Palehound’s El Kempner speaks to Atwood Journal in regards to the excellent storm of feelings and sound that’s the band’s newest report, ‘Eye on the Bat.’

Stream: ‘Eye on the Bat’ – Palehound

It’s self-deprecating, but additionally it’s speculated to be empowering. I’m taking the hits, however I’m nonetheless shifting by way of them.

Life takes pleasure in tearing you aside. Limb by limb and tooth by tooth you’re discarded, defenseless for all to see.

Palehound’s fourth report, Eye on The Bat (out July 14, 2023 by way of Polyvinyl) revels on this muck and mire, as El Kempner spares no expense in what they name a “breakup report”. Accompanied by unrelenting guitar and whirlwind drums, Kempner’s confessional phrases let you stand within the eye of the hurricane, relishing the storm from each doable angle.

Kempner recounts the torture of a corset and the uncomfortable artwork of seduction on opening observe “Good Intercourse.” The guitar drolls within the foreground as Kempner vacantly recollects the time they “imagined what this is able to seem like if it weren’t us.” Painfully self-aware, the reminiscence rapidly turns from embarrassingly candy to brutally bitter, as with the ultimate chords you understand the connection is doomed. Kempner’s diary entry lays down the legislation; the remnants of affection are humiliation, rage, delusion, and every part in between.

“The Clutch” is a shockwave of defiance. Harking back to 2000s favorites Inexperienced Day and Interpol, the guitar drives the observe to the sting of the cliff as Kempner shouts, “It’s a punch within the intestine.” The observe is anxious to the purpose of detonation, culminating in Kempner’s shrill and wavering falsetto, which erupts into resentment as they sing: “And I’m glad that you simply discovered your self, however you didn’t want my assist.” The observe ends with defiant exhaustion as Kempner digs of their heels, decided to not fall.

The depth of “Independence Day” and “The Clutch” fade into the title observe, “Eye on the Bat.” The guitar’s riff is wise as a whip, caught on a loop behind Kempner’s decisive one-liner. They sing by way of pursed lips, “‘Trigger suckers will all let you know to maintain awaiting the ball, however we all know higher than that. Preserve your eye on the bat.”  Kempner goes by way of all the motions, transitioning from resistance to resolve in later tracks. “Route 22” carries a candy acoustic melody, with a plainsong, “I come to play, I come to bleed. We come to giggle, you come to see the nice in me.” Kempner is the proper sacrifice, the kindling thrown on the embers of affection. Even the straightforward moments are sung in mourning, as Kempner wonders aloud, “What good’s the nice in me should you can’t see?”

Atwood Journal spoke to El Kempner of Palehound about each emotion below the solar. Kempner has the supernatural capability to make use of violence, humor, anxiousness, love, and heartbreak multi function breath. Eye on the Bat is the proper soundtrack for depth.

I’ve violent inner reactions to what occurs to me. My anxiousness is so bodily and brutal. “Punch within the intestine” is what it felt like for me.

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Watch: “The Clutch” – Palehound

A CONVERSATION WITH PALEHOUND

Atwood Journal: That is Palehound’s first report in fairly just a few years! Are you able to discuss in regards to the recording course of?

El Kempner: I began writing the album in 2020, so it was a very long time coming. The items began coming collectively throughout lockdown. I began banking the songs I used to be writing throughout COVID, and as quickly because it felt protected to go to a studio and report we received began on the method. My label, Polyvinyl, began to recommend some producers, however it was clear the most effective case situation was to work with Sam Evian. We recorded at Flying Cloud Recordings in Woodstock, New York. We have been recording in a lounge, primarily. It was the proper vibe, actually. It didn’t really feel like this set of songs wanted a giant recording studio.

You’ve referred to as this report “a breakup album.” Are you able to contact on that?

El Kempner: It is a breakup report within the sense that the core of it’s about heartache and alter and studying about stay as a person, whether or not you’re in a partnership or you’re single. A few of these songs have been love songs after I wrote them. “Good Intercourse” was written as an inside joke to an ex. I used to be pondering the music represented the energy of our love, however in hindsight, it was clearly in regards to the finish of a relationship. I wrote “Independence Day” after. The breakup is the centerpiece of the album, however lots was written earlier than it and in anticipation of it. It;s not the one factor that occurred, however it was the first occasion in my life on the time.

Once I take heed to your music, I really feel a robust sense of nostalgia. What emotion do you primarily affiliate with this report?

El Kempner: I feel after I take heed to the report now, I sense nostalgia. It was by no means intentional. I feel “Independence Day” is probably the most nostalgic of all of them. It’s in regards to the ache of the selection. “Good Intercourse” additionally feels nostalgic as a result of it was such a selected snapshot of our relationship. I normally write about what I’m overwhelmed with feeling. “My Evil” was in regards to the guilt and torture in me.

You describe your intense emotions with violent photographs. Have you ever all the time had this tendency?

El Kempner: Yeah! I feel it simply is smart to me. I’ve violent inner reactions to what occurs to me. My anxiousness is so bodily and brutal. “Punch within the intestine” is what it felt like for me. “Head like Soup” was about intercourse but additionally about anxiousness. It has all the time been my default.

There’s a whole lot of humor in your music as effectively, whether or not or not it’s one-liners or unusual phrases. Often, you’re on the butt of the joke. Why the self-deprecation?“]

El Kempner: It’s self-deprecating, but additionally it’s speculated to be empowering. I’m taking the hits, however I’m nonetheless shifting by way of them. I’ve all the time written to reduce the severity of the sensation.

Palehound has been round for a decade! How has your relationship with the venture modified?“]

El Kempner: A lot! I’m not even 30 but, so I began very younger. It’s each rising and altering. I feel I’ve been trying to find my id for the previous ten years. Even how we play reveals and work together has modified. The aim was all the time to have the ability to make music sustainable. I by no means shot for fame or the massive leagues. I needed to develop as an artist. I needed to tour, journey, and meet different musicians I cherished. I by no means thought it could really occur!

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Stream: “My Evil” – Palehound

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 © Tonje Thilesen

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