Best of August 2023

you used to call me my heart
i used to call you my star

when i was a golden egg
and you bought me at the fair
raspberry on my leg
corncockle in your hair
you strangled the goose by the neck

stiff as a feather, light as a board
floating forever, wrapped in a cord

when i was a golden egg
and you bought me at the fair
raspberry on my leg
corncockle in your hair
you strangled the goose by the neck

Golden Egg

From//October - Somewhere Quiet

Hold Your Horses

The first single from Serious People.

https://www.instagram.com/seriouspeoplemusic/
https://seriouspeople.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fYw4yTUJN5Q1oWgrqGXGR?si=t8-2FOjNQR2f31dFrOy3lA

Nobody Knows I'm Twisted

In Circles

Amaretto is the fourth single off of Gooseberry's second EP: Validate Me.

Streaming everywhere August 11th, 2023.

Gooseberry's 'Amaretto' is a mesmerizing love song delving into the depths of modern romance. Evocative lyrics paint a poignant picture of love's ebbs and flows, capturing intimate moments over tea and stormy twists. A crescendo of guitars and drums, influenced by indie icons The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, & Arctic Monkeys, adds electrifying energy. 'Amaretto' is a showcase of musical prowess, blending emotion and chill vibes in an unforgettable romantic journey.

To quote our recording engineer (and producer on this project), Colin Bryson: a bold choice is made to steer this beautiful-sounding creation off the rails as loud guitars and drums build momentum, finally pushing the tempo significantly faster, only to drop us back into a love-like calm once more. The fast section of this song is about as close as we get to The Strokes (because of the universal law that an NYC rock band must at some point play a song that sounds like The Strokes). 

Follow Gooseberry on Instagram: @gooseberryband
gooseberryband.com for all things shows, merch, and more!

Lyrics:

And you’re talking in your sleep
You sound so lonely 
At war with all your anxieties 
You and what army?
Your amaretto eyes
They dart and swell 
Leave me mesmerized 
I know I don’t stand a chance
My love grows
So it goes

Okay then, baby
Cry
Okay then, baby
Okay then, baby
Cry
If you want to…

Oh my love, you have the strangest dreams
Tea in the mornings
My love, you say the strangest things
This isn’t working 
Coming alive when I say your name 
Pull you in tight, now we’re dancing 
Sounds blasé when I say but it’s true
I love you 

Okay then, baby
Cry
Okay then, baby
Okay then, baby
Cry
If you want to
If you want to

Okay then, baby
Cry
Okay then, baby
Okay then, baby
Cry
Okay then, baby
Cry
Okay then, baby
Okay then, baby
Cry
If you want to
If you want to
If you want to

Amaretto

Kikiyon is the first single off of Gooseberry's upcoming debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle. A bold blend of alternative rock, grunge, and punk, echoing the spirit of Nirvana. With Asa Daniels's raw vocals, Evin Rossington's thunderous drums, and Will Hammond's driving bass, the song confronts judgmental attitudes and personal identity. There's also that name: "Kikiyon." We'll let you look it up. 

The story of Kikiyon challenges the absurdity of debating trivial matters and calls for prioritizing unity over frivolous disputes. This song also explores the deep personal connection to Jewish culture and the significance of owning one's name, rejecting attempts to control their identity. At a time when the complexities of Jewish identity and politics have never been more fraught— particularly in the context of the ongoing calamity in Gaza and rising antisemitism, Kikiyon crashes through the hypocrisy and propaganda all around.

The album was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it.

--
Bio:

Gooseberry is a trio from Brooklyn, New York born during the Fall of 2019. Their combination of alternative rock, indie, and blues is a recipe for a unique sound that Gooseberry delivers in each song. The band consists of Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass).

Since the release of their 2022 debut EP Broken Dance, Gooseberry has been busy. Their eminently engaging music has tickled the ears and stirred the hearts of both music fans and the industry itself. The band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, garnering praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. Yet, more than anything, they have focused on doing what they do best: playing shows. They’ve played all along the east coast, often with local heartthrobs (My Son The Doctor, Meyru, Cab Ellis) and major touring acts (BabyJake, Grady Spencer & The Work, Tanner Usrey, Maybird) alike. 

