I listen to so many different styles of music. From rock to jazz, electronica to country, there isn’t too many genres I skip. Despite mixing it up when it comes to genres, just about every style adheres to a certain template. Verse, chorus, verse chorus etc. There is, sometimes a release that comes out of nowhere and transcends this format. Something other worldly that can’t be define by mere genre labels. Today that release is the new 7″ from Chives.
I can’t even begin to explain the madness that is the project Chives. Sometimes it’s a garage band, sometimes an avant-garde visual experience, and sometimes a one person rockabilly show. Unpredictability is the only constant. It’s what makes Chives’ mastermind, Ryan Perkins, tick. Payasso isn’t any easier to describe either. The title track begins in such a way, I honestly thought my turntable was malfunctioning!
After some weird tape effects and what sounds like a song throwing up, the title track snaps into an infectious groove. The funk flavored bass groove is elevated by vocal chants and a electronic beat that may or may not be digital. The B side “Family Pearls” builds on the same premise but goes even further down the hole of experimentation.
“Payasso” by Chives
Payasso is released on 7″ vinyl exclusively through Greenway Records and available in 2 limited variants. “Family Pearls” white is the variant I own. That one is limited to 200 copies. Then there’s the deluxe magenta/white/black splatter that also features an exclusive alternate sleeve by the deliciously twisted Dan Curran, who has done most of Greenway’s alternate covers.
With such emphasis on experimentation, it would be easy to write this 7″ off as just another bizarre release for your collection. And while it certainly is weird and probably unlike anything you’ve heard this year, both tracks are extremely catchy and fun to listen to. It’s not everyday an avant-garde release finds itself being an earworm. Greenway has a knack for putting out releases like this and it’s no question Chives is in good company.
For more information on Chives, please visit the Facebook page
To purchase Payasso on vinyl, please visit Greenway Records
