Muen Magazine

Aaron Nordstrom

GEMINI SYNDROME

By: Scott Schoenkopf

The melody, harmony and range of Aaron Nordstrom’s voice, as well as his songwriting, is a reflection of Nordstrom as a person.  The front man for Los Angeles’ Gemini Syndrome is a key factor in the sensation that the band is causing in Southern California and beyond.

At first glance, the 28 year old vocalist raised in Chicago, commands attention.  Born with Albinism, his white hair and tattoos may cause some pre-conceived notions…until you hear him sing or even talk to him.  I took the opportunity to do just that; talk to him.

Many fans may recognize him as the former guitarist of OTEP, which was subsequent to his vocal role in Synapse as well as guitarist in another project, Anome. He truly is the epitome of the cliché that he could sing before he could talk.  Although a product of a musical family, whose mother was a singer of big band, jazz and gospel, music wasn’t pushed on him as much as it was just what came naturally.  Children for the most part “feel” music at a young age, some dance to it, but Aaron harmonized to the songs on the car radio as early as 2 years old.  Of course, hearing his mother sing all the time, it seems like a natural progression of sorts.  Yet, just because you have those influences doesn’t necessarily mean that is where your talents lie.  Vocally trained by operatically gifted vocal coach, Ann Perillo, who has toured with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, while at the same time taking piano lessons, where his musical talents manifested instrumentally; Nordstrom was immersed in music as a youth.  While he would sing back-up vocals, and in choirs growing up as well as a vocal group for hire to deliver singing telegrams, he never saw himself as a front man, be it out of fear or just not seeing himself in that light, until he came to Los Angeles at the age of 21.  A student of Musicians Institute (MI) and looking for a bassist and a singer for his band, Nordstrom was poignantly asked by a friend, “Who do you trust more than anyone?” The expected response from Nordstrom elicited the rhetorical question, “Then why would you trust the vocals for your band to anyone but yourself when you have something to say?”

Perhaps not widely recognized, the screams of metal are an art form in itself and something you must learn.  Influenced by bands like Mudvayne and American Head Charge, Aaron started taking lessons to add that scream to his proverbial vocal tool-belt.  Since he has been in Los Angeles, he has been under the tutelage of Carol Rogers, who serves as his vocal coach.  Among other influences in his progression as a rock vocalist, a huge impact on him was Maynard James Keenan (Tool).  While you can easily hear similarities between Nordstrom and Maynard vocally at different points, Nordstrom clearly has set himself as merely influenced by the rock legend and in no way an imitator.  Additional influences he cites in his development include the late Jeff Buckley, Imogen Heap, Sade and Motown artists like Boyz II Men, who brought harmonization back to the limelight, in addition to the rock/metal influences that include metal legends Pantera.  This all-over-the-map range of influences contributes heavily to his unique vocal styling.  While Gemini Syndrome has made a huge splash in Los Angeles and soon to be nationally/globally, when you first hear them you are drawn in by Nordstrom’s diverse voice.  The melody and rhythm are hypnotic and soothing yet always retain a bit of an edge as the cleanliness of his pitch preface still legible and perfectly placed screams.

As much as his voice can be heard in the excellence of Gemini Syndrome, the instruction by GS producer Mikey Doling for Aaron to “find his voice” shouldn’t be without merit.  If he were a solo performer, it is common practice for producers or management to hold back the performer; however, with a band, while the release of the talent as a whole may be measured, Doling recognized the immeasurable value to having each member, none less than Nordstrom, bring their “A” game…the range of pitch, the melody and harmony, the growls and screams.  The entire catalog of Gemini’s debut record really pushed Aaron to what would seemingly be his vocal limits.  Yet, through performing those songs repeatedly over the last 7 months, he feels his throat has gotten stronger than ever and has added at least a ½ octave to his range.

A challenge in writing songs is not only writing a song that connects with people, regardless of what the writer was thinking when he wrote it; but also, the right lyrics and timing that fit the voice of the vocalist.  Aaron Nordstrom is a brilliant songwriter.  The first single released by Gemini Syndrome is “Basement” and when you listen to the lyrics almost anyone that has gone through youth can identify with the message, the awkwardness of finding your identity in life, being different, would seemingly be the message of the listener; which is accurate; however, for Nordstrom the lyrics take on a very personal meaning, as his youth, the lack of self esteem and feeling different was amplified with his Albinism.

It is quite common for songwriters to write about personal experiences, whether their own or those around them.  In my humble opinion those vocalists that do write/sing about their own thoughts and real life experiences seemingly put more passion behind their lyrics and it shines through in their live performance.  Through knowing Nordstrom, it is quite evident that he delivers the same devotion to his lyrics that he retains in his soul.  His songs all have a personal flavor to them and I have yet to see him perform his songs without equal vehemence, whether before 10 people of 1,000.  At times, the delivery of his vocals seems so angry, which may be the acquiescent emotion that captures his lyrical expression; however, Aaron, the person is far from angry.  A predominantly docile, genuine man (except maybe for the moments just prior to a show), it takes a simple conversation with him to realize the emotion of his lyrics are straight from his inner being.  It is the music and the paroxysm delivery that serve as an outlet to express the fury of emotions that boil inside Nordstrom and Gemini Syndrome. Having that creative outlet is invaluable.  While as a whole many may think they are full of rage, it is quite the opposite.  Just like with Nordstrom, they are a conglomeration of superb musicians, as well as a group of the most intelligent and nicest guys.  Perhaps it is the fact they all live together, that they rub off on each other or that lends to the chemistry they have in the studio or on the stage.

Since they came out of the gate swinging and so widely received, with appeal across genres, the band as a whole has the freedom to really explore the gamut of what they can do creatively.  They are not pigeon-holed into making metal records and can test the limits of what they can accomplish musically.  They are already in discussions of what they may want to experiment with in future albums.  If they want to put out an EP of acoustic material, they have that option and undoubtedly would do it well.  They can put out an album of pure American metal jams and they would knock it out of the park.  Pretty sure that if they wanted to put out a hip-hop album, they could do that too.  With Aaron’s wide range of influences both vocally and musically, there is no question that whatever Gemini Syndrome does, he will be the best possible vocalist for each respective style. Each individual of the band has such a variety of influences to draw from and each are so talented in their respective role, none less than Nordstrom, that they come together to create the perfect musical storm.

It may have taken that storm for Nordstrom to truly realize that he is the embodiment of a front man. Although the music alone sets Gemini Syndrome apart from the norm, the additional layer of Aaron’s multi-faceted vocals really vaults the band into a league that will soon be realized.  It is the music coupled with their live performance that will catapult them, no performance more than Nordstrom.  With his incredible voice and the memorable white hair and looks, who better to be leading the way for the band than Aaron Nordstrom.