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Emerging from the Golden State's capital, Sacramento's Blacklight Hotel is a 4-piece force to be reckoned with. Guitarist Eric Davis, Singer/Guitarist Jennifer Valdez, and Drummer Kris Ayala performed together for years in the band March Into Paris, finding their musical forever home alongside Bassist Daniel Risley in Blacklight Hotel. Drawing from their kaleidoscope of influences and each having 20+ years of performing experience in their back pockets, Blacklight Hotel blends intricate math rock polyrhythms with the intimacy of folk, catchiness of pop, and raw intensity of post-hardcore. Fans of everyone from Arcade Fire to Warpaint will relate.
The band's influences have led to their unique sound. Valdez leaned on Elton, Fleetwood, Whitney, No Doubt, and began singing Broadway showtunes, playing piano at the age of 6 and guitar at 14. Meanwhile, co-guitarist Davis models the eccentricities of superhumans Nathan Larson from Shudder to Think and Piggy from Voivod. Ayala's drum inspiration is all Jazz, copping practice time during his childhood on his father's drum kit. And Risley's bass inspiration comes from the frenetic pace of Hendrix' Experience and the bizarre musical monsters of King Crimson, along with Yes' legendary Chris Squire (RIP).
With a rock solid rhythmic foundation in its Jazz & Prog backbone, Blacklight Hotel shines bright by featuring not only Valdez' soaring vocal ability, but intertwining the guitar work between her and Davis. "Our guitar roles are split," explains Valdez. "Eric and I trade rhythm and lead from song to song, our parts essentially completing each others' musical phrases."
Blacklight Hotel is an impenetrable musical force with songwriters whose ideas gain momentum once they come to light in the rehearsal room. Guitar harmonies and textured chord progressions lay the groundwork for Valdez’ lyrics. Leads come at you from both sides of the stage, all the while laser-focused rhythmic backing sets the stage for the band's musical message. With Blacklight Hotel, the music is both the crash and the release – and not even they know what sounds they will come up with next.
