chris barron talks angels and one-armed jugglers, believes “ugly stuff can be beautiful too”

chris barron talks angels and one-armed jugglers, believes “ugly stuff can be beautiful too”

Chris Barron is one of the masterminds behind some of your favorite 90’s songs, as he is the lead singer of critically acclaimed four piece Spin Doctors. For years, he’s been honing his own solo sound alongside his work with the band, and has dabbled in working with other artists as well. He writes, plays, and goes about it all in a very unique, process-oriented way. In all reality, Chris Barron is the ideal musician in regards to talent, but he’s also a phenomenal and humble human being behind it all. We know, because we got the unique chance to ask him some questions in the thick of release week of his brand new album Angels And One-Armed Jugglers, which dropped on Friday.

Full to the brim of incredible artistry, Angels And One-Armed Jugglers travels into sound spaces and genres Barron isn’t necessarily known for, but pulls off entirely too well with the band he has assembled. Learn more about them – and Barron’s process – below, right after you check out the new album in its entirety!

What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?

I remember being very small, so small that I was about the same height as my parents stereo, holding myself up, my hand on the speaker, with Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock“ blasting out of it. I might’ve been in diapers. It made an impression on me because I still remember. It has to be one of my earliest memories.

Was there a moment that it struck you and you realized you were going to pursue music, or did it kind of slowly evolve?

When I was six years old, I saw Shirley Temple on our old Sony, black and white TV singing “The Good Ship Lollipop” and I was like, “I’m going to marry her and we are going to do that“. I didn’t know what “that” was. I didn’t know the difference between a singer, dancer, or an actor but I knew I wanted to perform. I always had a penchant for creative writing and when I learn some guitar, that evolved into song writing. I was also good at singing and my choir went to Europe to perform my sophomore year of high school. Being 16 years old, on tour in Europe just because I could sing galvanized forever my resolve to become a professional musician. I figured, if I could get myself across the ocean at 16 just because I could sing, I had a pretty good chance.

“Two Princes” was one of the first music videos I ever remember seeing, and I was ensnared by it every time it was on tv. How has your musical process changed and developed since then, both in your solo work and in collaborations? Is it much different?

I’ve always been very process oriented. When I write, I write in bulk, giving myself permission always to write the worst crap ever written. My thought is to get past the garbage and chatter to the creative part of my mind separating out the editing voice from the more instinctive creative voice. Later on in the process I rely heavily on the more analytical editing voice. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to refine my process and allow myself more and more to believe in it. After having a big hit with “Two Princes”, for a long time, I was concerned with repeating the success of that song. That was a handicap. Ever since I’ve been working my way back towards writing the way I wrote when I was a kid, using the same technique I used, really, to write “Two Princes” in the first place, that is, following my nose and giving myself permission, writing tons of stuff and being willing to throw most of it away, keeping the 1 or 2% that’s good and refining that.

I realize now that “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” were not only two of the most integral songs in my young life – the lyricism really got me into music in the first place – but they’re also enhanced by the undeniable vocal talent. Your voice IS the 90’s to me, and many others. How does it feel, knowing you’ve kind of encapsulated an entire decade for many?

Ha. There’ll be no living with me… I just feel lucky that I wrote a couple tunes that resonated with a lot of people. I worked hard on those songs and I work hard on the skills that enabled me to write them. It’s gratifying to be a part of people’s lives just by virtue of doing what I love to do. There were a lot of great bands in the 90s so I’m glad we stand out amongst them.

That being said, we know you have struggled with vocal cord paralysis. (That had to be terrifying, and we aren’t trying to hit any nerves here.) Has that changed your creative process over the years? Do you have any advice for people who may be struggling with similar vocal issues?

Yeah. That was bad. I’m one of those people, for better or for worse, who identifies very heavily with their profession. Losing my voice was an existential crisis for me. When I first got my voice back, the first time I lost it, I was afraid, and I did some pretty lousy work afterwards, trying to write hit songs so that I would have financial security if I ever lost my voice again. Then I was like, “Screw this, I’m going to write the kooky weird stuff I’ve always written. I don’t care if it sells.” That’s when I really started to hit a stride, creatively. This latest time losing my voice really put a fire in my belly to make this new record. You never know when you’re gonna lose your voice, get hit by a bus, or be abducted by aliens.

Your new album Angels and One-Armed Jugglers is about to hit the airwaves. Tell us a little bit about the title, and what inspired you to go in what seems to be a more theatrical and robust direction with this work as a whole.

