by Jonah Evans (@jonahinthesnow)
Worry Bead Records, an independent label based in Queens, NY, recently released a benefit compilation for the Trans Emergency Project. The compilation features bands like Squirrel Flower, Remember Sports, and 22° Halo, and aims to raise funds for the project. Eighteen acts comprise this compilation containing unreleased b-sides, demos, and live cuts.
Thinking of demos, B-sides, and live recordings, the thought of Weezer crept into my mind. I used to be obsessed with the Blue Album and Pinkerton. It was a long time ago when these songs lived outside of the forefront of publicity, though, as a fan, getting my hands on some of these songs back in the day was like getting new tracks that were supposed to be a secret. Even with the demos of the songs I already knew, there was something raw and fresh to see all the parts before it was produced for a market, the artists, or otherwise. This rendition of creation inherently lends itself to another level of intimacy with a band.
Combining this intimacy and this collective effort to contribute to a highly urgent cause, Worry Bead Records has produced a compilation that invites discovery and exploration. Listening to Pink Navel’s opener “Interview (angel of youth) will not indicate the overall experience of the record, except the intimacy of this music. There’s a lovely, vocal, finding-a-tune type sound with “interview(angel of youth),” as the singers talk/sing up and down some kind of musical scale, one voice leading, the other trailing. All that rolls into a rap with a clear sense of an MC and a hype person combo that’s fun and playful.
Though there is a cohesiveness in a lo-fi aspect of the record, which dips in and out of some folk and indie vibes, Salt’s “Burn Me” feels like a waterfall in motion, ever cascading. Remember Sports’ “Cut Fruit (Live in Montreal)” feels alive, raw. And before I get too deep into running down the list of all eighteen acts, I learned about some artists I haven’t heard of before, which was nice. One of the artists that comes to mind is Léna Bartels and her song “In My Place (Demo),” which carries an unfamiliar time signature, Bartels’ voice is slightly distorted with perhaps a tiny bit of autotune, and feels somewhat strained. Along with the good absence of a clear chorus, and the even beat from the drums and the precise downbeat rhythm of the guitar, the tension in this song stays high and creates a strong sense of longing.
Night Moth’s song “Colder (demo)” stars a somber acoustic guitar that’s played calmly, and the singer’s vocals range from a low-toned, conversational whisper to higher-pitched and sustained notes. The velocity of their voice also changes like a mini emotional rollercoaster, and it’s nice too. The song has bright notes contrasted with low, warm tones, which gives a sense of loneliness, but the lyrics seem declarative, like the speaker is drawing a line in the sand through self-reflection. Some of the lyrics are “Maybe it’s not true,” and “You can’t put me down, it’s not your place.” There seems to be a little hope poking through.
Of course, the whole compilation has a delightful buzz of sound, from the oh so sweet melodies and slow milky sounds of Fraternal Twin, to the sharp and comforting voice in a slow-step song that embodies the best kind of lounging and spacing out on the couch from 22° Halo, to the gospel-y organs of Trash Girl, and much much more!
Worry Bead Records is run by Matt O’Connor (of Tuxis Giant, one of the bands on this album) and their partner, Jenny Ruenes. It’s family-run and a community-oriented DIY label. This record embodies that idea of community through its sound, tone, and artistry. This record also embodies collaboration that runs towards a collective purpose, and the energy of all these positive aspects makes the whole of this record. In an essay in Atwood Magazine, Matt O’Connor refers to Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series:
“The title, ‘True Names,’ was inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. In the world of Earthsea, True Names are sacred, holding incredible and transformative power. To know your True Name is to know yourself. And to share your True Name is an extreme act of vulnerability and courage. States across the country are targeting trans youth by restricting their access to life-affirming care. With this comp, we're raising funds for the Trans Youth Emergency Project, which helps families of trans youth find healthcare providers, travel to appointments, and pay for medication. True Names was a big team effort. The songs—all unreleased b-sides, demos, and live cuts—were collected from our music communities in Boston, New York, Philly and beyond. With this comp, we hope to do our part in supporting TYEP’s important work.”
- Matt O’Connor (Worry Bead Records / Tuxis Giant)