2 months agoTOWNIES. THE EP. THIS FRIDAY. 4 BRAND NEW SONGS— which were written during, before and after the process of making the album but all felt connected to the heart of the project in their own unique ways. Fragile was written before we had officially begun work on the album— it marks the end of one sonic journey and the beginning of another; a bridge from the surreal, freaky world of “Beautiful Liar” to the reflective, introspective “Townie”. Next came “Upstate Boys”, which was written right after we had turned in the final masters for “Townie”; much like the album itself, it’s a song for all restless souls carrying the burden of our discontent, unable to shake the anger and despair that drives us. “Drive”, written a few weeks later, follows two young and desperate people at the edge of town; both ready to abandon their lives and start fresh somewhere new, all the while praying that they make it out of their town alive. And finally, “Sticks and Stones” was written with two native Ithacans— Rowan Drake and SAINT KID (aka Kii Kinsella); the next generation of songwriters from our hometown. This song feels like stumbling upon some sort of dark, wild ritual in the forests of upstate New York— shadows from a bonfire dancing against the tall pines, bodies shape-shifting from human to animal. Something old and dangerous calling to you in the night. Calling you home.