‘Sugarwave’ by Seattle’s Black Nite Crash reveals an optimistic side to their new album
4 min read
Black Nite Crash is a band from Seattle, whose music spans multiple sub-genres of the general pop-rock bracket. Moving on from the storyteller-type lead track ‘The Take’, led by male vocals, the band transitions to a new single seemingly inspired by The Go-Go’s and Blondie. ‘Sugarwave’ is a high energy single with a driving, melodic take on indie-rock influenced post-punk.
Their album ‘Washed in the Sound with Black Nite Crash’ was mixed by longtime collaborator Matt Brown (Trespassers William) and mastered by Adam Straney. The most diverse set of songs the band has ever released, here they combine their trademark fuzzed out guitars with some newer flavours. Throughout, this is a fine listen and one deserving of your attention. The male-female tandem vocals (and sometimes appearing entirely independent of each other) is part of their winning songwriting formula.
Black Nite Crash is Jim Biggs (vocals, guitar) is joined by John Parker (bass), James Stone (guitar), Tony Zuniga (drums) and Claire Tucker (guitar/vocals). Formed twenty years ago, Black Nite Crash has involved more than 30 members over the years, surrounding Jim Biggs, the last remaining original member. Yet somehow, the band has maintained a coherent sound and vision.
“This is the band’s fifth full length in nearly twenty years of existence, and it looks to be the start of a period of more frequent releases as we work through our backlog of unreleased recorded songs, not to mention the surplus of new material we’re working on even now,” says Jim Biggs.
“The lyrics for ‘Sugarwave’ started out as scenes from a dream wherein my husband pulled some rather out-of-character capers. It got me thinking about dreams he’s told me about, where I did strange or terrible things, and what that might mean about our perception of each other — and even whether there was some hidden truth to the dreams. The song eventually developed into an impression of the gap between people’s true internal selves and how everyone else perceives us, and the attempt to bridge that gap, impossible as it may be. But the desire to be known can be at odds with the allure of likes and compliments and approvals and little dopamine hits — and that’s the Sugarwave,” says Claire Tucker.
“The energy of the song is undeniable – we can’t keep still while playing it. We haven’t done anything quite like it in a while. It’s another piece on the new record that feels, for us, like a bit of a departure from the last few albums. We’ve been trying to let the songs just come and guide us rather than trying to force things to sound like some preconceived notion of what the band should sound like”.
Work on the ‘Washed in the Sound with Black Nite Crash’ LP began before the pandemic, the songs a reflection of a band finding its feet again, with (then) relatively new members Claire Tucker and Sharim Johnson putting their imprint on this batch of songs. Then lockdowns began before tracking could be completed.
As of September 20, ‘Sugarwave’ will be available everywhere online, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The ‘Washed in the Sound with Black Nite Crash’ LP will be released on October 14 through American boutique label Neon Sigh.
To celebrate their new album, Black Nite Crash will be playing a handful of live shows, beginning with an October 8 album release show at Seattle’s The Central Saloon, followed by the Portland release show at The Six on November 5.
CREDITS
Jim Biggs – guitars, vocals
Jasun Hadaway – bass
Tony Zuniga – drums, percussion
Claire Tucker – guitars, vocals
Sharim Johnson – guitars
Matt Brown – organ
Written by Jim Biggs / Claire Tucker
Engineered and mixed by Matt Brown at Crackle and Pop and Spaceranch Studios in Seattle, assisted by Skyler Holcombe
Produced by Matt Brown and the Band
Mastered by Adam Straney at Breakpoint Mastering
‘The Take’ video directed by Jim Biggs with assistance from James Stone
‘Sugarwave’ video by Jim Biggs with add. footage by Coffee With Stripes
Album cover artwork by CJ Burton. Concept by Jim Biggs
Artist photo by Rose Dekker
TRACK LIST
1. The Take
2. S.P.M.U.
3. In Time
4. Tie Me Down
5. NY Animal
6. Sugarwave
7. Stupid Games
8. Something About You
9. Failure
LIVE SHOWS
Oct. 8 – SEATTLE – The Central Saloon (Seattle release show)
Nov. 5 – PORTLAND – The Six (PDX release show)
Dec. 16/17 – SEATTLE – Sunset Tavern (Tremolo Festival)
Black Nite Crash on the net
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