Colony grad leads band in new directions

Colony grad Matt Hopper's musical dream is starting to come true.

Hopper is the longtime frontman of the many incarnations of "The Roman Candles." His band recently released "Bang, Bang, Bang" and is playing at the Alaska State Fair this year. It is the start to a very busy schedule for the band.

Hopper said the band has been selling the CD at a brisk pace.

He has been busy restocking music stores in Anchorage, he said.

On Aug. 28, The Roman Candles play the Alaska State Fair with X-Nilo and Anatomy of a Ghost, a Valley-based band that has hit it big in Portland.

Following the fair, The Roman Candles are heading out for a two-week West Coast tour with Anatomy of a Ghost, Fear Before the March of Flames and The School Play. Following the tour, The Roman Candles are heading out to New York City alone.

In September, the band is embarking on a new project, Hopper said.

Shooting for the video "Working the Kinks Out" is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 8. The band is working with award-winning film director Sean Morris on the project.

People can catch the band locally on Aug. 30 at Mead's Coffeehouse.