PUBLISHED: 02-09-09

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With The Atlantic Sky

A female lead singer might have been the only thing that No Doubt and Evanescence had in common, but it if wasn’t for these hardcore chicks, who knows if their groups could have received all the awards they did, and went as far as they did.

Following in their footsteps is The Atlantic Sky, a rock-pop sextet hoping to win over their fans with their intricate melodies, pop vocals and a female on the mic.

As if being a Chicago band wasn’t competitive enough, the gang is spreading the word about their band, everywhere from Chicago to St. Louis.

Comprised of vocalist and keyboardist Erin Albertson, vocalist Pat Hooper, guitarist Matt Hallermann, guitarist Ian O’Leary, bassist Dave Shale and drummer Bobby Costa, all but Albertson reside in St. Louis. They attend the University of Missouri, but Chicago is their hometown after recording their first self-titled EP in January.

The Chronicle caught up with Albertson, a junior music business major at Columbia, to talk about what it’s like being in a band with five guys, the complications of practicing and what’s next for the band.

The Chronicle: What bands influence you?
We’re all really different in that aspect, but our style right now is more of Circa Survive, Taking Back Sunday and Paramore. Our band is on the pop side, but we have really strong hooks, so that’s our main focus to make sure that our listeners can remember them and keep them in mind.

When did the band come together?
Over the summer [2008], Matt Hallermann and I worked on it. He was working for The Militia Group, an independent record label, and we met up there. We became best friends and started talking about getting a band together. He knew people from St. Louis, and I went to meet them and we all just clicked.

What is the best part about being in a band?
It’s the biggest adrenaline rush and the best feeling being on stage. I would rather do this than anything else in my life. I love every second of it, even though the business end is tough.

How do you practice if the rest of the members are in St. Louis?
It’s probably the hardest part of the band because I have to travel every weekend to St. Louis. I take the MegaBus with my keyboard, or they sometimes come here. The only thing that holds us back is the snow when they drive here. It’s worked out so far, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s one of those things where if we can make it, then that’s going to be amazing.

How is it for you being the only girl with five guys in a band?
It’s really fun. I feel like the mom. It’s awesome being in a band and feeling like you have five brothers. We feel like a family, and being able to say that I’m in a band with my five best friends is great and not a lot of people can say it.

What are some of your hopes for the band?
We want to expand our fanbase in the Midwest. Touring in the future, we got confirmed for the Vans Warped Tour this summer. We want to inspire kids, have fun at our shows and be role models. We try to write stuff so listeners will find a deeper meaning in our songs.

Catch The Atlantic Sky at Mojoe’s Rock House, 7537 W. 159th St., on Feb. 20. To listen to their latest EP and to find out more about the band, visit MySpace.com/TheAtlanticSky.

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