Southern California's Dayseeker -consisting of vocalist Rory Rodriguez, guitarist Gino Sgambelluri, bassist Ramone Valerio, and drummer Zac Mayfield- will release their much-anticipated ten-track acoustic album, Replica, digitally on April 19, 2024, and physically on June 14, 2024 via Spinefarm Records.
Replica is the direct result of a somewhat unexpected incident that occurred at a specific festival gig in September 2022, when the band's gear overheated at Blue Ridge Rock Festival. Thinking on the fly, Rodriguez grabbed an acoustic guitar from the band's touring van, plugged it in, and performed an acoustic rendition of "Without Me." In the end, he had pulled together a five-song acoustic set on the fly as thousands of fans gathered to their stage. Speaking on the incident, Rodriguez says, "I felt like we let people down, but I had so many friends say, 'Everyone will remember the day your equipment stopped working and you still played the set as a really special moment,'" he recollects. "It felt natural for our songs. We usually will do extra tracks for a deluxe version or re-release, but we decided to commit to an entire acoustic album this time." Dayseeker's Replica offers a stunning acoustic reinterpretation of a number of their well-known tracks, showcasing the band's versatility and the emotional depth of their songwriting. The album opens with "Sleeptalk," setting a contemplative tone that resonates throughout the entire record.
The inclusion of guest vocalists adds a new dimension to the songs, as well. "Without Me," featuring Moxy The Band vocalist Amber DeLaRosa, is a standout track, with the vocal interplay between DeLaRosa and Rory Rodriguez adding a haunting quality to the song. "Starving To Be Empty," featuring Holding Absence vocalist Lucas Woodland, is another highlight, with Woodland's vocals complementing Rodriguez's perfectly. Finally, the rendition of "Burial Plot" featuring Beartooth vocalist Caleb Shomo shines like a diamond with Shomo's and Rodriguez back and forth vocals, adding a whole new dynamic to the already stellar track.
Dayseeker's cover of Evanescence's "My Immortal" is a fitting conclusion to the album, showcasing their ability to reinterpret a classic song while staying true to its emotional core and giving the track their own flare. The stripped-down arrangement highlights the raw emotion of the lyrics, making it a standout moment on the album. Overall, Replica is a testament to Dayseeker's songwriting prowess and their ability to connect with listeners on a deeply emotional level. Rather it be on the fly during an unprecedented moment at a festival or premediated with a full-blown studio recording. Replica is a must-listen for fans of the band and a compelling introduction for newcomers to their music.
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