Junior Prom (band)

Junior Prom
Origin Brooklyn, NY
Genres Alternative rock, indie pop
Years active 2012 – present
Labels Elektra Records
Associated acts The Rassle, The Virgins, The Takeover UK, Jeromes Dream
Website junior-prom.com
Members
  • Erik Ratensperger
  • Mark Solomich

Junior Prom is a music duo composed of Erik Ratensperger and Mark Solomich. Based in Brooklyn, the two have been operating since 2012 and released their debut EP in February 2014.[1] They’re currently working on their debut LP which will be released next year via Elektra Records.

Career

Early beginnings

Ratensperger and Solomich are both former members of The Rassle. Ratensperger was a member of The Virgins and Solomich of The Takeover UK.[2] They met in 2010 in New York through mutual friends. “Basically from day one, we started playing music together.” When it came time to finally decide on a band name, they received some help from a fellow bar goer. “We were talking about possible names and someone suggested Senior Prom, and this old drunk dude sitting a couple feet down was eavesdropping and he was like ‘na na na – Junior Prom’.” [3]

Late 2013

In 2013, Jeff Castelaz signed the duo to Elektra Records and they released their first single “Sheila Put The Knife Down” on September 30, 2013.[4] They then released their second single “International” on December 17, 2013. The single features Mark’s 66 year old landlord singing backup vocals.[5]

2014–present

On February 4, 2014, the band released their self-titled debut EP. Originally, Ratensperger and Solomich “wrote and scrapped an entire album before they did the songs on the EP.” [6] The pair wrote and produced their EP, which was mostly recorded in Mark’s kitchen and the band's rehearsal space.[7] The music video for “Sheila Put The Knife Down” was also released in February, premiering on Refinery29.[8] After the release of their EP, it was announced that they would support Panic! at the Disco on select dates of their Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! Tour.[9] They also joined Bear Hands on a string of dates during their Summer 2014 Tour across the US.[10] It was recently announced that Junior Prom will be touring with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and Hunter Hunted this Fall.[11]

Junior Prom’s music has been featured in various TV Spots. "Big Timer" was featured on the premiere of MTV’s Faking It in April 2014.[12] A month later, it was used on MTV’s Awkward Season 4 Episode 4.[13] Their second single, “International” appeared on ESPN’s College Basketball Anthem 2013-2014.[14]

Discography

Junior Prom EP

Junior Prom's debut EP was released on February 4, 2014.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Erik Ratensperger and Mark Solomich. 

No. Title Length
1. "Sheila Put The Knife Down"   3:37
2. "Run Around the Back"   3:18
3. "Big Timer"   3:32
4. "International"   3:18
5. "Shoot the Guitar Player"   3:42
Total length:
 17:45

Singles and Remixes

Year Title
September 30, 2013 "Sheila Put The Knife Down"
December 17, 2013 "International"
January 10, 2014 "Sheila Put The Knife Down" K.Flay Remix
February 10, 2014 "Sheila Put The Knife Down" Com Truise Remix
October 21, 2014 "Cheap Thrills"

References

  1. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (2014-02-03). "Junior Prom's 'Junior Prom' EP: Exclusive Premiere". billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  2. ↑ Madden, Josh (2013-10-03). "JUNIOR PROM "SHEILA PUT THE KNIFE DOWN"". nylonguysmag.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Steadman, Richie (2014-05-15). "JUNIOR PROM". www.Meetthebands.com/. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Brooklyn Outfit Junior Prom Releases Single "Sheila Put The Knife Down" Off Forthcoming Debut EP -- in Preparation for First East Coast Tour, Hitting CMJ Music Marathon". www.MarketWired.com/. Market Wired. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Wunsch, Jessica (2014-04-14). "5 Things You Need To Know About Junior Prom". Vibe.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Junior Prom". bellusmagazine.com/. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (2014-02-03). "Junior Prom's 'Junior Prom' EP: Exclusive Premiere". billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  8. ↑ MANDERS, HAYDEN (2014-04-05). "Junior Prom's New Music Video Is One Heck Of A Sweaty Dance Party". refinery29.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "Brooklyn Outfit Junior Prom Releases Single "Sheila Put The Knife Down" Off Forthcoming Debut EP -- in Preparation for First East Coast Tour, Hitting CMJ Music Marathon". MarketWired.com. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Junior Prom Joins Summer Tour W/ Bear Hands & Total Slacker". Bust Magazine. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  11. ↑ Elektra Web Crew (2014-07-25). "Junior Prom Touring With Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness This Fall". elektra.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  12. ↑ W, Karly (2014-04-22). "Music from Faking It *Premiere*". MTVSoundtrack. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  13. ↑ W, Karly (2014-05-06). "Music From Awkward: Season 4, Episode 4". MTVSoundtrack. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  14. ↑ Pharms, Gabrielle Nicole (2014-02-10). "Life+Times Premiere: Junior Prom "Sheila Put The Knife Down" (Com Truise Remix)". Life + Times. Retrieved 11 September 2014.

External links