A band with history and roots in the Finger Lakes has checked off another major accomplishment in their drive to keep performing.
The Alpha Fire, a local rock band based out of Rochester, won the Syracuse Showcase, within the Next2Rock competition. They competed against nine other bands in the contest sponsored by 95X and 105.9 The Rebel in Syracuse.
The Cumulus Media contest known as Next2Rock saw more than 65 entries from Upstate New York. The win in Syracuse now means Alpha Fire could be chosen to perform at the Viper Room in LA on December 12th to compete for a record deal with Big Machine Label Group and Cumulus Media.
The band told FL1 News that the win means a lot, and validates the time and effort spent cultivating and growing their music. The process is a grind, the band explained, which takes a toll on everyone involved. “Unfortunately, it involves sacrificing days off, time with family, and other elements of what most would call ‘normal life’,” explained the band.
Jon Lamanna, lead vocalist for The Alpha Fire said, “It feels great to be recognized as the regional winner, especially considering the amazing talent that we have in the 315.”
Lamanna says local support hasn’t been a struggle, though. “We’ve always been received with so much love and respect from people. It’s always great playing music where you were raised.”
The band noted that things feel like they are coming together. “We have been on the edge of something since we started this band, and it seems to be falling into place,” they added. “We’ve worked with some very accomplished and well known national musicians, yet never felt out of place or intimidated by them.”
Even after a big win like this one, motivation isn’t an issue for this group.
“We have a desire to be the first rock band from this area to really ‘make it’,” explained Lamanna. “We love the Finger Lakes and Central New York,” he continued. Part of that desire includes advocating for the growth and development of the region.
Check out The Alpha Fire on Facebook to follow their journey.
The Alpha Fire will also be hosting a CD release party for their new album “Embers” at FNA’s in Waterloo on December 16th.
