SAMECITY, a band comprised of Houghton College alumni, was recently included in Billboard’s list of “Christian Rock Most Added.” The band got their start in 2009 while studying right here on campus.
The band members became friends and grew closer when they both entered Houghton’s annual Battle of the Bands competition. Vocalist and guitarist Justin Bowersox and drummer Dan Larson’s bands were no match for the group led by vocalist and keyboardist Hannah Prentice Bowersox. Her band won the competition, but neither Justin, Dan nor Hannah’s bands stayed together.
As time went on, Hannah and Justin began dating. Hannah, Justin, and Dan decided to create a band together. Their original band name was “The Undefiled,” which as they recently admitted in a YouTube video, was a very corny start. They considered this band a worship band, and retained the lackluster name for a year before deciding it was time to change both their title and their musical direction.
Shortly thereafter, they released their first EP as SAMECITY and toured all over the northeast with Houghton College as their base. After graduating, they decided to make the big move from New York state to Nashville, TN to further pursue their musical career. The initial move was not glorious. Hannah explained how they took jobs “waiting tables, tutoring kids, and working in retail.” After spending a year honing their style and sound, they were able to release their second EP, There’s an Ocean. They then toured the country and were able to experience what it’s like to have make music their full-time job.
Yet it was their third EP, Afterglow, that gave the band their big break. Released in March of 2016, this new project that got them on the radio and propelled them into a second full-time tour. While on touring the country, they continued writing music and began what they consider their “best project yet.” They started an Indiegogo campaign that raised over $10,000.
Through this funding, they were able to record their project and produce their fourth EP, Lowlands. This fourth EP was just released on January 30 and can be purchased on their website. SAMECITY is considered a pop/rock trio, with heavy influences, ranging “from rock/americana/pop artists like Needtobreathe and Switchfoot, according to the band’s Facebook. “Their dual male/female lead vocals and their accompanying harmonies pay homage to influences like John Paul White and Joy Williams of The Civil Wars. The band is perhaps most well known for their high-energy and exciting live shows, and is quickly earning their spot going into 2018 as a band you need to know.”
Although SAMECITY has taken some time to figure out their sound, years of hard work and determination have allowed them to rise to prominence today. They are proud to say they are Houghton alumni, and that everything started right here in western New York. You can stream their music on Spotify or download their EPs off of their website. You can also find their upcoming tour dates for 2018 at samecitymusic.squarespace.com.