On August 25th, 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort: Validate Me. Validate Me as a cohesive piece of art eloquently showcases the unique alternative rock sound that is wholly Gooseberry. This record is foundationally, fundamentally, whole-heartedly Gooseberry. No more, no less. Daniels’s dynamic songwriting soaring over Rossington’s bombastic drums; Hammond’s fluid bass lines the glue holding it all together. Road-keen musicianship wrapped around witty lyricism. More than anything, though, Validate Me proves that Gooseberry knows exactly who they are – gritty rock born at the nexus of DIY and arena-ready pop – and good god they are unapologetic about it.

In support of the new record, Gooseberry hit the road for two months on The Validation Tour, the majority of which featured headline dates. This included a headline show at the legendary Bowery Ballroom in NYC, where they sold nearly 500 tickets! The band now boasts roughly 30K monthly listeners on Spotify and 4K+ followers on Instagram. Since its release, Validate Me has surpassed 450K streams on Spotify. 2024 is shaping up to be Gooseberry’s biggest year yet, with the band hard at work on their next record and touring plans already in motion.

Kikiyon

Dying To Meet You is about death. Or maybe life? Certainly one of the two. Maybe both. Ultimately, none of us knows much about either, and so if anything, this song is about sneering at those who think they’ve got it figured out. I've always been fascinated by the human need to know about what happens after all this. In prior centuries, there were whole industries built around guaranteeing salvation (and to some extent, there still are)! There's something about this tune that is eerie, like something beyond explanation is peering over your shoulder waiting for you to turn your head around. I wanted the song to sonically convey the sense of unease we all feel when thinking a little too deeply about closing our eyes for good. For the breakdowns in this song, our producer (Colin Bryson) brought a tiny handheld distortion mic into the studio for me to scream into. And I screamed my head off. That was cathartic. Hopefully this song brings our fans catharsis. Or a sore throat.

The album was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it.

--
Bio:

Gooseberry is a trio from Brooklyn, New York born during the Fall of 2019. Their combination of alternative rock, indie, and blues is a recipe for a unique sound that Gooseberry delivers in each song. The band consists of Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass).

Since the release of their 2022 debut EP Broken Dance, Gooseberry has been busy. Their eminently engaging music has tickled the ears and stirred the hearts of both music fans and the industry itself. The band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, garnering praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. Yet, more than anything, they have focused on doing what they do best: playing shows. They’ve played all along the east coast, often with local heartthrobs (My Son The Doctor, Meyru, Cab Ellis) and major touring acts (BabyJake, Grady Spencer & The Work, Tanner Usrey, Maybird) alike.

On August 25th, 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort: Validate Me. Validate Me as a cohesive piece of art eloquently showcases the unique alternative rock sound that is wholly Gooseberry. This record is foundationally, fundamentally, whole-heartedly Gooseberry. No more, no less. Daniels’s dynamic songwriting soaring over Rossington’s bombastic drums; Hammond’s fluid bass lines the glue holding it all together. Road-keen musicianship wrapped around witty lyricism. More than anything, though, Validate Me proves that Gooseberry knows exactly who they are – gritty rock born at the nexus of DIY and arena-ready pop – and good god they are unapologetic about it.

In support of the new record, Gooseberry hit the road for two months on The Validation Tour, the majority of which featured headline dates. This included a headline show at the legendary Bowery Ballroom in NYC, where they sold nearly 500 tickets! The band now boasts roughly 30K monthly listeners on Spotify and 4K+ followers on Instagram. Since its release, Validate Me has surpassed 450K streams on Spotify. 2024 is shaping up to be Gooseberry’s biggest year yet, with the band hard at work on their next record and touring plans already in motion.

Dying To Meet You

The second song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle, is the title track: Cattle.

