Benefit Show by Unificationist band Sail the Boat Garners News Coverage

The following article reprint, featured in the South Bergenite and NorthNewJersey.com, includes coverage of the Unificationist alternative rock band Sail the Boat, with one of its members—Glenn Haider, 23—set to attend the marriage ceremony known as the “Cosmic Blessing” with his bride-to-be in South Korea on Feb. 12. This article reprint features the band’s contribution to a concert for typhoon victims in the Philippines and schools in Africa. The article was published on January 9, 2014 and the original story can be read here.

Sail the Boat, an original band, helped typhoon victims in the Philippines and schools in Africa.The band is quietly racking up gigs all over the New York and New Jersey area. (Photo Courtesy of Glenn Haider.)

Carlsdtadt musicians Sail the Boat aid typhoon victims

By Kelly Nicholaides
Staff Writer

Alternative rock with a touch of pop and a nod to old school punk rock, Sail the Boat is a four-piece band with a four-song demo that covers everything from finding oneself and coming of age to reflecting on world events and social justice.

The band of 20-somethings includes Carlstadt resident and vocalist Glenn Haider, brothers Oji and Jr. Bahian on guitar and bass, and drummer Hyun Moraes. Bahian is from Edison, and Moraes is from Elizabeth, originally from Brazil.

The band met while performing praise and worship songs individually for the non-denominational Unification Church on 43rd and Fifth Avenue in New York City. “We said, ‘hey, we have some good chemistry. Let’s try to write our own music.’ We ended up writing one day and it all just clicked, so I said ‘I like where this is going’” Haider reflects.

The band is fresh off a benefit show for the typhoon victims in the Philippines, and for African schools. The Bahian brothers are from the Philippines. The band line up changed, with Haider replacing the original lead singer before the church pastor recommended that Haider join the Bahian brothers and Moraes. “We just vibed together,” Haider says. “It was the three of us and then Hyun came in.”

The odd name jives with the anything goes, nonchalant direction the band seems to exude.

“One day we were just driving to a church gig and talking about a band name we needed,” Haider says. “One of us said ‘Sail the Boat.’ It just grew on us,” Haider says.

Sail the Boat’s music is influenced by Kings of Leon, Young the Giant and Local Natives, Haider notes.

“Basically, we have two different styles,” Haider says. “I sit at home and write lyrics on my own to the music. The guys and I have an idea, and they could say ‘that’s really good, let’s do this.’ I’m good with words and melodies, chords and what not. They revamp ideas. That’s mainly how we’re doing it so far. We talk over different things, like what if we did it this way or that. There’s a lot of trial and error. The lyrics come later.”

A student at Montclair State University, Haider is studying sociology and also thinking majoring in music education.

“I love music, so I’ll be involved with it for the rest of my life, but I have a backup plan. And I also want to have a family, kids, not end up at the subway in New York at 45 playing music if something doesn’t pan out,” Haider says. “So I’m going for a little bit of my dream, and pushing for that, plus a little bit of reality to keep my options open.”

Their four song demo was recording at friend Lucas Tecun’s place last year.

“We did it our own way, went into a room and did four songs in 10 hours. We were learning at the same time, so it was a lot of fun we had with it. We used basic equipment, just wanted to get the sound out to kickstart us,” Haider says. The resulting four song demo is stripped down and passes the “turn it on in your car and drive” test for being listenable.

It’s Not Over has Haider singing about conflict and war, “rifles coming over the horizon, gunshots fired,” he proclaims.

Place is highly original, with some shades of early U2 era guitar sounds echo.

Man I Should Be proclaims “I should be hitting this road, lesson learned and be a man with dignity,” has some Clash influence, with a London Calling kind of hook, flawless drumming and excellent delivery.

Publicist and mom Claire Haider notes that the band is all about the music and giving back to their communities. The Bahian brothers, who emigrated from Philippines around six years ago, have Filipino friends and family affected by the disaster. Haider noted that although their friends and families survived, they were greatly affected.

“They knew in other cities of their country that friends were directly affected, and the fact that it was their country compelled us to do something for the cause,” Claire Haider explains.

The band got involved with the Women’s Federation for World Peace’s “Schools of Africa” project, which proceeds also went to aid typhoon victims. The band raised $1,500, and is donated through FICA (Filipino International Community of America) and the Red Cross Claire says.

“I have friends in the group, WFWP, and it’s a non-government organization with the United Nations. Last year, we did a benefit in New York, so this year we did New Jersey,” Claire says. “The group helps women in war-torn countries, particularly because sometimes men are not around, they’re living in poverty. Women from different parts of the world are helped, they’re fed, and schools are opened up in Africa. We help them with learning computer skills and sewing skills so can support their families.”

For more information on Sail the Boat, including upcoming gigs, visit their Facebook page or reverbnation/sailtheboat.

Article reprint courtesy of Sourth Bergenite.