As millions of people walked the streets of Cincinnati to experience the lights and sounds of BLINK, some of the lucky on-lookers may have walked across the performance of Cincinnati based indie rock band Carriers.

Created around lead singer and songwriter Curt Kiser’s heartland inspired synth rock, Carriers has garnered some attention from critics for their dreamy and cosmic sound. On the bands debut album, “Now Is The Time For Loving Me, Yourself & Everyone Else,” which Kiser took time creating, since the bands inception was back in 2014. 

With the help of The National drummer Bryan Devendorf, and John Curley of The Afghan Whigs Kiser’s 9-track album is one of the most beautiful albums of 2019 and a true showcase of the evolution of Cincinnati music of the past 30 years. 

At first the obvious influences are there from, The War on Drugs, Sonic Youth to Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’ which directly influences the sound of Adam Granduciel (The War on Drugs). But live the band seems to be picking from a plethora of some of rocks greatest acts. With dueling guitars that when given time to explore the space invoke sounds of the Grateful Dead, to the use of effects that made the Cure and U2 sound so unique.

What really comes through the grandiose sound of Carriers, is Kiser’s songwriting and the optimism towards life and the journey that it is. Patience is not only the name of the first track off the album but it is also Kiser’s outlook on life and being accepting of what comes with it. And at a time like this we could all use an album that looks for the positives in life and an understanding of patience. 

‘Patience’ is also how the band began their set at Findlay Market, the six-and-a-half-minute song is almost a mission statement for Kiser and company and a sign for what the show was going to be. 

Even without Devendorf and Curley actually being there, you can clearly hear their sound and influence on Carriers from the unique drumming style of Devendorf’s, to just simply the refinement of the sound that Curley brings to the studio. 

It’s funny seeing a band like this play a stage so small at Findlay Market in the middle of a festival like BLINK. Carriers sound asks for a stage like the Taft Theatre, or the main stage at The National’s Homecoming Fest (which hopefully will return soon). Its so big and majestic that it needs a much bigger canvas to paint this picture than a crammed stage at Findlay. Still it is cool for everyone who was there to say they saw Carriersplay on a stage like that, because surely this album and band will grow in popularity fast. 

Carriers are planning a tour of West Coast tour dates and major cities, so next time they’re in town they are a must see.