YACHT ROCK REVUE Release TWO Original Singles Today (May 24)
YACHT ROCK REVUE
RELEASE DOUBLE SINGLES
“TROPICAL ILLUSION”
— FEATURING ELLIOT LURIE OF LOOKING GLASS —
AND
“PASSENGERS”
NATIONAL 44-CITY SUMMER TOUR
WITH TRAIN AND REO SPEEDWAGON
KICKS OFF JULY 8
Above: Yacht Rock Revue
Credit: Perry Julien Photography
NASHVILLE, TN (May 24, 2024) — Today, masters of smooth groove Yacht Rock Revue release two original tracks: “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers.” Deemed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” these musical alchemists introduce sun-soaked anthems in the 21st century.
LISTEN / SHARE “TROPICAL ILLUSION” and “PASSENGERS” HERE.
Arriving just in time for the commencement of “Yacht Rock season,” these melodies are poised to provide the perfect soundtrack for waterfronts throughout the entirety of the Memorial Day weekend. The double single also sets the tone for more original music to come from Yacht Rock Revue, culminating in a project that will serve as the sonic backdrop for sunsets and ocean breezes — embodying the essence of embracing life’s simple pleasures.
“Tropical Illusion” — co-written and featuring Elliot Lurie from the legendary band Looking Glass along with Nicholas Niespodziani, lead vocalist of Yacht Rock Revue — pays homage to the 1972 Memorial Day weekend success of Looking Glass’s groundbreaking hit, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).” Regarded as the inaugural Yacht Rock anthem, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” soared up the charts during that holiday weekend, and Yacht Rock Revue’s “Tropical Illusion” further encapsulates that serene, laidback love song.
“The best escape isn’t a place — it’s escaping into a feeling with someone you love, and that’s what ‘Tropical Illusion’ is about,” Nicholas Niespodziani explains. “I collaborated on this song with Elliot from Looking Glass, known for writing and being the lead vocalist on ‘Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl).’ The song got its start when we played a show together in Jamaica, and I think you can hear that tropical vibe in the track.”
Speaking on the collaboration, Elliot Lurie elaborates, “I played my first gig with Yacht Rock Revue about 12 years ago. I didn’t know who they were then, but there were 5,000 people in a park in Atlanta groovin’ to a killer band. I sang Brandy with them and I was an instant YRR fan. It’s great to now have co-written a tune with Nick for their new album.”
Above: Elliot Lurie onstage with with Yacht Rock Revue; Credit: Yacht Rock Revue
L-R: Nicholas Niespodziani and Elliot Lurie
To further rejoice in the “Tropical Illusion” release, the band recreated the classic Second City Television sketch, shot-for-shot, which originally found actor Rick Moranis portraying Michael McDonald. Watch Yacht Rock Revue’s recreation here and the original version which aired in 1981 here. Watch Michael McDonald recall seeing the sketch for the first time here. “We’ve been obsessed with this sketch since the earliest days of Yacht Rock Revue,” says Nicholas Niespodziani. “I was working on the mix to ‘Tropical Illusion,’ and it just felt right to crank the shaker on the chorus. That got my mind going on how we would perform it live, and out of the breezy corner of my yacht rock brain the SCTV sketch resurfaced. It felt like the perfect way to connect our new single to the lineage of Yacht Rock.”
“Passengers,” which acts as the B-side to “Tropical Illusion,” effortlessly glides through waves of nostalgia, embodying the quintessential windows-down anthem for carefree summer days. Ethereal vocals and dreamy guitar melodies intertwine with rhythmic drum beats, enchanting listeners with fleeting moments of pure bliss.
“‘Passengers’ is a song about how sometimes you’re just ready to let someone else take the wheel for a while. And sometimes when you let go in that profound way, it takes you back to the place you’ve been trying to get to,” Nicholas elaborates. “So much of what we do as a band is wrapped up in memory and nostalgia, this is the currency we trade in — which makes this song as authentic to our band vibe as you can get!”
Above: Single artwork for “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers”
Earlier this year, Yacht Rock Revue revealed they will be joining iconic hitmakers Train and REO Speedwagon as direct support for this summer’s co-headlining tour — the Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour. The 44-city tour kicks off on July 8 in Somerset, WI at Somerset Amphitheater, making stops in Chicago, Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up on September 11 in Phoenix, AZ at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.
