BIOGRAPHY
Garrett Komyati – Vocals, Piano, Guitar
Matthew Childers – Bass, Drums
Holden Laurence – Guitar
Michael O’Brien – Drums
The Modern Electric are driven by the feeling that time is running out; that it is crucial to express what really matters to loved ones before it is too late. They believe that honest, authentic songwriting has the power to articulate emotions that words cannot. Inspired as much by classic cinema as they are David Bowie and ELO, they’ve coined the genre “cinematic rock” to describe their powerful piano-charged sound. Each richly-orchestrated pop symphony is led by a voice that has no comparison; a unique vibrato saturated in soul and sensitivity.
Their latest album “Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,” produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead), is being called “a movie for the ears”, “widescreen pop.” Like a coming-of-age story about chasing crushes, surviving loneliness, and finding close friends, it is timeless in its scope and undeniably contagious in its melodic focus. Writing and directing a short film to accompany each track on the album, the band has set themselves apart as true auteurs of rock n’ roll – ambitious filmmakers as well as visceral songwriters.
They’ve brought their epic live show across the Midwest and to festivals such as SXSW, CMJ Music Marathon, and WMC after being awarded “Band of the Year” and “Album of the Year” in their hometown of Cleveland, OH. The Modern Electric aren’t creating songs that mimic the trendy sounds of the year. They are creating the kind of songs that are put on mixtapes for loved ones; songs that memories are made to. These are the kind of songs that become the soundtrack to a person’s life.
In 2020, the band launched a non-profit organization called Cleveland Verses (clevelandverses.org) that provides an outlet for musicians in the Cleveland music scene to benefit their community with their artistic talents. The Modern Electric released a charity single to coincide with the launch– a heartfelt re-imagining of Bob Dylan’s “Queen Jane Approximately.”
FILM & TV PLACEMENTS
The Enormity of Life Trailer (2020)
Speed of Life (2019)
Making Mail (2014)
Cleveland International Film Festival Trailer (2014)
FESTIVALS
SXSW
CMJ Music Marathon
InCuya Festival
Fashion Meets Music
Brite Winter
SUPPORT
Fitz & The Tantrums, Delta Spirit, The Mowgli’s, Jukebox The Ghost, Welshly Arms, Psychedelic Furs, Jr. Jr., Sloan, Rogue Wave, The Elected, Red Wanting Blue, Cotton Jones, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Lighthouse and the Whaler, Doc Robinson, Tristen, Black Taxi, The Acorn, Basia Bulat, Empires, River City Extension, Gringo Star
PRESS
THE WASHINGTON POST
“The Modern Electric’s Short Eulogy for David Bowie”
-washingtonpost.com
THE NERDIST PODCAST
Episode 649: “Go to themodernelectric.com and see their videos“
-Chris Hardwick
NATIONAL / LOCAL
BROOKYLN VEGAN
The Modern Electric to play first annual InCuya Fest with New Order, Avett Brothers, Cake, Awolnation, SZA…
-brookylnvegan.com
DOWNTOWN MAGAZINE
“The geniuses behind cinematic pop”
“Critics rave about their captivating melodies, moving acoustic sounds, and catchy hooks.”
“DOWNTOWN Magazine caught a glimpse of what inspires The Modern Electric and how they hope to inspire others.”
-downtownmagazinenyc.com
CULTURE COLLIDE
“What do you get when you give a self-proclaimed cinematic pop band their own music video? A really well-done short film.”
“With music that is lushly orchestrated, bombastic and warm, we’re certain that The Modern Electric will have no problem securing those Sundance awards.”
-culturecollide.com
POPDOSE
“Following the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Pere Ubu, The Dead Boys, The Black Keys, The Pretenders and Devo to national greatness and acclaim is The Modern Electric”
“Each track … paired with a Sundance worthy video with the band proving to have as much prowess behind the camera as they do the mic. If you’re fond of Wes Anderson … these short films are for you… It’s just a matter of time before the Modern Electric breaks through the clutter and becomes a staple on radio worldwide. Early adopters, savor em while you can.”
“The Killers… frontman Brandon Flowers better watch his back, because here comes The Modern Electric… Their sophomore full-length, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack would have been a Top 5 disc this year — but it’s not officially released until 2015.”
