***A five-piece, funk-infused party rock band based in New York City. This band is known for their danceable songwriting, progressive composition, enveloping improvisation, edgy vocal harmonies, as well as a poignant blend of musical styles and influences.
Mission: To collect data about the subject(s) by any means necessary. The task is reconnaissance; the use of force should not be necessary. You will locate and follow the subject, gathering as much information as you can.
Concept Briefing:Mercury Landing has powerful sway with their catchy songs and energetic demeanor. They attract both a devoted audience of music connoisseurs as well as throngs of people who simply love to dance. The band broaches many genres including funk, pop, progressive, reggae, ska, jazz, blues, dance, disco, and anything in between. They’ve covered a wide range of artists including the Talking Heads, the Rolling Stones, the Doors, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, the Greyboy Allstars, the Meters, Jet, etc. They’ve also been known to perform obscure theme music from video games like Tetris, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Megaman.
Known Accomplices: Tea Leaf Green, RAQ, the Adam Deitch Project featuring Eric Krasno, Strangefolk, Lotus, Pnuma Trio, the Breakfast, Granola Funk Express, New Monsoon, Licorice, DJ Logic, DJ Harry.
Background Information: Mercury Landing emerged in the heart of New York City on December 30, 2005. The project was originally the brainchild of NYU students Corey J. Feldman and Dan Haller who performed as a duo called “Dr. UHall” as early as February 2004. Nate Rosler responded to a “craigslist.org” internet classified ad, and he first played with the band in the summer of 2005. Rich Brownstein had known Corey from his freshmen year at NYU, and he joined the band in the fall of 2005 after seeing a Main Stage performance at the Knitting Factory with Tea Leaf Green. The members of Mercury Landing had performed with five different lead guitar players before they found Dave Rosenthal, a jazz guitar student studying at the Manhattan School of Music. Dave first performed with Mercury Landingon June 30, 2007. He was immediately recruited for the highly anticipated album effort.
Album Information:
“Eyes Against the Sky” Recorded August 3-8, 2007 at Leopard Studio – Stone Ridge, NY Prerelease November 2, 2007 at Mercury Lounge Released on iTunes March 1, 2008 Produced by Mercury Landing Engineered by Jimmy Goodman Mixed by David Perlick Molinari -YouTooCanWoo Studio, Brooklyn, NY Mastered by Paul Geluso – Paul Geluso Sound and Music
Location: There has been visual confirmation ofMercury Landing’sposition in New York City (40° 47’ Latitude 73° 58’ Longitude) performing at venues like the Mercury Lounge, the Knitting Factory, and the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. However, their location is not static. The band travels regionally, and satellite data has isolated their position in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, upstate New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. In the springtime, the band usually plays at “Relay for Life” charity events sponsored by the American Cancer Society. These walk-a-thon benefits take place at various colleges and towns around the country (i.e. UPenn, UMass, Syracuse, Cornell/Ithaca, NYU, Columbia, etc.). Mercury Landing may also be located at their rehearsal space near the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn, or possibly 90 miles upstate near Stone Ridge or New Paltz, NY where the band performs frequently and records some of their music.
Rich Brownstein
I imagine that a biography is supposed to explain an interesting series of events in my life that explain how I got to where I am today. If you are expecting that, I recommend that you cease from reading this right now, because this is not entirely interesting. I grew up in a small suburban town in Wayland Massachusetts. I began studying suzuki, (a classical approach for young pianists) at the ripe age of four. I was awakened every morning at 5:30am by my mother for over ten years to practice. Needless to say, learning to play the piano was not so much an enjoyable experience for me, but I do have to admit I appreciate my mom everyday for all her hard work, and dedication into making me the musician I am today. It wasn't until I was sixteen, and I was sent (or forced to be more accurate about it) to Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, that I actually considered pursuing music as a living. It was at Interlochen that my passion for music really took shape as I was constantly surrounded by such incredible talent. I then went on to graduate from the NYU music program, where I met Corey Feldman. Now I am in this band. Come check us out. Free drinks for all!!!
Rich plays a Nord Electro, Triton and Studio Logic keyboards and uses Roland amplification.
Corey J. Feldman
Corey J. Feldman is a guitarist and space noise expert for Mercury Landing. Though now focusing on music and writing, Corey actually had an acting career that peaked at age 9 with a small role on Saturday Night Live (1992 Halloween episode, Hanz and Franz sketch). He also gave a stellar singing performance of "Comedy Tonight," which sadly was edited out the film Life With Mikey (starring Michael J. Fox). In elementary school, Corey began exploring his musical side with a trumpet. In high school, he learned other instruments like the bass, guitar and drums, respectively. He played bass in a high school band, and later dabbled in acoustic performance in his early college years. In his junior year at NYU, Corey met the notorious Dan Haller, and Dr. UHall was born. It was ... the first incarnation. Corey's influences range from Umphrey's McGee, Phish, and Incubus, to the Beatles, Yes, and the Sunday morning church band he grew up watching (we're talking drums, bass, guitar, 2 keyboards, trumpet, sax, french horn, strings, and at least 10 singers one of whom holds a tambourine). He enjoys creative writing when he's not getting freaky on his guitar, and he is currently (and will probably always be) drafting his first apocalyptic novel, as well as his first television script which involves talking animals.
Corey uses JJ guitars, Marshall amplification and Keeley custom electronics.
Dan Haller
Dan Haller was born September 26, 1983 on the mean streets of Spanish Harlem, NYC, and raised and schooled on slightly less mean streets of Summit, NJ. While the Haller family was always musically inclined, Dan did not find his true calling untill the age of 16. He learned how to play the bass in order to join the band "The Shadyside" and never looked back. The Shadyside achieved great local sucess, but soon its members fled suburban New Jersey for more inspiring pastures. While at NYU, Dan was introduced to Corey Feldman, and after a few impromptu jam sessions, a band was born. Dan draws influence from a variety of musical inspirations such as Victor Wooten, Rob Derhak, Jimi Hendrix, Flea and of course the funk within.
Dan uses Fodera basses and Gallien Krueger amplification.
Nate Rosler
There once was a time when i was twenty feet tall All the birds in my hair - I wasn't bothered at all. I would roam in the forest without a care in the world The clouds in my hands, I playfully twirled.
Then one day along came a rose So gentle and soft at the tips of my toes. To touch the flower I carefully planned As not to kill it with my oversized hand.
Many times before my big hands had tried. Every rose I touched was mashed and died To feel the glow of natures gift Imagination was set adrift.
For hours I thought how I could harness the power To one day be able to hold onto this flower. Many ideas would arise and then fall Simple it would be, if I were two feet tall.
Perhaps I shouldn't have said this aloud "I shall make your wish true", this strange voice vowed. I looked all around, in the tops of the trees. And the voice said again - "I'm here to appease".
I began to get nervous with no one in sight The mysterious voice now sounded contrite. "I know you can't see me - but fear me do not I only arrived when I heard of your plot".
I tried to relax and figure this out A nasty cold wind began to circle about. A dark shade of green - the sky became hazy. Lightning bolt splashed on a single moon daisy!
