It all started with a class assignment at Baltimore City’s Maryland Institute College of Art.
That’s where five acquaintances who seemed to have little in common except their passion for creativity and choice of school met and formed a band. Three years later, the band that became known as Ponytail is poised to begin a world tour and take its place in line as the next likely break-out band from Baltimore.
“When we did our first album, we had a keyboard player and our sound was a lot noisier, and it was all pretty wild,” said guitarist Ken Seeno. “Now it’s become a lot more focused … more unified.”
That focus and the resulting stabilization — both of the band’s sound and lineup — caught the attention of many in the music community.
“Baltimore has a lot of great local music,” said electronics player Nathan Burazar of the hardcore/jam band Tussle, based in San Francisco.
“Ponytail just has an amazing sound.”
Seeno demurs a bit when talk turns to signing with a major label and national prominence. The band started as a class project, and in a way, is part of a bigger project now in the Baltimore area where local musicians know and support each other.
“We’re close to a lot of other Baltimore bands. Early on, they inspired us to play out,” said Seeno.
“A lot of them are [doing national and international] tours right now, but we’re still close. We are friends.”
But back to Ponytail. Seeno said what started as a collaborative effort among equals has remained that way, with each of the four members writing parts of the songs before blending them to form Ponytail’s punk/pop/electronica sound.
“We all listen to weird stuff,” said Seeno of the band’s influences. “Now we’re into more melodic stuff. But our sound is still high energy, bouncy. It really reflects our thoughts about music and this band.”
IF YOU GO
Ponytail with Don Caballero
- Venue: Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St., Baltimore
- When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
- Tickets: $10 Adv., $12 DOS
- Info.: 410-783-7888