I wrote the song, “Angels And One-Armed Jugglers” On the steering wheel of my Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, doing about 60 miles an hour across the 59th St. Bridge. (Do not try this at home)(Or on the 59th St. Bridge) I was thinking about my elderly neighbor Adelaide, who lived next door to me in the late 20th century. The songs on this record are from a tremendous cachet of material. I’m pretty prolific and I always have stuff that won’t work for the Spin Doctors. Once I came up with the title, I just started picking songs that were thematic. The more theatrical production comes from Roman Kuhn who produced the record and was really the impetus behind the scope of the recordings. Initially, I wanted to make a scaled down, acoustic record. He had a much larger vision for the songs and I think he was right to frame them more expansively.

For this release, you sought out some of the best studio musicians you could find. What was that process like for you?

The first guy wanted to use was Shawn Pelton. I’ve known him a long time and work with him before. After working with Aaron Comess for such a long time, I’m a bit of a drummer snob. Then I saw Jesse Murphy the bass player doing a gig with aaron and they grooved so well together, I knew I could play with Jesse. It turns out that Roman recommended him for that gig. I’ve played with almost everybody on the record before and they really complemented my songs by bringing their best efforts to the studio. They all played so beautifully.

The title track has a melancholic feel to it and, thusly, is an interesting way to begin this body of work. But it’s got this bittersweet beauty to it when you dig into the meaning of it all. How do you imagine people enjoying this track?

Songs are funny. When you write them, they kind of get up and walk away. You don’t really get to decide how people interpret them or enjoy them. They’re kind of like kids that way.

You were quoted saying that, at least partially, “thematically, [the album] is about the cocktail party at the apocalypse, the decline of the American empire and just a bunch of lemmings in neck-ties going over the edge.” Did you find that a lot of this work may have been inspired by political events, or does it mostly evade that facet of our society?

Life and art in a democracy is inherently political. I don’t really set out to write politically, but songs like, “Still A Beautiful World” and “Raining Again” touch on a worldview. Just the act of reaching into peoples lives, seeking to make them happy, and creating freely is political.

“Darken My Door” is so intrinsically beautiful. What inspired that track, specifically?

Ha. Being mad at an ex. The old standby song theme.

The track “Still A Beautiful World” is so important. Its message, its lyrical content. It makes us wonder… do you have a favorite space that you like to retreat to to experience beauty?

Lately I’ve been practicing guitar on a stool in front of my building in New York City. It’s not a particularly beautiful place but people walking by, the dogs, the strollers, my neighbors, they all make a choreography with the light, the bricks, and the fire escapes. The experience of beauty, the experience of anything really, is internal. Who’s to say were not all just brains in vats and some mad scientist is making us see everything we see? Beautiful stuff is beautiful but ugly stuff can be beautiful too. And sad stuff…

We are under the very strong impression that each track on this album holds a lot of meaning for you. Is there a song that is a standout for you personally?

That’s true. In terms of meaning, probably “Still A Beautiful World”. That song touches on our existence as a species, religion, and I got really lucky with a couple of those lines… that’s a pretty nice riff too.

Do you find that you are drawn more to songs that mirror your previous work, or are you more into creating something completely out of the indie rock box right now?

Really, don’t think that way. For me a song is a proposition. Get to the heart of the proposition, answer all the questions in an artful way, and you’ve written the song. I try not to set out to write something specific before hand.

If you could be any superhero – previously existing or otherwise – who would you be?

I think writing songs and singing is a bit of a superpower. I don’t think I would choose to be anyone but me.

If Angels And One-Armed Jugglers was a meal, what type of food would it be comprised of?

There was this tiny Cuban restaurant on 14th St. and seventh Avenue called the Sucelt Coffee Shop. This would be a meal from there.

You have so much touring experience from over the years. Any fun memories?

Opening for the Stones was nice. That was like going to rock ‘n’ roll graduate school.

Do you have any outstanding opinions of the music industry now, as you’ve seen it pivot quite a bit during your time as a musician?

A lot of people are making records now. There’s just much more music out there. It’s so cheap to make a record that anyone can make one now. I’m not sure that’s the best thing for music.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks!!!
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Angels And One-Armed Jugglers is out now via Chrysanthemum Records. Keep up with Chris Barron here and remain in touch with all things Spin Doctors here.

