Article by Miles Hurley
Photo Courtesy of Mason Jar Media
Newcomer five-piece The Artisanals, based out of Charleston, South Carolina, are set to release their self-titled debut LP next month, on September 21st. Along with the album release, the band will embark on a tour across the east coast through September and October.
A minute-long sitar solo seems like the perfect kick-off for the LP—a slightly surreal intro to an expansive, emotional collection of indie americana rock. The sitar jumps right into “Angel 42,” a breezy, Petty-esque ride that features some truly beautiful harmonies. “First Time” wrenches things up with some heavy guitar work, right before “Roll With It” makes the scene really pretty again, and brings back those dynamite harmonies. “Pound The Rock” sounds like it could have fit right at home on one of The Traveling Wilburys records.
Some of these tracks echo the larger-than-life kind of rock of U2 and The War on Drugs, and makes one think that someday soon enough The Artisanals will be playing material from this LP, or future albums, in amphitheatres and stadiums. But at the same time, an incredible range is shown from the band in mirror opposite tunes like “Country Roads Town” and “Nothing is Hopeless,” which strip the music down to a few simple musical elements circling an acoustic guitar and touching vocals.
The Artisanals meanwhile also seem to have some pretty cool friends in their corner. For starters, the LP was recorded with some of the same gear from NYC’s (now closed) Magic Shop Studio that record David Bowie’s last two albums as well as Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. Along with that, their first ever live show saw the band open for Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, who has since brought them on tour and become one of their biggest personal fans.
“Drag” is the beautifully sullen yet feel good track that ends the Artisanals’ new LP, and earlier this month they released a trippy video for the song, premiered it on Billboard. You can stream that video here below, and for more information about the band, their LP, and the impending tour, you can head to https://www.theartisanals.net.