This is The Weekly Spread, a roundup of some of our favorite new music in and around the indie scene. Always on Fridays, always free, it’s the bread and butter of Bread and Butter (lol).
This was a week full of surprises, both in our personal lives and on our release radar, as some of our favorite artists dropped incredible new tracks and exciting announcements. Tennis’ sixth album, Pollen, comes out February 10, the same day as Andy Shauf’s seventh album, Norm. Plus Tennis, Andy Shauf, and Fruit Bats announced spring 2023 tours. Oh, and Eddie’s band Dazies is playing a show on December 6 at the Sultan Room. Get your tickets here (:
And a bit of a personal plug that has nothing to do with music - if you didn’t know, I (Britnee) write a chapter book series under a pen name called Witches of Peculiar. The third book in the series, Monstrous Matchmakers, comes out on Tuesday. If you’ve got a kid in your life who likes to read (or an adult who likes to read about kid witches), it would mean the world to me if you picked up a copy. I might be biased, but I think the books are pretty fun!
Thanks for reading and see you next week.
~Britnee and Eddie
Tennis - One Night with The Valet
As fleeting as a chance encounter and dreamy as a new crush, “One Night with the Valet” is a swoon-worthy love song that pulses with urgency. It’s the new single from indie pop husband and wife duo Tennis, and comes along with the announcement of their sixth album, Pollen, out February 10. Mid-tempo percussion and romantic piano are instantly recognizable as classic Tennis sounds, but instead of the sunshine-pop undertones of songs past, the washed-out production feels like the smoky haze of night, letting bold synths shine through like neon. Paired with Alaina Moore’s ethereal vocals, you feel like you’re floating through the loveliest - if slightly disorienting - dream. According to Alaina in an Instagram post announcing the track, it describes “my meeting Patrick for the first time while he worked graveyard shifts as a valet and I waitressed a few blocks down the street.” It’s no wonder, then, the track so effortlessly evokes the inexplicable pull of new love that’s meant to last.
Fruit Bats - Waking Up in Los Angeles
“Well, we all want a home / metaphorical or real / someplace to make us feel whole” are the opening lines of “Waking Up in Los Angeles,” the sunny new single from Eric D. Johnson AKA Fruit Bats. These lyrics aptly capture the track’s emotional resonance: upbeat acoustic guitar, warm percussion, and playful synths all nudge us toward a feeling of comfort and belonging. Johnson’s lyrics are a little more pointed: “The words to this song / while geographically specific / they could apply to anywhere or any of you.” Fruit Bats has a long history of writing music that taps into our nostalgia and hits us right in our feels, making us feel seen and understood in a way words alone can’t. That undercurrent of human connection and perseverance is as present as ever here, and exemplifies why Johnson is such a masterful songwriter. Listen to “Waking Up in Los Angeles” when you’re feeling lost or tired, and by the end of the song’s four minutes, you’ll feel a little lighter, a little more at ease - the same way it feels to come home.
Hiding Places - I’ll Be
New Brooklyn-by-way-of-Asheville band Hiding Places has released a self-titled EP that is sure to be your go-to fall soundtrack. The self-described folk-grunge outfit has a delightfully delicate yet powerful range of songs punctuated by the entrancing and beautiful track, “I’ll Be.” Ambient, jangling guitars and loose, brushed drums pull you into a mesmerizing waltz, while the sweet and smoky vocals of frontperson Audrey Keelin tug on your heartstrings with haunting harmonies. The lyrical themes of needing companionship in times of uncertainty only serve to drive you deeper into your feels. “I’ll Be” is a clear example of the type of effortless yet enticing songwriting this group showcases throughout their new EP. There is certainly a lot of promise for this band and we will be paying attention. Listen to the rest of their EP here.
Andy Shauf - Wasted On You
The newest single from Canadian indie pop artist Andy Shauf, “Wasted On You,” leans into contemplative whimsy. It’s the lead single off Shauf’s just-announced seventh album, Norm, out February 10. In classic Andy Shauf fashion, the album tells a story, this time centered around a fictitious person named Norm. In a statement, Shauf said, “The character of Norm is introduced in a really nice way, but the closer you pay attention to the record, the more you’re going to realize that it’s sinister.” Reminiscent of jazz composition, “Wasted on You” has a delightfully unconventional structure with a warm and fuzzy production style. Quirky keys, dreamy woodwinds, and vibrant synths set the stage for an arrangement that feels light and floaty - fitting for a song all about life’s existential ponderings. “What happens when they die? / Maybe eternal life / But only if they find me,” Shauf sings in his typical tongue-in-cheek delivery. The accompanying music video is just as playful, featuring God and Jesus dancing up in heaven while discussing the latter’s sacrifice, followed by a humble Shauf sweeping up after them. Watch the video here.
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All songs from every issue of The Weekly Spread in one playlist: