by Kelly Johnson
Romantic States are a Baltimore duo consisting of Ilenia Madelaire on drums/vocals and Jim Triplett on guitar/vocals. They specialize in a minimal and wistful kind of dream pop that recalls a stripped-down and more straightforward Slowdive. After having a big year releasing their self-titled album on Washington D.C.’s DZ Tapes and opening up for dates on Beach House’s tour, the duo is releasing a 7-inch record on January 11, 2016 on Nebraskan Coast entitled Take My Hand and Run.
The title track from the upcoming 7-inch shows the band perfecting its plaintive pop leanings. In comparison to their full-length tape released early last year, Take My Hand and Run boasts hefty guitars and drums courtesy of Baltimore producer and Roomrunner (RIP) member, Dan Frome (who, in addition to Denny Bowen from Roomrunner, contributes bass guitar to the tracks on the release). Madelaire contributes a steady and driving rhythm that propels Triplett’s understated but extremely catchy chorus. It’s still a minimal affair, but with the added crystalline production on the guitars the song really takes off.
Catch Romantic States at one of their upcoming shows in January:
01/13 - Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong w/ Free Cake For Every Creature, Boon
01/21 - New Brunswick, NJ @ Candy Barrel w/ Halfsour
01/22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Alphaville w/ Halfsour, Lame Drivers, Summer Saints
01/23 - Baltimore, MD @ The Crown w/ Wildhoney, Halfsour, Quitter
02/06 - Philadelphia, PA @ Two-Piece Fest
Romantic States' Take My Hand And Run is available for pre-order via Nebraskan Coast and due out January 11th.