5j barrow talk “a new begin”, empowering loneliness, and a meet cute

5j barrow talk “a new begin”, empowering loneliness, and a meet cute

Today is a big day for earthy folk/indie rock collective 5j Barrow, the quartet comprised of Eryn Murman, Jason Hite, Drew Jones, and Gerard Canonico that once called Ohio, California, Tennessee, and New Jersey home. The musical (and romantic) duo of Murman and Hite found their way to music initially through the world of acting, so their romance was always steeped fully in the arts. Having just released their EP The Journey Vol. 1 on October 6th, they’re bathing in critical acclaim as they count down the days to their wedding next month. (Yeah, sometimes an EP release isn’t the biggest thing you do in a season!) And one can audibly notice why they’ve received so much attention, as the five track EP brings its own vibrant energy with it right through your speakers.

We were lucky enough to get a moment to chat with Eryn Murman herself, to delve into the story of 5j Barrow, and how they operate behind the scenes.

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What is the first album/song you remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?

My earliest memory of a song that really caught my ear was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” My mom would have the vinyl playing in our den and I would dance around to it. The first album that made an impression on me (and locked itself into my early childhood memories) was Billy Joel’s River of Dreams, my dad played the cassette in his car and I loved singing along, getting lost in the lyrics, melodies, and album art. Both of these artists made an impression on me in their incredible use of dynamics and storytelling.

What is the origin story of 5j Barrow? (Was it a meet cute?)

I never thought of it as a meet cute, but I guess it certainly was! Jason and I met as actors performing together in California. We immediately connected and our taste and love for music was definitely one of the big common denominators. I was temporarily in Cali (based in NYC at the time), and the opposite for Jason. He had planned to make the move to New York after our show. Within a couple of days of arriving in NYC, we wrote our first song in my apartment 5j (on Barrow Street). Within a month we had 5 songs and could tell something special was happening. We named our music and collaboration after this special place we wrote all of our first tunes. A little over a year of being band partners, we became romantic partners, a couple of years after that Jason moved into 5j, and now 6 years later we no longer live in NYC or in that apartment, but we most certainly carry on its name and story with us via our music. We’re now chasing our dream of touring our music and living on the road, and we are getting married next month!

The new EP is absolutely phenomenal, freeing and relaxing in its sound. How do you imagine people listening to it?

Wow, I love this question. Driving under the night sky (or any beautiful expansive sky) is one of my personal favorite ways to listen to music, albums particularly. Road trips, adventures and times in one’s life when they’re taking a risk or exploring a new path. I would be honored if our album was a soundtrack to that time in someone’s life.

We are enamored by “A New Begin”. What inspired that track, specifically?

Thank you! That song came from self reflection at a time in my life where I was happy, loved, and had a support system but would still have these moments of feeling completely alone. What surprised me more was that it was an empowering loneliness. An awareness and acceptance that when all is said and done I have no control in how long people will be in my life, what a new day will bring, or even when my own life will come to a close. Although it’s overwhelming to think about, I will always have myself and my breath to get through anything, and have the power to start anew at any moment.

New York City is such a big and terrifying place sometimes, and it’s beautiful when you find kindred spirits amongst the madness. You’re all from different places, and you found each other. But what do you think is the most magical thing about the city that brought you together?

You’re so right. It blows my mind when I think of where we all came from and how in the world we all ended up in this band together! NYC certainly gave all of us the realization, conviction, perseverance and strength to go after our dream. It’s so hard to make anything happen in this city with everyone’s crazy schedules, so to take the time to build a band, nurture it, and grow it – it became very clear that we really wanted to do this. I feel like if there are any doubts in your mind, the city makes things too difficult to put up with the exhausting energy and inevitable ups & downs.

If you could get any superhero to promote the EP, who would you choose and why?

I’m not the most educated in superheroes, so I went to the experts, our bassist (Drew Jones) and drummer (Gerard Canonico) for this one. They both had the same answer for the same reasons at the same time, haha!: “The Flash because he could physically put it in everyone’s hands very quickly.” 🙂

What’s the best part about performing this EP live?

It’s pure joy. It’s unabashedly who we are. When you get to be who you are, do what you love, and connect with beautiful people through it, there’s nothing like it!