-popdose.com
BAEBLE MUSIC
“Komyati’s emotive voice fills the album with a wall of passion and sincerity to match the Phil Spector-esque walls of sound”
“It’s apparent from the moment that the gospel-esque back-up singers arrive that the Modern Electric owes a spiritual debt to Born to Run-era Bruce Springsteen, they are also a band with their own expertly realized identity.”
-baeblemusic.com
THE WILD HONEY PIE
“…easily brings to mind comparisons to The Shins“
-thewildhoneypie.com
AUDIO FUZZ
THE VINYL DISTRICT
“…when these boys come to your town, you better clear your evening to catch them live.“
-thevinyldistrict.com
DEADLY MUSIC
“…a massive sound the likes of which you possibly haven’t heard since the 70s.”
“It’s essentially a glammed up homage to classic Ziggy Stardust Bowie. The video is quite fantastic.”
-feckingdeadly.com
DRUNKEN WEREWOLF
“‘The Summer of Lou Reed’ – a steaming lead single that’s sure to find the band success in the UK and their native US – there’s no reason not to love this music.”
-drunkenwerewolf.com
THRILLIST
“Sincere, energetic pop”
-thrillist.com
OVERNIGHT AMERICA (CBS ST. LOUIS)
INTERVIEW: Kickstarter for New Album 5/4/15
Radio Stream: Pop culture report with Keith of Popdose.com
-Overnight America Podcast
MIDWEST ACTION
ALL THINGS NEXT
Favorite Songs of the Year: The Modern Electric – Great Expectations
Music Video Premier: Prowess Is Power
“They are brilliant live. It’s a show you wouldn’t soon forget.”
“Is David Bowie is your hero? Here’s your song”
Favorite Songs of January 2015: The Modern Electric – Great Expectations
-allthingsnext.com
MUSIC SUPERVISION CENTRAL
“Sync Song of the Week: All We Have Is Now”
-musicsupervisioncentral.com
TOWLEROAD
“Very possibly your summer 2015 go-to classic… The Summer Of Lou Reed”
-towleroad.com
TUNES NEWS
“…crashing through the walls of the current pop machine with their incredibly cinematic, symphonic, and awe-inspiring music.”
-tunesnews.com
PURE M MAGAZINE
“Loud and lively… laced with enthralling orchestral elements.”
“Compelled by heartbreak and the power of cinema, they write songs to the ones they love.”
“I really can’t say anything bad about [(Try To) Pretend], pretty perfect in my opinion.”
-puremzine.com
ALTERNATIVE PRESS STREET TEAM
“The musicianship and passion of the band are evident through every song…”
INTERVIEW 7/10/12: Favorite Cleveland Hangout Spots
-Alternative Press Street Team
BUFFABLOG
“Part manlier Keane, part vaudeville Jens Lekman, and a pinch of Spoon…”
-buffablog.com
SIXTY SECONDS OF HEAVEN
“…arresting, tension-filled pop symphonies.”
-sixtysecondsofheaven.com
KRYPTONITE
“…No matter how many times you listen to The Modern Electric’s recorded music, nothing will ever prepare you for how they sound live. Most bands would trade their souls to sound as good as The Modern Electric do…”
“They’re known for their unique, ageless sound and being the masterminds of ‘cinematic pop'”
-kryptonitemusic.com
VENTS MAGAZINE
“Simply put, this is not a band interested in the trendy sounds of the year.”
-ventsmagazine.com
GOOD TIME GIRLS LA
INTERVIEW 2/19/15: New album Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
-goodtimegirlsla.tumblr.com
MUSIC BOX PETE
“…a cinematic rock guitar edge […] that really puts these guys in a class all their own and just adds to their sophistication and elegance.”
