Atlanta-based Parsons Rocket Project has announced they will be releasing their self-titled debut EP in August. Comprised of six tracks, this is a beautiful mixed bag of dream-gaze, indie rock and space rock. For now, they are previewing their first single ‘Exit Launch’, which occupies a sweet spot between Blonde Redhead, My Bloody Valentine, Bowery Electric and Slowdive.
Parsons Rocket Project takes its name from American rocket propulsion engineer, chemist, and occultist Jack Parsons. The band formed in 2015 when drummer, lyricist, and titular figurehead Jody Hasty started collaborating with bassist Paul Curry, guitarist Jeff Holt, and multi-instrumentalist producer/engineer Benjamin Price at Studilaroche in Atlanta. They were later joiined by K. Michelle Dubois on vocals.
The band laid down the tracks for this album in the very studio, where Benjamin Price has also worked on releases by Gang of Four and The Hives, among others. The album was mastered by Joe Lambert (Lou Reed, Animal Collective, The National, Hot Chip, Deerhunter, Panda Bear, Washed Out).
“Exit Launch is about the allegorical descent of man through the story of Lucifer’s fall. The imperfection of man and darkness in our hearts that still exists through vanity, pride, materialism (mirrors) and false words of encouragement / deceit of the tongue (sound). ‘Lucky lunar girls, Snowblind in the night’ alludes to the fashion industry and cocaine,” explains Jody Hasty.
“Maybe it’s a longer way for me to describe what Oscar Wilde did in one sentence: “We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.”
Parsons Rocket Project’s musical output has been described as a mixture of ambient, dream pop, indie and space rock. They infuse this multi-colored trippery with the shimmering oceanic resonance of shoegaze and neo-psychedelia to round out this first release.
“We embraced the beautiful noise concept, but strayed from the classic shoegaze template that many bands adhere to. so there are some different feels and sounds to it like this fun disco thump thing with the synth bass on “exit launch.” that really pissed off some people in the studio, but it was the kick the track needed,” explains Paul Curry.
Parsons’ members cite a number of artist influences, including Flying Saucer Attack, Tape Cuts Tape, Spacemen 3, Eluvium, Swervedriver, Aix Em Klemm, William Basinski, and Clams Casino. However, their sound is closer to Slowdive, Spiritualized, Trespassers William, Mojave 3, and Mazzy Star.
This debut EP represents a significant moment in time for the band, who were challenged to overcome very real struggles involving drug abuse, a terrible automobile accident, and the low-level daily drama of domesticity. Some of the ambient and psychedelic exploration is rooted in real trauma – both physical and emotional – while some of it is celebratory in nature, rooted in the unique awareness of a temporary conscious being in our universe.
‘Parsons Rocket Project’ will be released digitally on August 11, with vinyl to follow via the New Texture label. The digital version is now available for pre-order on the artist’s Bandcamp at https://parsonsrocketproject.bandcamp.com/album/parsons-rocket-project
CREDITS
Jody Hasty – Lyrics, Synth, Electric Piano, Drums
Paul Curry – Bass
Benjamin Price – Guitar, Percussion, Midnight Editing
Jeff Holt – Guitar
K. Michelle Dubois – Vocals
Thad Goad – Logo and Sleeve Design
Anne Nicoletti, Jennifer Colson Demer, Michelle Barnette – Backing Vocals (Interlude II)
Produced and Engineered by Benjamin Price at StudilaRoche in Atlanta
Mastered by Joe Lambert, at Joe Lambert Mastering in New Jersey
Jody Hasty – Lyrics, Synth, Electric Piano, Drums
Paul Curry – Bass
Benjamin Price – Guitar, Percussion, Midnight Editing
Jeff Holt – Guitar
K. Michelle Dubois – Vocals
Thad Goad – Logo and Sleeve Design
Anne Nicoletti, Jennifer Colson Demer, Michelle Barnette – Backing Vocals (Interlude II)
Produced and Engineered by Benjamin Price at StudilaRoche in Atlanta
Mastered by Joe Lambert, at Joe Lambert Mastering in New Jersey
LYRICS for EXIT LAUNCH
Bright light and sound
When you flashed across the sky
On you your way falling down
They said you had it made
Walking through stones of fire
Now you’re flying around the world
On mirrors and sound
So you smile
At lucky lunar girls
Snow-blind in the night
On their way falling down
They always lose their mind
Looking up from the ground
And you’re flying around the world
On mirrors and sound
TRACK LIST
1 Exit Launch
2 Interlude I
3 Burn
3 Burn
4 One Moor Call
5 Solar Flare
6 Interlude II
Keep up with Parsons Rocket Project
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