Cattle is a song about feeling guilty about how selfish the pursuit of art (or really greatness in any field) can seem. So much of making something is about finding an audience for your work so it can be chewed on and held and loved and talked about. But that can’t happen if no one ever hears it. And so artists spend so much of their time promoting that it can feel like all we do is badger our friends and family to listen to our work and support us by buying tickets over and over. It’s mentally draining because you realize that, even if you don’t intend to, you’re suddenly using the people closest to you to further your own ambition. And it’s all inherently selfish (or at least I believe it to be). Every modern musician has had the experience of going to text a friend about an upcoming show and realizing the last time you spoke was… to tell them about an upcoming show. 

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio: 

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

Cattle

One of the Good Ones is the penultimate song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

A send up of one of the most insidious phrases in the English language, “one of the good ones.” A phrase that does the heavy lifting of bigots everywhere, inadvertently or not. The song is told from the perspective of a middle aged white man as he discusses (probably with a friend or colleague of the same ilk) his interactions with people he sees as the “other” (e.g. his daughters friends, his housekeeper). We’ve already sung about despicable despots (Swindle), but for my money, this character is worse. 

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio:

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

One Of The Good Ones

Golden is the eighth song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

A Foo Fighters-driven arena rock tune with a killer solo by the one and only Evin Rossington! This song is about the headrush when you feel something real and true. Whether that’s love or purpose or epiphany or faith, it’s like getting smacked across the face by the ocean mist (or what it’s like to chew 5gum). 

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio:

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

Golden

Start Over is the final song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

This is the most ambitious and proggiest tune we’ve ever gone after as a band. This song is an odyssey. We like to think of this tune and “Dying To Meet You” as the Life and Death Suite. I don’t know which one is the death and which the birth (even if it’s in the titles), but I do know this song is about the wonder of life and death and how we must go on each day living knowing that at some point this all stops. I don’t think I necessarily believe in reincarnation as it stands in other faiths, but I have a hard time imagining never ending pitch black. What if we start again after all? As the chorus states, we’re all haunting around a little maze in this life. And right as we think we’ve gotten somewhere, the curtains roll. Wouldn’t it be nice to start again?

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio:

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

Start Over

Baby Do You? is the sixth song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

No need to complicate: this is a fun, silly punk tune about getting high and watching HBO. The world gets increasingly crazier each year, or so it seems. More and more it feels like we’re careening off the rails without much ability to change things. So why not get high and wonder if ET is already here posting celeb crushes on Tumblr? Kinda sounds like early Green Day and Arctic Monkeys. 

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio:

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

Baby Do You?

All The Same is the seventh song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

An alternative title here might have been 'Ruminations of an anxious person waiting for the subway to arrive.' Courtney Barnett meets RHCP. Anxiety manifests in many forms. Sometimes it keeps you up at night (like in our tune Sleep). Sometimes you think you can’t breathe right or your heart will beat out your chest. But most of the time, you have this overt sensation that something isn’t quite right but it isn’t enough to throw off your day. So you just… exist. And so this song features a lot of the rambling thoughts tumbling about in my brain. It also continues a theme throughout much of this album, which is that I don’t know where I land on faith (“I don’t even know my god”) but I also don’t know why we sweat it if it’s all the same in the end. Ultimately, I hope someone hears this and knows they’re not alone in thinking they’ve got no control over their internal organs. Or at least I hope some of our fans get really into gardening. 

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio:

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

All The Same

Cherry Blossoms is the fifth song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

A love song, through and through. Definitely the most Beatles-y tune we’ve ever done. This song is about how love softens the edges of a life lived. Another major theme of this tune is memory. I’ve always been fascinated by it. Photographic memory got me through high school. I spent months during the pandemic scanning and cataloging photos of my family dating back to the 1800s. There’s something terrifying about how much of life slips through the cracks once lived, but also something beautiful about the staying power of the few moments that remain. My grandmother’s dementia has made that more tangible for me. So this song is essentially saying, “I’m gonna get it wrong a whole lot, and I won’t remember much of it in the end, but I’ll never forget the face of the ones I love.”