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The EP release show is tonight, October 17th, at American Beauty in NYC. Tickets are available here. The Journey, Vol. 1 is available via iTunes and Spotify.

sunbathers, “honeysuk”

sunbathers, “honeysuk”

As if the name were no prior indication, Baltimore/Washington, D.C. indie rock outfit Sunbathers – comprised of Sean Lynott, Tim Boaté, Pete Mindnich, Peter Leonard, and Shohsei Oda – creates music that makes you feel soaked in warmth and sunshine. With light, raspy vocals (And those full heads of luxurious hair!), the men of Sunbathers croon about a romantic interest, someone who everyone kind of wants a bite of. Lyrics like “you’re so appealing floating toward the ceiling everyone here wants your love / I get this feeling it might be the reason that I’m crazy for your touch” are incredibly brazen, admitting that there might be more in the chase for them if others are also after the same end goal. To this end, you might see the track as a bit shallow, but if you dig deeper it is about confidence and emitting an energy that attracts people toward you as well.

The quintet goes even deeper into the honeysuckle metaphor in the video, with sharp, detailed visuals of the band playing the track, floral arrangements, and a human woman growing out of a pot like a plant. The visual is emotionally intense – especially toward the end – and is, in our humble opinion, some of the best artistic work they could have done with the track. But don’t just trust us, check it out for yourself.

 

Keep up with Sunbathers here.

in the valley below, the elephant EP

in the valley below, the elephant EP

In The Valley Below are a socially conscious duo that are on the forefront of raising awareness of important issues through their music.  Consisting of married couple Jeffrey Jacob and Angela Gail, the indie rock infused dream pop sound created by In The Valley Below is aesthetically pleasing on all levels.  They have a new project coming out (today!) called The Elephant EP, and it is both socially aware and sonically satisfying.

“Bloodhands (Oh My Fever)” is the first – and one of the most impactful songs – on the five song EP.  It was inspired by the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO and racial tensions between people and the police. Second track “Pink Chateau” brings with it lighter instrumentals and more of a springtime vibe, as it begs you to “slow down” and “simmer down” which aren’t bad bits of advice, if we’re being honest. “Hold On Tight” has more of a whirring, pop sound and then breaks down into some insane old school guitar solos to really throw you off guard.

But we’ve come to expect the unexpected from In The Valley Below, as they blend so many genres and weave show stopping tempo and key changes that should throw you for a loop, but really make their tracks that much more intriguing. The same can be said for fourth track “Break Even”, which has such intricate percussion parts that it completely changes what we had begun to think was the established vibe of the EP. Fifth and final track “Elephant” is the standout ballad, slowing the tempo to a crawl and really allowing you to revel in the lush, vibey vocals.

With so much going wrong in the world today, there are a plethora of songs inspired by the darker side of life. The uniqueness of In the Valley Below is that they do not phone in the music or the message when they create their art.  They believe that in order to have the most effect, they must reach the largest audience with genuinely good music, and it shows.  This EP comes from a authentic mindset, raising awareness for important issues, and it doesn’t hurt that the songs are great to listen to.

For more information about In The Valley Below, you can visit their website at inthevalleybelow.com.

princess goes welcomes the afternoon sun at riot fest 2024

princess goes welcomes the afternoon sun at riot fest 2024

Alternative/indie trio Princess Goes had an early afternoon slot on day two of Riot Fest 2024 in Douglass Park. Their unique brand of goth-tinted rock helped to set a moody glow across the field as the midday sun entered everyone’s lives. Hall’s vocals were clear — scratchy at times — drawing a crowd as the set went on at the AAA Stage. This was a wonderful — and often mellow — way to welcome the second day of an epic festival weekend.

michigander releases new single and music video for “giving up”

michigander releases new single and music video for “giving up”

Quickly rising indie pop/rock artist Michigander just put out a new single entitled “Giving Up”, attached with a music video and a B-side called “Breaker Box”. Michigander, led by singer-songwriter Jason Singer, has been releasing music since 2016 and has been gaining traction through singles like “Misery” and engagement from popular playlists by Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. As of now, Singer is the face of Spotify’s “The New Alt” playlist, which promotes new and popular alternative music, placing him alongside artists like The Killers and Hozier. Before the release of “Giving Up”, Singer had put out 2023’s It Will Never Be The Same EP and a live performance and EP for Vevo’s online DSCVR series.

“Giving Up” absolutely appeals to fans of Michigander’s previous songs and features his trademark sound. His alternative pop sound with hazy synths and electronics that still capture honest emotions, all sung with Singer’s distinctive Midwestern twang. It’s cutesy and very likable, and Singer has a charm and earnestness to him that makes him appealing. The backing band assembled for this single is also very good, composed of Jake LeMond on guitar, Connor Robertson on bass, Chris Koo on keys, and Aaron Senor on drums. Lyrically, it’s about desperately trying to make someone happy to have minimal success and having to be assertive about getting nothing in return. It’s a relatable sentiment and very genuine. The music video, directed by Tyler Appel, is shot well with beautiful cinematography. It features multiple scenes of Singer playing with his band, as well as aimlessly driving his truck amongst other things. It’s fun and matches the song well enough, and Singer has a good presence in music videos. 

