by Yazan Fahmawi (@the_yza)
Milwaukee four-piece Soul Low are back, taking their energetic flavor of melodic pop to a darker place with “Chancin’ It,” the second single from their upcoming LP. Jumpy video cuts of their decidedly drab hometown clue us in to the anxiety and restlessness brought on by the seemingly endless midwestern winter. The band gives us insight to the inspiration behind the tune:
“Chancin’ It” eruptively addresses the impulse to succumb to that negativity (be it depression, anxiety) and give up entirely - a feeling that occurs frequently during Wisconsin winters, which is when this song was written."
Singer/guitarist Jake Balistrieri’s frenetic discordant guitar lines blink in and out, punctuated with a pummeling from drummer Charlie Celenza’s relentless snare attack for only a few moments before Balistrieri, known for his signature warble, swoops in with a blood curdling howl hotter than anything yet heard from him in the band’s five-year career. The band still manages to serve up some very satisfying harmonic movements amidst the rhythmic rumblings and guitar stabs, filled out expertly by bassist Sam Gehrke and keyboardist/saxophonist Sean Hirthe.
Smoking cigarettes, guzzling local beer by the case, joyrides in elevators, and adventures in abandoned industrial parks are among the options for distraction between hometown shows for these fretful gents. Catch them this summer, channeling that energy into the house-rattling parties their performances quickly turn into.
Soul Low's Cheer Up is out July 28 on Gloss Records.
Tour Dates:
7/01 - Chicago, IL @ The Mutiny
7/02 - Kalamazoo, MI @ Shakespeare's
7/03 - Cleveland, OH @ Mahall's
7/04 - Columbus, OH @ Bssy Girl
7/06 - Louisville, KY @ Nach Bar
7/07 - Fort Smith, AR @ Planet Zero
7/08 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Unkempt Beaver
7/09 - Wichita, KS @ Kirby's Beer Store
8/12 - Milwaukee, WI @ Polish Falcon
8/13 - Madison, WI @ Mickey's
8/25 - Minneapolis, MN @ Seward's Cafe