In a world aching for a return to the intrinsically human tradition of storytelling and a melodic, uplifting reprieve through challenging times, Chicago’s modern rock trio Emitter deliver on their powerful new album “Extra Pale”. With a bright, kaleidoscopic sonic breadth, the guitar heavy grooves and driving rhythms provide a launching pad for Jason Chappell’s distinctly original powerhouse vocals. Deeply soulful, somber at times, but most of all resilient, this is true to life rock n’ roll that sounds both classic and immediate. “Extra Pale”, due for release April 17th, is infused with meaning and swagger. Fans of artists ranging from The Counting Crows to the Foo Fighters will find ample ammunition here. The partnership of Jason Chappell (vocals/guitar), Steven Van Der Griend (guitar), David Schoon (bass) and Edd Merkel (drums) here becomes a force of rock greater than the sum of it’s parts.
“Extra Pale is unfinished business for us. We made this record ourselves, just the three of us calling the shots, writing it, producing it, playing everything except the drums. It sat on a hard drive for almost 20 years, and we realized we owed it to each other to let it breathe. Working with Marc Daniel Nelson was the final piece. He gave these songs the sound they always deserved. At this point in our lives, it just felt right to finally let it out into the world.”
“This record is about brotherhood and grit. We went into the Pop Machine in Indianapolis years ago with Marc and Eric Johnson and built something we believed in. We played nearly every note ourselves, with Kenny Aronoff laying down the foundation on drums. Life happened, and the album never came out. Twenty years later, we realized we weren’t done with it.”
“It’s not about chasing anything now. It’s about sharing something we’re proud of.”
Real artists creating real art in a time when many phone it in. Not only was “Extra Pale” originally recorded at The Pop Machine in Indianapolis with Marc and Eric Johnson, but it will also be available on limited release vinyl. This is Emitter’s first full-length release since their beginnings in the early 2000’s. The band will be celebrating the album release with a sold out show April 18th at Haymarket in Chicago.
Musician Names/Instruments: Jason Chappell – Vocals and guitar, Steven Van Der Griend – Guitar, David Schoon – bass, Edd Merkel – drums
Producer Name(s): David Schoon, Steven Dale (Van Der Griend)
Tracklist: Carried Away, The Way It Is, Take A Drive, Adelaide, Through, Gone, Maria, Ghosts, Every Now and Then
Websites:
Official Website: http://emitteronline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581440313248
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emittermusic/
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1c0yHgF8txgvb4nXGGiP2A?si=noU6rqM2ReaPXKSMF4A4kQ
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EmitterMusic1
- Originally recorded at The Pop Machine in Indianapolis with Marc and Eric Johnson
- Features legendary Indiana native Kenny Aronoff on drums
- Mixed by Marc Daniel Nelson, whose credits include Fleetwood Mac, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
- Entirely written, produced and performed by the three members of Emitter
- Recorded nearly 20 years ago and finally released as “unfinished business”
- First full-length Emitter release since the band’s early 2000s run
- Emitter previously achieved a #1 radio single in 2003 with “White Trash Town”
- “Love You More” was featured in the film Dog Gone Love
- Pressing available on vinyl for the first time
- 2026 performances to follow release
Artist Biography:
Formed in 2000, Emitter quickly carved out a place in the national rock landscape. Their breakout single White Trash Town lit up main-stream radio in 2003, gaining coast-to-coast airplay and catching the attention of major labels. Atlantic Records courted the band heavily, positioning Emitter as one of music’s next big stories. Around the same time, Love You More (from their self-titled debut) found a second life on the silver screen, featured in the motion picture Dog Gone Love.
Riding this wave of momentum, Emitter entered the renowned Pop Machine Studio in Indianapolis in 2005 with producers Eric Klee and Marc Johnson to record a full-length album. With legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff on board, the band captured a set of songs that reflected both their grit and their ambition.
But just as the record was poised for release in 2006, the broader music industry began to collapse. Label budgets shrank, management teams faltered, and the funding behind this project evaporated. The album was shelved, and the band’s momentum stalled — one more casualty of an ailing industry in transition.
Years later, founding members David Schoon and Steven Dale purchased the unfinished masters from the Johnson brothers. They completed the tracking, oversaw the mix, and brought the music back to life. Now, two decades after its intended debut, we present Extra Pale — a time capsule of what Emitter truly was and still is…