The B-side, “Breaker Box”, matches the A-side in its similar sentiments and seems to be from the same narrator and addressed to the same person as before. It’s another song about a crumbling relationship and wanting the other person to put forth more effort into maintaining it. The song has a wonderfully lush production, with a more piano-driven melody and some wonderful-sounding horns. Like “Giving Up”, it balances being catchy as well as intimate and personal. 

Michigander continues to be an inspired presence in modern alternative music, and “Giving Up” is an excellent example of why. As for the future, Singer and his band have a headlining tour beginning Oct 10 in Cincinnati, Ohio, going into 2025 with support from multiple artists including Cece Coakley and Sydney Sprague, as well as solo acoustic performances with Band of Horses.

king gizzard & the lizard wizard begin a new tour with their usual high standards

king gizzard & the lizard wizard begin a new tour with their usual high standards

On the night of August 15th, I went to The Anthem in DC to see the band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. If you’re unfamiliar with them, they’re an incredibly popular Australian rock band made up of talented multi-instrumentalists Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Lucas Harwood, and Michael Cavanagh. One of their main appeals is their approach to genre and exploring as many sounds in their work as they can. Since forming in 2010, they’ve put out 26 studio albums (not to mention 16 live albums) that have ranged from psychedelia, various kinds of metal, progressive rock, synth-pop, sunshine pop, folk, and many more. Despite this, they still have a consistent “King Gizzard” sound that’s rooted in vintage psychedelic rock. Flight b741, which was released on August 9th, is another new musical avenue for them: an early 70s-inspired blues rock album with obvious references to The Rolling Stones and T. Rex. My brief review is that it captures the sound perfectly, with heaps of nostalgia to boot, but still provides plenty of hooks and fuzzy guitar riffs to keep it a consistently entertaining listen. Give it a whirl when on a road trip. You won’t regret it. 

Okay, now back to the concert. This was the first show for their tour to support Flight b741, with the opener at this show being Brooklyn-based indie-punk band Geese. They proved to be a fitting match for King Gizzard, as their newest LP 3D Country features a classic rock sound similar to Flight b741, albeit with more country influence. I enjoyed their performance, though, with only the core members of the band, their sound was more alternative rock that doesn’t capture the roots-based atmosphere of the album. Still, they were fun despite the more stripped-back aesthetic. There were occasional unique touches like hand drums and smooth keyboard playing, and I gotta give props to their frontman Cameron Winter. He’s a very interesting and captivating presence, with an oddball southern yodel-ish twang in his vocals that stood out to me.

After Geese’s set, there was a 30-minute break so King Gizzard’s crew could set up. Right before their performance started, a message appeared on screen reminding the audience to have fun in the mosh pit but to look after each other and report anyone dangerous to security. I didn’t get close enough to mosh, but I’ve heard enough horror stories of audience injuries to know that the message was responsible on the band’s part. I should also note the atmosphere and the crowd of the show. There were lots of young people at the show, (more men than women, though still a decent mixture) around their 20s and early 30s. With the band’s decade-spanning influences, it also made sense that there were also some middle-aged and older people that were likely fans of similar bands such as Phish or The Grateful Dead. All the concert tickets sold out quickly, so the general audience pit on the main floor had to be packed tightly to accommodate everyone. From my firsthand experience, it smelled of sweat, pot, and alcohol the entire time. Still, that was to be expected from a crowd made up mainly of stoners wanting to mosh or get zonked out on hallucinogens. 

King Gizzard’s main ethos seems to be that not only do they never repeat an album, they also never repeat a show. The band’s live performances feature lots of extensive jamming, allowing for the musicians to ride a groove and riff off one another with improvisations, giving the songs a different feel from their studio counterparts. While the jams of earlier shows may have focused more on heavier metal riffs (according to my friend, anyway. Shoutout Nayeli!), the ones this one had fit more with the influences on the new album and are more bluesy (featuring harmonicas!) with some fuzzy psychedelia and touches of funk. I’m a fan of extended performances of songs to ride out a groove to its fullest, but admittedly some improvisations could be too aimless and lengthy. They were fun, but it got to a point where I nodded off before things kicked back into gear. However, these jams are a staple of their concerts, and it may not entirely matter to you if you enjoy watching talented performers work their craft (or if you’re super high). I’ll also give the band jams credit for being more inviting to new fans that may not have listened to all of King Gizzard’s albums and giving them something entirely distinctive to their concert.

