HOW???, a co-creation of musicians Alex Tebeleff and Matthew Dowling, picks up the pieces of a longstanding East Coast project, deeply rooted in DIY culture. That project, Paperhaus, was both a shape-shifting musical collective which toured extensively, AND a beloved DIY space which feverishly hosted touring acts from around the globe.
The band is inspired by the art-rock approaches of David Bowie and REM, the American songcraft of Townes Van Zandt and Bob Dylan, and the electronic explorations of Kraftwerk and Boards of Canada, the band uses the studio as an instrument to create the unexpected. Their sound feels familiar, while looking toward the future.
How???, due out April 26th (PRE-ORDER) is the first self-produced album. All songs were co-written between Tebeleff and longtime collaborator/bassist Matthew Dowling (Paperhaus, Deleted Scenes, SWOLL, The Effects). While by no means devoid of Paperhaus 60s and 70s psychedelic and glam rock-inspired fingerprints, this debut album draws inspiration from unexpected places – from Texas Americana to electronic soundscapes and experimental artists like Bjork, and even 80’s pop from the likes of Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of the self-titled track “How???,” which introduces the overall vibe of the album. The song finds the band blending Americana roots with sharp English glam art-rock energy and even a touch of indie and surf rock. While the twangy guitars give the song a distinct sound, the injection of synthesizers and drum machines bring something much more psychedelic and expansive to the table. The Gwen Morier-directed video showcases the band in the otherworldly desert landscape of Joshua Tree, which only enhances the spaced-out qualities and timeless cool of the track.
On the song, the band’s Alex Tebeleff says:
‘“How???’ is a song about the meaning of home and change. Starting its life in my old house in D.C., but finished in my new studio in LA, it kickstarted the whole process behind the How??? Album. We used the studio as an instrument to transform a Townes Van Zandt influenced raw song on acoustic guitar into something different from anything we had done before. Filtered through lots of other influences including Bjork, 90’s Warp Records, and Roxy Music, it set the groundwork for the Americana Electronica sound that defines the project.”
WATCH:
04.17 – Oakland, CA @ The Stork Club
04.18 – Chico, CA @ Naked Lounge
04.19 – Reno, NV @ The Loving Cup
04.20 – Nevada City @ Gold Vibe
04.22 – Portland, OR @ Mano Ocular
04.24 – Eugene, OR @ Sam Bond’s Garage
04.25 – Redding, CA @ Fratelli’s
04.26 – Merced, CA @ The Partisan
04.27 – Los Angeles, CA @ On Joy
