This was my first time seeing Skyfactor, a New York City acoustic rock band. They played a blinder of a gig at the infamous The Bitter End on Sat 1^st October. I was sent to interview the guys before their gig at 9pm, but being the ever enthusiastic gig-goer of course I got there early and enjoyed the 4 other artists who played before them. However, I immediately noticed the change in atmosphere when these guys grabbed their instruments and jumped on stage. The place got louder, more heads started to bop, and more eyes were fixed on the four New Yorkers rocking their simple but damn catchy melodies, which left most of us humming their songs on the train ride home.

Skyfactor formed on a rooftop in the East Village of New York City in 2004. Made up of longtime friends Bob Ziegler on vocals, Jon and Cliff Rubin (the siblings of the band) on guitar and bass, and drummer Jason Taylor. To compare Skyfactor’s sound to some early Counting Crows, The Connells, and Matchbox 20 would be fitting.

“The 90’s was probably the time when we all grew as musicians. Bands like Counting Crows or Pearl Jam, I feel like we took our cues from them, and maybe made it more of a pop oriented sound” – Jon Rubin, guitarist.

If you get the chance to catch Skyfactor, I say go for it! Apart from being really nice and funny guys, their music will put anybody in a good mood and have you humming for days.

- Michelle Ryan