Nicholas Niespodziani expresses excitement, stating, “Every song by all three bands is gonna be a raucous sing-along! Holy sh*t that’s a lot of hit songs in one lineup. As a singer, I’m excited to watch Kevin Cronin and Patrick Monahan every night. Those guys are both wildly talented vocalists and I’m gonna soak in as much wisdom and technique and as many crowd control tactics as I can.”
Sarah Bahr of The New York Times reported her firsthand experience of the band’s liberating energy, observing fans who “danced for two hours to tunes from the 1970s and ’80s,” while Entertainment Weekly noted that “the shows tend to be unabashedly joyous affairs.”
The powerhouse 10-piece ensemble — Nicholas Niespodziani (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion), Peter Olson (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion), Greg Lee (Bass, Vocals), Mark Dannells (Guitars, Vocals), Mark Bencuya (Keyboards, Vocals), David B. Freeman (Saxophones, Keyboards, Flute, Piccolo, Percussion, Vocals), Keisha Jackson (Vocals, Percussion), Kourtney Jackson (Vocals, Percussion), Jason Nackers (Drums), Ganesh Giri Jaya (Drums) — are more than just a tribute band; they are musical alchemists, seamlessly blending their own unique style with the iconic yacht rock vibe.
CATCH YACHT ROCK REVUE LIVE:
For all Yacht Rock Revue shows and to purchase tickets, visit their website here.
Inspired by the golden era of soft rock, Yacht Rock Revue has mastered the art of recreating the breezy and laid-back tunes that defined a generation. Since their formation in 2007, the band has amassed a devoted following, drawing fans from all walks of life to their extraordinary live performances. Their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to authenticity transport audiences to an era when yacht parties and smooth sailing were the norm. Whether you’re a longtime aficionado of the yacht rock era or a newcomer to its smooth grooves, Yacht Rock Revue promises an unforgettable journey across the azure waters of musical history. So, don your captain’s hat and set sail with Yacht Rock Revue for a melodic adventure like no other.
Beyond the stage, Yacht Rock Revue’s infectious energy extends to their fans, creating a community that celebrates the joy of music and the timeless allure of yacht rock. Their concerts transcend mere shows; they are immersive experiences leaving audiences yearning for more. The “Anchorheads” fan base holds a special place in the Yacht Rock Revue family, as Nicholas praises, “They’re wonderful people, musical omnivores and exactly the kind of fans you dream about having when you’re a young musician.”
ABOUT YACHT ROCK REVUE:
Since 2007, Yacht Rock Revue has steered audiences through a melodic voyage of classic hits, founded in Atlanta, GA. The 10-piece ensemble, including Nicholas Niespodziani, Peter Olson, Greg Lee, Mark Dannells, Mark Bencuya, David B. Freeman, Keisha Jackson, Kourtney Jackson, Jason Nackers, and Ganesh Giri Jaya, infuse their unique styles with the iconic yacht rock vibe. They’ve shared stages with legends like Peter Beckett (Player), Steve Augeri (Journey), John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band), Robbie Dupree, Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass), and John Oates. In 2023, they embarked on a successful run with the legendary Kenny Loggins on his farewell tour, and in 2024, they’ll join Train and REO Speedwagon on the “Summer Road Trip” Tour. Beyond covers, their original music, exemplified by their debut album Hot Dads In Tight Jeans (2020), spans the genre’s timeless appeal. Their live album, Between the Moon and New York City, released on January 22, 2024, complements their PBS Special filmed on July 7, 2023. Having sold over 146,000 tickets in 2023, Yacht Rock Revue’s infectious energy extends to fans, fostering a community that celebrates music’s joy and yacht rock’s allure. They also support charitable causes like The Giving Kitchen and Hop on a Cure, spreading positive vibes beyond music.
Above: Yacht Rock Revue; L-R: Kourtney Jackson, Ganesh Giri Jaya, Peter Olson, Mark Bencuya, Nicholas Niespodziani, Jason Nackers, David B. Freeman, Mark "Monkeyboy" Dannells, Greg Lee, Keisha Jackson
Credit: Emily Butler Photography