“For me, songs are like a musical exorcism—they come out screaming and I interpret them later on,” says Nick Phourist, of the Louisville, Kentucky-based quartet Phourist and the Photons. The band’s aptly-titled latest, We’re All Born Screaming (out August 2nd on Gubbey Records), offers forth a viscerally distilled edition of the group’s stately and tuneful indie-rock allowing for maximum cathartic impact.
It’s no surprise Nick is cagey about the meaning of his songs, preferring the listener to have his or her own interpretations. Yet, he does acknowledge that a death in his family last year played a big role in the album’s creation. He also cites existential angst, and day-in-life struggles as artistic fodder.
Phourist and The Photons is known for its non-linear songcraft which includes winding musical passages, and adventurous arrangements flanking undeniable pop-rock hooks. Previously, the quartet has issued one album, but We’re All Born Screaming represents the first album of the band’s current and stable lineup. Phourist and the Photons is Nick Phourist Hill, vocals, piano, guitar, songwriting; Justin Perez, bass, various other musical contributions; and Andrew Critchelow guitar, textures; and Scott Boice, drums, percussion.
Though he prefers to keep his artistic intentions close to his vest, Nick does reveal his thoughts surrounding the band’s name. “I like that it has a nerdy sci-fi vibe, and an old school ‘Buddy Holly & The Crickets’ thing to it. I also love a good alliteration,” he says.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive early listen of We’re All Born Screaming, an album that offers forth a user-friendly edition of Phourist and the Photons. With distinctive piano as a cornerstone of the band’s sound, the album is reminiscent of acts like Tori Amos, Koji Kondo, Dead Can Dance, and Elton John. At the same time, their sound is completely unique as they temper prog-rock with sharp pop tunesmithing, and the tunes are more viscerally emotive. Throughout the album’s nine songs we get everything from intimate piano ballads and atmospheric acoustic singer-songwriter moments to dreamy indie rock and heavy blues riffing.
Band leader Nick Phourist Hill describes the journey behind the album:
“We were but a wee band when we started to record ‘We’re All Born Screaming’. We’d played together as the current quartet maybe three times before we headed to the studio. A lot of the songs, however, I had written years prior. I think the combination of freshness and ancientness gave the record a vibe like it was the beginning of a journey that had been in preparation for years. I couldn’t be more proud of the piece as a whole, and the team that made it happen.”
LISTEN:
We’re All Born Screaming is out August 2nd. For more info visit the band on Facebook.
