November Loop heads into studio

A new recording means a new start for the indie-rock darlings. But you can catch the band live tonight.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — New music and a new chapter is what Youngstown act November Loop is hoping to accomplish with its next album.

“We’re going into the studio this week to work on a new album, and hopefully it’ll come out next year,” said keyboardist Matthew Celio, who graduated from Ursuline High School in 1998. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do more experimental stuff. I think it’ll have a nicer, more cohesive sound as a band and the album will have a more directed vision.”

If November Loop’s earlier material fell into the ’90s indie pop scene, like Pavement or The Rentals, Celio said the act’s new sound is darker and more intense. He likens it to a Radiohead or Air vibe.

New tracks that have already entered the band’s set list include the epic-like “Apples of Destruction” and the rocking “Going Fast Way Too Slow.” Something else music fans can expect to hear when November Loop performs tonight at its favorite club — Cedar’s Lounge — is a cover of The Church’s “Under the Milky Way.”

The 1988 song seemingly epitomizes what the band — Celio, Jill Harrison (bass), Sarge (guitar, vocals), Chip Taylor (guitar, vocals) and Matt Leicht (drums) — is all about when onstage.

“That’s just really a good song and works really well with our sound,” Celio said. “It definitely fits into our ’80s or ’90s shoegazer-type thing.”

More so, the Youngstown State University grad student — he’s studying electrical engineering — believes November Loop fits squarely into the Mahoning County music scene.

“I think so,” Celio said. “People in Youngstown really appreciate and support local music, so it’s really good to be around here. People know you and come out and see you. It’s great.”

Formed seven years ago with Celio joining a few years back, November Loop has become a known act in the area. However, its future remains uncertain.

“It’s a hobby, and it’s what we love doing,” Celio said. “But I don’t know about it as a career. Really, we just want to put out a good album and whatever else might happen.”

So does he view the next studio effort as a make-it-or-break-it affair?

“I don’t think it would break us,” Celio said. “I don’t know if it’ll make us either, but it definitely won’t break us. We’re not hoping for anything great. We just want to put it out, have it out and we’ll still carry on like we normally do.”

He quickly added, “Even if it doesn’t do anything for us, we’re comfortable.”