Lucky Day, a local band from the Washington D.C. area, is proof that a handle often defines its subject. Having formed just last year, the band has already seen the kind of initial success indicative of a new talent on the rise. After an energy-driven performance at this past weekend’s Six Points Music Festival, which showcased local music talent throughout the D.C. area, Lucky Day is poised to unveil their new EP at a release party, Friday, April 15 at Jammin’ Java in Vienna.
On their new EP, titled “All My Rainy Days,” the band produces pop-driven songs, reminiscent of the cascading harmonies found in 1960’s Sunshine-Pop. Lucky Day is aware that their music is slightly different from the norm.
“We’ll go into radio shows where they are playing heavy stuff and think ‘they won’t like us’,” joked Victoria Patchen, lead singer for the band.
“I think we do stuff that’s a little different. We’re not afraid of Pop or pretty melodies.”
THE SIX SONGS that appear on the new EP were written by the band’s guitarist, Brian Huber. Having already written around 20 songs before the band had formed, there was plenty of material to choose from when it came time to cut the record — the only thing missing was a drummer and keyboardist. According to Patchen, they used studio musicians to fill in the gap, hoping they could fill in the spaces once there was a product to listen to. Patchen’s “If you build it, they will come,” mentality paid off as drummer David Ray joined the band to bring it to the current foursome, which includes bassist Adam Gierisch.
Lucky Day is off to a fast start. Having formed in the summer of 2005, the band has already been asked to perform at the 2006 National Cherry Blossom, the 2006 National Capital Barbecue Battle Festival and the more recent Six Points Music Festival, where they fit the bill at the Velvet Lounge last Friday evening. With their new EP, the band has also been asked to appear on a Superdrap Tribute album, which is being produced by the Nashville-based Double D records and slated to be released internationally this month.
SO HOW DOES a band pick a name that defines each day in the business?
“We were just throwing stuff around and that just seemed to stick,” said Patchen. “It worked out because Brian had this thing for fortune cookies. At shows we’ll have boxes of them for people to take.”
— Christopher M. Staten