Band : Racquet Club
Album: Racquet Club
VÖ: 29.09.2017
Label: Rise Records / ADA
Website: www.facebook.com/RaqcuetClubBand
Rise Records and Racquet Club, the newly formed quartet featuring members of Knapsack, The Jealous Sound and Samiam are proud to announce the band's self-titled debut album. Produced by Alex Newport (Bloc Party, Frank Turner), Racquet Club presents itself as a breathtaking rock record that will appeal to fans of the members' previous projects but also stands on its own as something singularly impressive. From the driving pop perfection of “Let Beauty Find You” to the stripped-down power of “Blood On The Moon” and melodic moodiness of “Boundaries,” these ten songs are like different shades of the same color–and together they paint a picture that's more hopeful than anything vocalist/guitarist Blair Shehan has penned in the past.
“The records that I've done in the past have really been reactions to chaos in my life and the guilt or hurt that came along with that,” Shehan explains. “I'm still dealing with those tendencies but now rather than focusing on the chaos I’m focusing on solutions and those small victories.” Check out the music video for “Head Full Of Bees,” helmed by Steve Hanft who is known for directing Beck’s “Where It’s At” video.
A few years ago, Blair Shehan was burnt out. His highly respected rock band The Jealous Sound released A Gentle Reminder on Rise Records in 2012 but although the album was well received and the band toured with acts like Death Cab For Cutie and Sunny Day Real Estate, they never really hit their stride. Then something unexpected happened: Shehan's previous act, Knapsack, starting playing shows again and he immediately rekindled a musical and creative partnership with the band's guitarist Sergie Loobkoff, who was also a founding member of Samiam.
“The Knapsack reunion was a real gift for me because there was no pressure and it was just for the fun of it,” Shehan recounts. “Sergie and I started talking about writing new music together but as soon as we began we knew that this was going to be a different beast altogether.” Also featuring The Jealous Sound drummer Bob Penn and new bassist Ian Smith, Racquet Club’s lineup was solidified and would eventually give life to these 10 tracks that see all of the members stepping outside of their comfort zones to create something that grows more compelling with each listen.
“Making this record together was a struggle at times and there was a lot of self-doubt on Blair's part but we pulled it off,” Loobkoff summarizes. Shehan echoes this sentiment adding, “For me making this record was a challenge in a lot of ways and just completing it makes me feel so good. In life you get these moments where you realize your goal is worth taking a chance on because once you accomplish it you can walk upright in the world knowing that you did your best.” In the end, the very act of creation is what makes Racquet Club a success–and the songs speak for themselves in a way that will stay with the listener long after the album has ended.
