be electric” and “A force you shouldn’t mess with.” They don’t slow down with the feels and follow up with the song “Brighter,” in which Constanza’s smooth vocal tone is combined with lifting synth strings and the message of setting the world on fire and burning a little brighter. The slow and melancholic trip down memory lane that is embodied in “Roses” is played next and followed up by another stand out song “Wasteland.” I was particularly excited to hear this song because Constanza had expressed her excitement to perform it live. Much like “Chasing Ghosts,” the song takes on its own life, incorporating a synth and electronic feel that’s held together by Chrissy’s perfect and meticulous details in her vocal performance. Constanza is a performer that goes for it. Her performance highlights the emotional undercurrents of every song that she takes on. At the age of twenty-one, she may be the best vocalist to emerge in recent years. As the band wraps up the set, they make sure to tell everyone to drive home safely as the snow is still coming down. The band originates from Poughkeepsie, New York so snow is not new to them. They finish their set with an oldie and solid choice, “Another You (Another Way)” off their first EP. As the band leaves the stage, no one in the crowd makes a move to leave and everyone starts chanting “Encore” and again sing “Happy Birthday.” Chrissy and the band make their way back out on stage and close out the night with the hypnotic and somber “Dreaming Alone” followed by the well-known and title track from their second EP “Gravity.”

For a band that’s built themselves up from day one and are truly appreciative of the fans who’ve got them where they are, it’s clear that Against The Current isn’t slowing down. With their own headlining tour and debut album under their belt, they are slated for the European leg of their headlining tour next Spring as well as supporting the band State Champs on tour. Do yourself a favor and grab their EPs and album and take a listen. You’re sure to find a few songs that you like or can relate to. If you get a chance to see them on one of their upcoming tours, go. Between Constanza’s charisma as well as the band’s amazing stage presence, their music is only brought to life even more live. Your guaranteed to rock out, shout or sing along to a few (if not all) of their songs and have a good time.