Big Blue Marble
Bands like BBM are difficult to classify if you're the type that needs to put a label on a band like BBM.
Their delicate indie-pop melodies are not overly sophisticated, but are difficult to be ignored. They can switch gears seamlessly in and out of layered stadium-sized rock and intimate ballads, all taking place within the same song.
Guitarist and singer David Fera croons in a signature nasally, slow drawl over Beach Boy harmonies and playful synthesizers that aren't overbearing or tacky, filling in the spaces that need to be filled, just enough to leave you wanting a tiny bit more, but not too much.
While the songs are heavy, they're so bright, with soaring guitars dipped in just a touch of feedback, roaring over lap-steel, sounding as if they were soaked in whipped cream and frosting.
BBM is a band that you are familiar with as soon as the record starts, making that intimate connection a close bond, but distanced enough to keep you wondering. They are modern masters of the creation of consistent and unpretentious pop, similar to early Death Cab for Cutie efforts, but then again, it would be difficult to put a label on a band like BBM.
Big Blue Marble is David Fera on lead vocals and guitar, Ike Aguilar on lead guitar and vocals, Michael Blum on lap steel, Paul Chell on bass, and Mike Bradley on drums.
"rock ballad titled "Criminals" is a great blend of prominent vocals with killer riffs from guitarist Ike Aguilar, without being pretentious and perfect." SFStation
"Natchez is just as fully realized—indie rock with no shyness and strong pop sense—but it also has a healthy sense of privacy." Offbeat
"Big Blue Marble (BBM) has faced several challenges over the past two years, in large part caused by Hurricane Katrina. Despite this adversity, the band has managed to flourish, yielding a richer, more textured sound." Where Y’at
"Their damn-near-perfect live set is transferred to disc almost easily." Tiger Weekly
"In fact, this year is all about the hometown heroes for me, and I am always happy to see bands like Big Blue Marble, whose show environments are usually more cramped and nocturnal than the expansive, sun-drenched stages at City Park. They’re one of New Orleans’ best bands, and their collection of earthy rock tunes really strokes the more sensible and traditional side of my musical palette, kind of like a Port of Call burger." Dan Fox, Antigravity Magazine, on bbm's upcoming Voodoo Fest performance
