Scowl Released New EP “Psychic Dance Routine”

Photo by Alice Baxley

Santa Cruz, CA band Scowl have released their highly-anticipated EP, Psychic Dance Routine, out today on Flatspot Records. On Psychic Dance Routine, Scowl push the boundaries of their sound and artistic presence, ranging from hardcore to alternative rock with moments of pop and indie. As the band puts it, “it’s like Negative Approach meets The Breeders.” 

In September 2022, the band traveled to Pennsylvania to seclude themselves in the studio for a week, recording with Grammy-nominated producer Will Yip at Studio 4. Working with Yip was a completely collaborative experience as he not only brought life to these songs, but greatly encouraged Kat Moss as she worked on her elevated vocal style found across the record. The highlights and challenges of performing, whether in the studio, on tour, or in the act that is life, became a recurring notion on the five track EP.

As Moss states; “I chose to revolve the main theme around performance. This is both literal and figurative, as the band has been on tour practically all of 2022. My perspective of being consumed as the version of myself that is ‘performing’ has shifted dramatically, while simultaneously grappling with the experience of being a feminine artist in a world that doesn’t always take you seriously.”

Opener “Shot Down” encompasses the battle of fear versus confidence in both lyrical and sonic form, as the band teeters between circle-pit ready moments and sugary hooks. The most vulnerable and pivotal moment of the EP comes in the title track “Psychic Dance Routine.” Moss and the band emphasize their capability of writing a striking indie-alternative song filled with breathy vocals, lush melodies, and a fundamental introspective for the entire release. “Wired” highlights Scowl’s traditional hardcore sounds elevated by the guitar work of Malachi Greene and Mikey Bifolco, and bassist Bailey Lupo. Lead single “Opening Night” marries edgy melodies with dynamic riffs. Stylistically, Scowl evokes the same feeling as first hearing bands like Sonic Youth and The Strokes, making sounding cool seem almost effortless. The EP ends with “Sold Out,” a minute of a half of drum fueled chaos, by Cole Gilbert, as Moss screams about moments of perception and exhaustion.

With Psychic Dance Routine Scowl has exemplified their ethos of being true to themselves through creating innovative song structures and personable lyrics. Their ability to be genre fluid intersects with their up for anything attitude. It’s all just part of the plan for the ever-evolving band that is Scowl.

The band just wrapped up a sold out tour across the United States and Canada with Show Me The Body, Jesus Piece, Zulu, and TRiPP JONES. They are currently in New York for EP release shows at Rough Trade NYC and Flatspot World, and will then set to the desert to perform at Coachella. Showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, the band has a UK tour set to start in late April, will head to Australia for the first time in late May for shows with Speed and Sunami, a California tour with Circle Jerks in July, and festival performances across the globe. Appearances include Reading and Leeds, Sick New World, Back On The Map, Outbreak, Sonic Blast, Furnace Fest, and more. Full dates below.

Tour Dates:

4/8 – Brooklyn, NY – Flatspot World @ The Monarch

4/15 – Indio, CA @ Coachella

4/22 – Indio, CA @ Coachella

4/26 – Sheffield, UK @ Yellow Arch w/ Pest Control

4/27 – Southampton, UK @ Joiners w/ Pest Control

4/28 – London, UK @ The Dome w/ Pest Control

429 – Brighton, UK @ One Church w/ Out of Love

4/30 – Bristol, UK @ The Exchange w/ Out of Love

5/1 – Leeds, UK @ Key Club w/ Out of Love

5/2 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo w/ Out of Love

5/3 – Nottingham, UK @ Bodega w/ Out of Love

5/6 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Bamboozle

5/13 – Las Vegas, NV @ Sick New World

w/ Speed + Sunami

5/25 – Adelaide, AUS @ Lion Arts Factory

5/26 – Melbourne, AUS @ Prince Bandroom

5/27 – Melbourne, AUS @ Stay Gold

5/30 – Newcastle, AUS @ The Newcastle Hotel

5/31 – Gold Coast, AUS @ Vinnie’s Dive Bar

6/01 – Brisbane, AUS @ The Zoo

6/03 – Sydney, AUS @ Back On The Map Vol. 2

6/24 – Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Fest

w/ Circle Jerks

7/18 – Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theatre

7/19 – Arcata, CA @ Arcata Theatre Lounge

7/20 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall

7/22 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory

7/27-29 – Xixón, Spain @ Tsunami Xixón Festival

8/10-12 – Ancora, Potrugal @ Sonic Blast Festival

8/26 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival

8/27 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival

9/23 – Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest

Source: thoughtswordsaction.com