-musicboxpete.com
BACKLINE MUSIC
“Artists releasing anticipatedly (it’s a word) awesome albums this year”
-backlinemusic.wordpress.com
MUSICXRAY
INTERVIEW 6/9/12: MusicXray.com Featured Artist of the Week
-musicxray.com
CITIZEN DICK
“BEST OF 2009”
“…big moments that leap out of the speakers and force goose pimples… it’s clear that The Modern Electric are swinging for the sonic fences.“
“…savvy indie-rock veterans, dropping hooks and energy left and right.“
-citizendick.org
DIGGING FOR DAYS
“…The Modern Electric are the next thing. Guaranteed.“
Top 9 albums of 2009: #6. The Modern Electric – The Modern Electric
-diggingfordays.blogspot.com
LEACOCK’S BLOG
INTERVIEW 4/24/12: Leacock’s Features
-leacocks.com
A MELANCHOLY LADY
“The Modern Electric. My favorite band since graduating high school in 2013”
-amelancholylady.com
BRIAN THOMPSON
Featured Song of The Week: “Mistakes” (7/9/12)
“These guys are fantastic…“
-Brian Thompson (Thorny Bleeder Records, The DIY Daily Podcast)
HOLLYWOOD KHAN
INTERVIEW 11/23/14: David Bowie Save Us All (Redux) Music Video
– mynameiskhan.ca
ROSEPLAYLIST
“Ten Bands You Shouldn’t Sleep On”
-roseplaylist.blogspot.ca
THE RHYTHM REPORT
“For whom would you become a zombie?“
-therhythmreport.blogspot.com
LOCAL
SCENE MAGAZINE
“The Modern Electric Presents Northcoast Christmas!”
“ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2016”
“Indie Rockers the Modern Electric Launch Cleveland Verses Foundation to Support Local Venues and Musicians”
“10 Bands to See at inaugural InCuya Fest“
“The anthemic ‘All We Have is Now,’ sounded sharp and showed why they’re one of the best indie rock acts on the local circuit”
“One often feels like a wonderstruck Ed Norton in a long-forgotten Wes Anderson flick when listening to their stuff.”
“Scene Podcast: Interview with Garrett and Holden”
“NoSleepInTheCLE Podcast: Interview with Garrett Komyati of The Modern Electric“
“Music Video Premier: Slow-Motion Jeans”
“15 Bands to Watch in 2015“
“BAND OF THE YEAR 2013”
“It’s just a matter of time before The Modern Electric owns the pop world.“
“They’ve managed to build a rabid fan base and pack rooms over and over again…“
“Best Upcoming Band 2013”
“BEST ALBUM OF 2011”
“The Modern Electric to embark on first-ever tour”
“While the band cites Roy Orbison as an influence, Rufus Wainwright or even Antony and the Johnsons are more apt comparisons.“
“We’d so much rather listen to [Northcoast Christmas] than to She & Him’s joyless new holiday collection.“
“…a really good pop band.“
-Scene Magazine
CLEVELAND MAGAZINE
“All bands have influences and the Modern Electric is no exception, drawing inspiration from both 1970s music and classic films.”
“The cinematic rock band puts a theatrical, upbeat and piano-driven spin on the Dylan classic”
“Like the movies, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is an escape to a larger, more sublime life but there’s enough humanity for us to keep listening.“
“Sick of Christmas carols? Raise your beer to Modern Electric’s holiday anthem, ‘Northcoast Christmas…'”
“Listen to a new sound at The IncuyaFest”
-clevelandmagazine.com
“They have a truly transcendent [sound that] rises above the sound of the week or the sound of the year.“
-Justin Markert
WJCU 88.7
INTERVIEW 2/19/16: Upcoming Documentary Series Video Music
– WJCU The Heights Cleveland
THE PLAIN DEALER
“The Modern Electric Launches Cleveland Verses Foundation To Help Local Music Community”
“One of Cleveland’s best young bands at the peak of its power.”
“The four-piece group consistently puts out some of the catchiest indie rock…”
“…tends to be its biggest event of the year, regularly selling out of tickets.”
“InCuya Music Festival delivered on what was one of the biggest music announcements in Cleveland history last month.”
The Modern Electric to play first annual InCuya Fest with New Order, Cake, Avett Brothers, Booker T. Jones…
“They’ve gained a following as one of the most popular live bands in the city.“
“…it’s near-perfect indie pop.“
“…giving fans a sneak peak at the material with the release of a new single.“
“Cleveland’s The Modern Electric is a headliner at the two-day NEOCycle festival”
“The Modern Electric had just hopped off their stage at Brite Winter when the audience began chanting for an encore.“
“18 Great Christmas Songs: Northcoast Christmas”
“26 Concerts You Should See: Thom Yorke, Joan Jett, The Modern Electric..”