The band’s setlist was very diverse and featured 14 songs from their catalog within 2+ hours. This included three of the new songs from Flight b741, and songs from Omnium GatherumIce, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and LavaNonagon Infinity, and others. Despite each album representing a new era and sound, they all fit well together and never appeared too different from each other while still being distinctive. The funk grooves of “Iron Lung”, the raw acid flavoring of “The Dripping Tap”, and the last 30 minutes of the show with back-to-back metal songs (featuring fan favorites “Mars for the Rich” and “Supercell”) all shine brightly. What I admire about the band is their democratic approach to playing, with no member seeming more important than the other. Sure, Stu Mackenzie is their designated “frontman”, but each member gets time to solo, time to speak to the crowd, and opportunities to do what they’re good at. The concert closes on an intense and completely hypnotic drum solo by Michael Cavanagh at the end of “Gaia”.

King Gizzard provided and continues to provide wonderful concerts that rock out, all the while showcasing the band’s chemistry and never-ending talents as they continue being one of the best live acts around. I can’t recommend seeing them enough, whether it’s once or multiple times.

36? present a sweetly snug ode to introversion in “i don’t want to go out tonight”

36? present a sweetly snug ode to introversion in “i don’t want to go out tonight”

In unfortunate timing, this is my *37th* article for this website. Just one off, huh? Anyway, indie-psychedelic band 36? have put out a new single titled “i don’t want to go out tonight”. This is the fourth single to come from the Calgary-based group this year, after “wasted”, “FEERS”, and “ART”; with their latest LP being 2022’s Naturally. Their sound is an eclectic mix of sources, with influences ranging from hazy alt-pop and art rock, and comparisons to bands like Animal Collective or even Bleachers. Many of their lyrics, from the band’s producer and songwriter Taylor Cochrane, deal with personal subjects awash in sincerity and emotional qualities.

“i don’t want to go out tonight” is more laid-back than their more recent singles, with an indie-folk sound led by Hawaiian-sounding acoustic guitar and a breezy beach atmosphere. It’s very sweet sounding with a heartfelt performance from Cochrane and cutesy backing vocal harmonies. It also features a wonderfully abrasive guitar solo characteristic of a lot of their work, though it still fits against a different musical backdrop. Lyrically, it’s a tribute to introversion and taking time for yourself even when it means avoiding energy-draining social activities. The lyrics and the music match perfectly, creating a vibe throughout the track that’s cozy and comforting. 36? have crafted a great summer single in “i don’t want to go out tonight”, a song that’s drenched with both positive energy and relaxation.

The band is currently on tour throughout North America, with more music still in the works.

singer-songwriter libby tisler continues to show off her talents on “age of reason”

singer-songwriter libby tisler continues to show off her talents on “age of reason”

Up-and-coming artist Libby Tisler just released (and by just, I mean literally today) her newest single, the pretty and poppy “Age of Reason”. This is the third single leading into the Nashville-based singer-songwriter’s debut EP, Hopping Dimensions, to be released September 27th. It follows two previous singles, “End of an Era” and “The Artist” respectively, with a fourth titled “Visine” to be released September 4th. Tisler, being such a new artist, has yet to fully define herself musically, but her previous songs have helped showcase what works with her voice. With producer Alex Bonyata (of the indie group The Young Something), her recent singles have showcased dreamy, atmospheric slices of indie-pop with 808 drum beats or stripped-down acoustic guitars. As a songwriter, Tisler exudes confidence and allows herself to be open to her audiences with personal lyrics and authentic emotions.

“Age of Reason” is a very good single, and maybe the best of the three released so far for Hopping Dimensions. It functions as a more straightforward, up-tempo indie-rock song that pops wonderfully and gives Libby a chance to be a more dynamic personality. Her singing has a good range of emotion, with a slight country or folk vibe in her inflection, and the background vocal harmonies add to an enjoyable and breezy pop song. The cover art for the single, depicting Tisler in a sea-green dress against a woodland environment drenched in soft sunlight, perfectly captures the aesthetics and feel of the song.

With Libby Tisler’s career being quite fresh and young, a strong single such as “Age of Reason” helps continue to spotlight her as a new talent to watch out for. “Age of Reason” is available now, along with “End of an Era” and “The Artist”, as teasers for her upcoming debut EP Hopping Dimensions coming September 27th.