Seattle-based post-punk outfit Weep Wave released their full-length debut, 2019’s S.A.D. to critical praise from KEXP, Seattle Music Insider, Raised by Cassettes and Dan’s Tunes among others.
In the five years since S.A.D.’s release, the band has been rather busy: They’ve gone through a lineup change, which has resulted in their current lineup: Dylan Fuentes (vocals, guitar), Mike Hubbard (drums, synth) and Mitch Midkiff (bass). They’ve released an EP and a handful of singles, one which was featured as KEXP’s Song of the Day that have gradually revealed an evolving and decided change in sonic direction. The band has shared stages with a handful of acclaimed and renowned acts including JOVM mainstays Los Bitchos, Blackwater Holylight, Gustaf, The Bobby Lees, Godcaster, Habibi, Reignwolf and Spirit Mother among others. They’ve made the rounds of the local and regional festival circuit, playing sets at Treefort Music Festival, Capitol Hill Block Party, South Sound Block Party and Off Beat Music Fest. And they’ve done multiple tours up and down the West Coast — and have played a few times here in NYC.
Slated for an April 5, 2024 release through Corporat Records, the 11-song Dylan Wall-produced sophomore album Speck was recorded at Seattle’s 7 Hills Studios and reportedly sees the trio embarking on a kaleidoscopic sonic odyssey through the diverse array of genres they proudly call home. Thematically Fuentes’ lyrics oscillate between two contrasting realms: outward to explore the effects of the perils of capitalism and climate change — and inward, to scrutinize the self, in particular dissecting the ego and self-identity.
Speck‘s first single is the Low Praise-meets-grunge-like “Rebirth Mantra.” Built around a pummeling mosh pit friendly riff, thunderous drumming and a supple yet propulsive bass line within a classic, alternating loud-quiet-loud song structure, “Rebirth Mantra,” captures Fuentes at his most introspective and neurotic, with the song’s narrator expressing his fears of falling into the same unhelpful — and perhaps even destructive — patterns that led to repeated failure and frustration. The song’s narrator envisions a transformed, evolved version of himself, a much more caring, courageous and empathetic self. Of course, are we able and willing to change and evolve? Or are we too stubborn, too blind to do what’s necessary to better ourselves?
“‘Rebirth Mantra’ is a song about what kind of person you want to be if you had a chance to start things over again. A big theme in the album is that everything repeats and tries to manifest the version of life that you want to actually want to live within these cycles. Going into the studio, we didn’t expect this song to turn out to be one of the strongest songs on the album.”
The Seattle-based outfit will be touring down the West Coast this Spring, and it begins with an April 5, 2024 album release show at Seattle’s Sunset Tavern. If you’re planning to be on the West Coast or if you’re a West Coast pal, check out the rest of the tour dates below.
Spring 2024 Tour Dates
4/5 – Seattle, WA at Sunset Tavern
4/6 – Tacoma, WA at New Frontier
4/12 – Chico, CA at Naked Lounge
4/13 – San Francisco at Kilowatt Bar
4/19 – San Diego, CA at Che Cafe
4/20 – Los Angeles, CA at Gengis Cohen
4/21 – Long Beach, CA at Alex’s Bar
4/27 – Denver, CO at Hi-Dive
5/1 – Salt Lake City, UT at Old Cuss
5/3 – Missoula, MT at VFM
5/4 – Spokane, WA at The Big Dipper
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