“New Cleveland music featured in Spotify playlist.”
“The Modern Electric is well-known for its 2011 Christmas album “Northcoast Christmas,”
-cleveland.com
PRESSURE LIFE
“New and old fans alike called for an encore for which the band happily obliged.“
-pressurelife.com
CAVSNATION
AKRON BEACON JOURNAL
“Catchy, mostly piano-driven tunes mixing dance rock rhythms, drama and melodies you can hum”
“…Melody-heavy tunes led by Komyati’s vibrato and emotion-laden vocals”
-ohio.com
THIS IS CLEVELAND
Local Bands Locals Love: The Modern Electric
-thisiscleveland.com
COOL CLEVELAND
“Check out one of the area’s most popular and accomplished bands, The Modern Electric”
“Local Band The Modern Electric Will Customize Song for Your Chosen ‘Hero'”
“The Modern Electric have built themselves a strong and enduring career with their dramatic, wide-screen rock.”
“… a sincere reflection of the Cleveland music scene and its capabilities.“
“Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, an appropriate album title for a band who describe their momentously melodic music as “cinematic pop.”
“The quartet’s theatrical, keyboard-heavy music, which they call “cinematic pop,” has attracted increasing audiences around the region”
“… sculpted their soaring pop sound into something that sounds much bigger than you’d expect from a quartet.”
-coolcleveland.com
NEWS-HERALD
“While the Northeast Ohio-based quartet … has gained a national following, the outfit remains beholden to the Rock Hall City music scene.“
-news-herald.com
JOHN GORMAN
“A new band with a seasoned sound. The Modern Electric have earned the right to be the ambassadors for today’s Cleveland music scene.”
-John Gorman (President of Gorman Media)
CASE WESTERN RESERVE
“The Modern Electric look to soundtrack your year”
“The Modern Electric may just be the most beloved band in Cleveland…“
-Case Western Reserve University Observer
BLACK SQUIRREL RADIO
“Interview: Local Artist Spotlight 2/23/14“
-Kent State University Radio
CLEVELAND BACHELOR
Top 25 albums of 2009: #4. The Modern Electric – The Modern Electric
“… merges 70s minor-chord pop with heat and fuzz (think a little bit of Spoon, a little bit of Jack White)“
-clevelandbachelor.blogspot.com
CELLAR DOOR RECORDS
“The song feels like the score of what’s going on on-screen…“
“It’s with great pleasure that we present to you the exclusive world premiere of ‘Great Expectations’“
“TOP 10 LIVESHOWS OF 2012“
“It’s a song about the ever-looming threat of world’s end, pursuing the one you love…“
“Lead singer, director, and cinema enthusiast Garrett Komyati’s grand scheme for their new album (which will be released over the course of the year) is to premiere one video a month for each single.”
Delta Spirit to headline Beachland with support from The Modern Electric
-cellardoorcle.com
WAITING FOR NEXT YEAR
Cleveland Songs of the Year: “The Modern Electric – The Summer of Lou Reed” (a brand new obsession)
waitingfornextyear.com
ANARCHOHIO
“The Modern Electric’s self-titled release get an ‘Oscar for Best Picture’“
“…one of Cleveland’s finest local groups.’“
-anarchohio.tumblr.com
VOYAGEOHIO
“Conversations with Garrett Komyati“
-voyageohio.com
THE EISENBERG REVIEW
“A spirited Bob Dylan cover from Cleveland favorites The Modern Electric“
-eisenbergreview.com
I HEART CLEVELAND
“New Cleveland Christmas Anthem…“
-iheartcleveland.com
OHIO BURLESQUE
INTERVIEW 3/28/15: New album Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
“The Modern Electric’s new album is absolutely a prime example of magic.”
-ohioburlesque.com
THAT’S MY 216
INTERVIEW 12/23/2016: Northcoast Christmas 2016
-thatsmy216.com
THE NOISE IS
“Northcoast Christmas was just as much a song about Cleveland as it was a song about Christmas…“
-thenoiseis.net