Late Night Alumni
Encyclopedia
Late Night Alumni is a US house
group composed of Ryan Raddon (Kaskade
), Finn Bjarnson, John Hancock, and vocalist Becky Jean Williams. They are primarily known for mixing dance music with strings and soft trance
-like vocals from lead singer Becky Jean Williams.
) in the summer of 2003. “I had just been given a local Christmas CD that I had produced a couple tracks for,” Finn recalls, “and as I was listening through the tracks, there she was! Her beautiful voice and style immediately struck me.” A couple of phone calls later and they were in the studio together for the first time. “I had worked up this song called ‘Empty Streets’ and wanted to try her voice out on it...” Finn continues, “and it took off from there!”
Finn had already been working in the studio with Ryan Raddon (aka Kaskade
), and soon Finn, Ryan, and Becky formed Late Night Alumni. In 2004, Hed Kandi
made an offer to license and release a full length Late Night Alumni album. “At that point,” Finn says, “I knew the band was not ready. We were missing an element.” That missing element turned out to be John Hancock; a talented local producer with whom Finn had been trying to “find an excuse” to work with for years. The band was complete and hard at work at the debut Late Night Alumni album; mixing electronic and organic elements for a unique brand of chill that is easily distinguishable in today’s down tempo house music scene.
Empty Streets
was released in September, 2005. Around the same time, Hed Kandi was bought out by Ministry of Sound
and the album got shelved. However, despite lack of support from the group's record label, it soon grew into an underground classic.
The single of the same name received massive support in both clubs and on radio, getting Top Ten Radio Play in the UK and U, and reaching #1 in Spain. “Empty Streets” has also been licensed to commercials including a spot for the Toyota IQ. In addition, more than a dozen dance compilations have licensed the track, and it remains the most popular and downloaded song on Tiesto’s “In Search Of Sunrise” compilation.
Also, two of Late Night Alumni's songs, "Uncharted" and "You Can Be the One" have been featured in a new Steve Carell
movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. which released on 29th June, 2011.
, was released as a digital download on November 3, 2009, with the physical CD released on February 2, 2010 on Ultra Records
. On September 1, 2009, the group released "You Can Be The One," their first single from the album, which was available on Beatport & iTunes. This single was followed up with a remix by Sultan & Ned Shepard, which was released on September 23, 2009.
A music video for a live rendition of "You Can Be The One" was recorded at Velour in Utah. It features four violinists along with the four members of Late Night Alumni. Fans are comparing the video to Kaskade's live version of "4AM," which also features Becky Jean Williams on lead vocals and Finn Bjarnson on guitar.
An acoustic version of a song titled, "Golden," on their upcoming album was posted on their YouTube channel. Another live version of a new track, "What's In A Name," was also posted onto their channel.
Two singles have been released so far, It's Not Happening and Main Street.
The song In The Ashes was also well received, and is a fan favorite.
Empty Streets
I Knew You When
Another Chance (Kaskade Remix)
You Can Be The One
You Can Be The One (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix)
Finally Found
Finally Found (Extended Mixes)
Label - Catalog Number
Hed Kandi - HEDK12013
Quiet City Recordings - QCR002SV
Quiet City Recordings - QCR008
Ultra Records - UL2202
Ultra Records - UL2256
Ultra Records - UL2363
Ultra Records - UL2366
Release Date
September 2005
April 17, 2006
September 24, 2008
September 1, 2009
September 23, 2009
December 22, 2009
January 19, 2010
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
group composed of Ryan Raddon (Kaskade
Kaskade
Ryan Raddon , better known by his stage name Kaskade, is an American DJ and record producer. On October 20, 2011, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records Kaskade placed at #30...
), Finn Bjarnson, John Hancock, and vocalist Becky Jean Williams. They are primarily known for mixing dance music with strings and soft trance
Trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
-like vocals from lead singer Becky Jean Williams.
Biography
Finn Bjarnson stumbled upon Becky Jean Williams (sister to R. John Williams, the lead singer of Faded Paper FiguresFaded Paper Figures
Faded Paper Figures is an American Indie Pop Electronica band from Los Angeles, California. FPF is known for their electro-organic sound sometimes compared to bands and artists like Weevil, The Postal Service, Belle and Sebastian, Owl City , Lights and Morrissey. The band consists of three...
