Northern Faces Return to Dallas, Where They Got Their Big Shot

The band Northern Faces loves Dallas.

“We played our first real show of tour ever in Dallas," says vocalist and guitar player Brian Shortell. "It was at The Door with Say Anything back in 2013. It was a 1,000-plus person sellout show, the venue was packed, and I'll never forget the feeling of feeling like we finally had gotten our shot.”

Nearly five years later, Northern Faces is back with a new single, “Firecracker,” which has been lighting up on Spotify after being featured on New Music Friday.

“Firecracker” is an undeniably catchy tune that fuses funky rhythms with pop vocals, making for an incredibly fun four minutes that will have your body moving at the bar — or dancing in your car.

The single is the first from the band's new album, Fingers Crossed, which is set to be released on Equal Vision Records this summer. Northern Faces sought to put out the track that really seemed to connect with people.

“We actually had another single lined up to follow up on our first single, ‘Messin' With Me,’” Shortell says, “but once we started playing it live, the response we were getting to it every night was so overwhelmingly positive, we couldn't ignore it. It definitely still sounds like Northern Faces, but it's got a fresh take on our sound. It’s a good way to ease people into some of [the] places we went musically and lyrically on this album.”

Northern Faces' recent signing with Equal Vision Records has allowed it to explore these new lyrical and musical styles. The band went from playing only a handful of shows to traveling more than 200,000 miles across the U.S. and Canada in the last few years.

“We love what we do,” Shortell says, “and we've never been this excited about a new album. EVR shares that passion with us, and that's not something we take for granted.”

With the confidence of a new label, a new single and what is sure to be a great new album, Northern Faces is ready to bring its live show to Gas Monkey Bar & Grill this Saturday in support of Electric 6.

“Our live show is our pride and joy,” Shortell says, “and we work really hard to try and bring it 100 percent every night. Expect a lot of guitar and a lot of energy.”

The energy that Northern Faces expects to bring is one inspired by the high intensity of the headlining act, which they have toured with in the past.

“They've had some massive success, and it's super inspiring to see their work ethic in maintaining everything they worked so hard for," Shotell says. "It ended up being a great tour, and the crowds were really receptive. So when we got the offer to do another run with them, but in even bigger markets, it was an obvious yes.”

The band's return to Dallas has members excited about the prospect of returning to where it all started.

“The Say Anything show at The Door really felt like a defining moment for Northern Faces,” Shortell says. “Dallas will always hold a special place in our hearts because of that. Every time we're in town, we love hanging in Deep Ellum. Easily some of the best food, people and weather of any city in the country.”

Northern Faces plays Saturday at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill.