Lizzie & The Makers’ sophomore studio album embroiders their potent Southern-tinged rock with art-rock, dream-pop, and ethereal elements to spawn something all their own. Due in fall 2021, it’s one of those rare records that combines single-minded artistry with broad commercial appeal.
Created around the dusky yet soaring timbre of force-of-nature frontwoman Lizzie Edwards, the upcoming LP was produced by Grammy winner Mario McNulty (David Bowie, Prince) and Cure guitarist Reeves Gabrels (Tin Machine, Bowie). Their influence, alongside the textured six-string and pedal-steel expressions of Edwards’ writing partner (and Gabrels protégé) Greg McMullen, ensure an intriguingly adventurous, hugely dynamic – and occasionally otherworldly – take on the traditional.
Atop granite foundations of AC/DC and Black Sabbath, NYC’s Makers layer the grooving rock of the Allman Brothers and Pink Floyd’s melodic psychedelia. But then there are lurking hints of blues/country rootsiness, and McMullen’s accomplished love of the avant-garde.
Defying her constant comparisons to Janis Joplin, the classically-trained Edwards summons a heartfelt, nuanced mezzo-soprano shaped by Memphis soul legend Ann Peebles, Heart’s Wilson sisters, and jazz icon Billie Holiday. She’s assertive, yet vulnerable; defiant, yet proudly flawed.
Edwards and McMullen almost accidentally formed The Makers (named for Maker’s Mark bourbon) back in 2011, when the singer was scrambling to assemble a last-minute band for a festival at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, where she was sound engineer and McMullen was a regular performer.
Lizzie & The Makers’ debut album, Fire from the Heart of Man, appeared in 2015, followed by the Meanwhile … EP three years later. A 2017 concert collection, Live at Rockwood Music Hall, conveyed The Makers’ famously visceral stage show. But the upcoming release, recorded at Mission Sound Recording in Williamsburg, both captures and compliments the band like nothing before.
While the bluesy riff is familiar, the upcoming LP’s tortured tone is darker, more contemporary, and the perfect foil for Edwards’ emotive delivery.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the new single “Lover By Proxy” ahead of its official release on June 25th. If this song is any indication, we are in for a treat with the band’s upcoming album as it showcases their loose and heavy energy. Hitting hard with a Led Zeppelin-esque bluesy guitar riff and Edwards’ electrifyingly soulful vocals, the song has all the makings of 70s arena rock. Organ and synths give the tune an extra blast of soaring energy as we get hit with an onslaught of slide guitar and commanding, powerful vocals. Lyrically, the song treads some familiar turf for anyone who has ever dealt with the ups and downs of a relationship, giving it widespread appeal.
Lizzie Edwards describes the inspiration and process behind “Lover By Proxy”:
“This track is perhaps my favorite one on the album – though I love all the songs – the creation of this one was the most organic.
As with many of our songs, the origin of this one lies with Greg McMullen. He’s a prolific morning meditator when it comes to playing guitar and will often send me ideas for riffs and grooves in the early hours. The riff that would become “Lover By Proxy” immediately spoke to me when I heard it and I knew I had the perfect lyrics to match from my own daily journaling.
The phrase “Lover By Proxy” was born out of frustration in my recent dealings with romantic partners. I felt like my role in these relationships was often that of a placeholder or “fixer.” I was there to help someone realize their worth and potential, and once they achieved this confidence, they moved on to someone else. While other songs on this record are introspective, idealistic, and melancholic in tone when it comes to love, “Lover By Proxy” is pure fire mixed with reluctant acceptance and punctuated by an overarching and generous “fuck you.”
The writing and recording of this song just flew out of our individual brains so rapidly and organically I still can’t believe how fast it came together. The melody poured out of me in minutes. Our rhythm section, Brett Bass and Steve Williams, added the perfect stomp and punch backdrop almost instantly. And our keys genius Rob Clores added the perfect strange and warped sounds to take this baby to outer space where it belongs and where we currently reside as songwriters.
Though influenced by traditional music genres, we were also heavily influenced by David Lynch and Twin Peaks in writing this album. So there is always a little bit of old and familiar mixed with alien, fantasy and the unexpected in our music. I’m very proud of this track and I think anyone out there can relate and get down to it!”
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Photo credit: Shervin Lainez
