By the end of 2015, Across the Night Sky has released more songs than played shows. That’s what happens when inspiration strikes.
“It all came together surprisingly quickly,” admitted guitarist TJ Storti. “When we first got together, we all jelled really easily. It was simple to knock out four songs.”
That’s how “The only band in King of Prussia,” as Storti jokingly calls the alt-rock four-piece, came to put out their EP, “Close to Forever,” in the summer. At the time, they’d played only one show at Grape Room in Manayunk after forming last spring, which they followed in the fall with a set at Connie’s Ric Rac in South Philly.
This week, they’re wrapping up the year at Roadhouse Inn in Levittown for a Gashouse Radio interview and acoustic performance.
It helped that the members had known each other for years. The rest of the group — singer and guitarist Jordan Prestler, bassist Dylan DeLucca and drummer Allen Tone — had recently disbanded from another outfit. Storti, eager to get back in the game after some years off, hit them up.
“We’ve known each other for years. It ended up being them plus me this time,” he noted.
Their quick cohesiveness, plus momentum from previous bands, got the nascent Across the Night Sky up and running quickly into a studio.
“There was a lot of excitement about how quick and fluid it was to get those songs down. We thought it was important to have them out there for people to hear what we’re doing,” said Storti.
That mission brought them to another friend: Rob Stout of Revolutionary Recordings. They when Stout was the soundman for a benefit Storti was holding, which also featured his soon-to-be-bandmates in another band. Stout’s expertise and excitement for local bands — he also assists with packaging, distributing and marketing bands he records — was an early boost for the group.
“He’s great, his idea is to get local bands a good price, and to help spread the word about them,” said Storti.
And, after a fast start this year, Across the Night Sky is catching up to itself. The band’s looking for more gigs in new places, including tapping into the rising popularity of house shows. Stout said they’re also considering an opportunity for a summer tour.
“Anywhere we can play, anywhere there are people and where they’re gonna talk about the bands, we’re going to play,” he promised.
Across the Night Sky performs at Roadhouse Inn, 2200 New Falls Road in Levittown, on Dec. 17. For information, visit www.acrossthenightsky.bandcamp.com.