) in the summer of 2003. “I had just been given a local Christmas CD that I had produced a couple tracks for,” Finn recalls, “and as I was listening through the tracks, there she was! Her beautiful voice and style immediately struck me.” A couple of phone calls later and they were in the studio together for the first time. “I had worked up this song called ‘Empty Streets’ and wanted to try her voice out on it...” Finn continues, “and it took off from there!”
Finn had already been working in the studio with Ryan Raddon (aka Kaskade
Kaskade
Ryan Raddon , better known by his stage name Kaskade, is an American DJ and record producer. On October 20, 2011, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records Kaskade placed at #30...
), and soon Finn, Ryan, and Becky formed Late Night Alumni. In 2004, Hed Kandi
Hed Kandi
Hed Kandi is an UK-based record label and a music brand which was established in 1999 by Mark Doyle, specialising in funky, soulful house music. Hed Kandi's catalogue includes both artist albums and various genres of club compilations. As well as producing music albums and compilations, Hed Kandi...
made an offer to license and release a full length Late Night Alumni album. “At that point,” Finn says, “I knew the band was not ready. We were missing an element.” That missing element turned out to be John Hancock; a talented local producer with whom Finn had been trying to “find an excuse” to work with for years. The band was complete and hard at work at the debut Late Night Alumni album; mixing electronic and organic elements for a unique brand of chill that is easily distinguishable in today’s down tempo house music scene.
Empty Streets
Empty Streets
-External links:* on Discogs...
was released in September, 2005. Around the same time, Hed Kandi was bought out by Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
and the album got shelved. However, despite lack of support from the group's record label, it soon grew into an underground classic.
The single of the same name received massive support in both clubs and on radio, getting Top Ten Radio Play in the UK and U, and reaching #1 in Spain. “Empty Streets” has also been licensed to commercials including a spot for the Toyota IQ. In addition, more than a dozen dance compilations have licensed the track, and it remains the most popular and downloaded song on Tiesto’s “In Search Of Sunrise” compilation.
Also, two of Late Night Alumni's songs, "Uncharted" and "You Can Be the One" have been featured in a new Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. which released on 29th June, 2011.
Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Etc. (2009 Album)
Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Etc., the follow-up album to Empty StreetsEmpty Streets
-External links:* on Discogs...
, was released as a digital download on November 3, 2009, with the physical CD released on February 2, 2010 on Ultra Records
Ultra Records
Ultra Records is an American independent electronic dance music record label. Ultra was formed in New York City in 1995 by former Polygram and Virgin Records executive Patrick Moxey, who is still currently the owner...
. On September 1, 2009, the group released "You Can Be The One," their first single from the album, which was available on Beatport & iTunes. This single was followed up with a remix by Sultan & Ned Shepard, which was released on September 23, 2009.
A music video for a live rendition of "You Can Be The One" was recorded at Velour in Utah. It features four violinists along with the four members of Late Night Alumni. Fans are comparing the video to Kaskade's live version of "4AM," which also features Becky Jean Williams on lead vocals and Finn Bjarnson on guitar.
An acoustic version of a song titled, "Golden," on their upcoming album was posted on their YouTube channel. Another live version of a new track, "What's In A Name," was also posted onto their channel.
Haunted (2011 Album)
Haunted was released as a digital download on February 8, 2011. During the recording process, the group hoped to create a different dynamic by physically working together through most of the process rather than being isolated and using electronic communication methods to collaborate. The name of the album was inspired by ideas of being haunted by nostalgia and memories from the past while dealing with change in the present, although the old character of the undisclosed location in Salt Lake City where they recorded may have also influenced the title.Two singles have been released so far, It's Not Happening and Main Street.
The song In The Ashes was also well received, and is a fan favorite.
Albums
- 2005 - Empty StreetsEmpty Streets-External links:* on Discogs...
- 2009 - Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Etc.
- 2011 - Haunted
Singles/EPs
TitleEmpty Streets
I Knew You When
Another Chance (Kaskade Remix)
You Can Be The One
You Can Be The One (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix)
Finally Found
Finally Found (Extended Mixes)
Label - Catalog Number
Hed Kandi - HEDK12013
Quiet City Recordings - QCR002SV
Quiet City Recordings - QCR008
Ultra Records - UL2202
Ultra Records - UL2256
Ultra Records - UL2363
Ultra Records - UL2366
Release Date
September 2005
April 17, 2006
September 24, 2008
September 1, 2009
September 23, 2009
December 22, 2009
January 19, 2010