Local Gainesville band Flat Land will bring its technicolor vibe to stage this Saturday in its first ever album debut at the Wooly.
The release will also kick off a summer tour that will take the band members all the way to New York for the debut of “Arrow to the Sun.” In one of Flat Land’s Facebook posts, the enthusiasm was all too clear.
“Mom, we’re goin’ to the Big Apple!”
Flat Land was founded by five UF alumni who shared a common interest and passion for good music. For nearly four years, the band has worked together to perfect their act and is thrilled to finally be releasing their debut album.
Members include: Christopher Storey, 39, on guitar; Grant McLeod, 26 on drums; Ian McLeod, 30, on percussion and keys; Brandon Miller, 25, on bass; and Fae Nageon De Lestang, 27, as lead vocalist and violinist.
“We’re proud,” Nageon De Lestang said. “Our goal is for our audience to have a great experience — we really want people to have a good time.”
The band’s music, eccentric and funky, has accumulated a following in Gainesville of music lovers who find Flat Land’s composition unlike any other.
One word that describes it?
“Colorful,” Nageon De Lestang said. “It incorporates a lot of different elements and personalities.”
Fans agree.
“The band that no one knew is now the band to know,” said Ken Honer, a Virginia-based fan.
What started out as a hobby has evolved into something that people are crazy about.
For Honer, one of the worst parts of uprooting from Gainesville was missing Flat Land’s live shows.
“Now I am seeing them in Philly,” Honer said. “Couldn’t be happier.”
Instilling a passion for music in young kids is also one of Flat Land’s passions.
In April 2015, Flat Land won a $15,000 grant to start a youth education music non-profit called Future Music Makers. Their goal was to introduce kids to music while providing them with the resources they need to explore music.
The program has largely supported Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary School, located in Northeast Gainesville. The band has worked closely with music teachers at the school and has volunteered their time and effort toward engaging students in music.
For now, band members are simply excited for the launch of the album and to be doing what they love.
“We’ve worked hard to create the best composition possible and we’re proud of that,” Nageon De Lestang said.
Doors will open at The Wooly downtown Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased before the event at showclix.com for $8 or at the door for $10. Bands Little Tybee, a national act based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and Velocirapture will also perform.