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio:

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

Cherry Blossoms

Bitter is the third song on Gooseberry's debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

Gotta love when the title describes what the song is about eh? A rage-infused send up of the frustrations of being in this industry. Putting all your blood, sweat, and limited resources into your art only to get passed over for a tour because the other band’s drummer’s dad or whatever is the president at _insert industry landmark_ is a kick in the teeth. It’s not an original thought. The industry has always been that way. Doesn’t make it any less infuriating. I like to think of this as a punk rock mashup of The Beach Boys and Nirvana. 

--
The album, was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

--
Band Bio: 

Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. They've become integral to NYC's music scene, performing at venues like Baby’s All Right and the Knitting Factory, as well as alongside notable touring acts such as BabyJake and Maybird.

In August 2023, Gooseberry released their sophomore effort, Validate Me, a testament to an alternative rock sound that is uniquely their own. The record exemplifies their signature sound, with Daniels's dynamic songwriting, Rossington's powerful drumming, and Hammond's melodic bass lines. Following the release, they embarked on The Validation Tour, including a packed-out headline show at NYC's iconic Bowery Ballroom. With Validate Me now boasting over 500K streams on Spotify and growing monthly listenership, Gooseberry continues to surge in popularity.

Bitter

Fresh pressed indie music. 
http://obscuresound.com

Gooseberry is a trio from Brooklyn, New York born during the Fall of 2019. Their combination of alternative rock, indie, and blues is a recipe for a unique sound that Gooseberry delivers in each song. The band consists of Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass).

Since the release of their 2022 debut EP Broken Dance, Brooklyn, NY indie rock trio Gooseberry have been busy. Their eminently engaging music has tickled the ears and stirred the hearts of both music fans and the industry itself. The band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. 

Yet, more than anything, in the ten months since the release, Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass) have been focused on doing what they do best: playing shows. Deeply connected to the scene in NYC and Brooklyn, they have dazzled crowds from the iconic Baby’s All Right to the legendary Knitting Factory. “We are super fortunate to call a lot of really great - and buzzing - NYC bands our friends” says Daniels. “We feel ourselves part of that community and eternally grateful for being welcomed with such open arms. Our hometown has truly shaped what this band has become.” Gooseberry has played all along the east coast, often with local heartthrobs (My Son The Doctor, Meyru, Cab Ellis) and major touring acts (BabyJake, Grady Spencer & The Work, Tanner Usrey, Maybird) alike.

Now, the power trio is back with a new slate of songs born in Greenpoint and honed to perfection on the road. Conceived and fleshed out over the course of a year, Validate Me as a cohesive piece of art eloquently showcases the unique alternative rock sound that is wholly Gooseberry. “Life as a trio allows us to really lean into dynamics,” explains Daniels. “We can hit you with a squall of distortion and guttural shouts, then shift on a dime and sing you a lullaby.”  

Thematically, Validate Me grapples with the relationship between love and making art, magnifying the sacrifices and leaps of faith both require. “Anger as a device can lead to both polished and rough expressions of passion,” says Daniels. “Much of that anger manifests from fear, which drives us down many wayward paths, whether it be fear of rejection, fear of too much understanding, or fear of losing control.”

In addition to Daniels, Rossington, and Hammond, the record features performances by honorary fourth member, Dan Janis, on saxophone and flute. Tracked at two Manhattan studios, Precision Sound Studios and Orbital Music & Sound, the record was produced by the band along with Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson. Longtime collaborator and Grammy-award winning engineer James Meslin (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension, John Petrucci) mixed the record. 

What the trio created during these sessions is a record that is foundationally, fundamentally, whole-heartedly Gooseberry. No more, no less. Daniels’s dynamic songwriting soaring over Rossington’s bombastic drums; Hammond’s fluid bass lines the glue holding it all together. Road-keen musicianship wrapped around witty lyricism. More than anything, though, Validate Me proves that Gooseberry knows exactly who they are – gritty rock born at the nexus of DIY and arena-ready pop – and good god they are unapologetic about it.

Amaretto

Gooseberry

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