Mod pop, post-hardcore, 60s soul, ambient electronic music, midcentury design, abstract expressionism, French New Wave cinema; it’s all collage material for Perennial.
Formed in 2015 by electric organist Chelsey Hahn, guitarist Chad Jewett and drummer Wil Mulhern, the band is equal parts manic basement show rave-up and studio-as-instrument headphone listening. To see the New England three-piece in person is to experience a 20-minute burst of kinetic energy: dynamic, reckless, bombastic. To put on one of Perennial’s records is to spend almost the same amount of time with impeccably layered studio-as-instrument punk modernism.
The band’s newest release (and Ernest Jenning Record Co. debut), the flexi disc EP Lemon On Plastic, finds Perennial further experimenting with their angular sonic impressionism. Opening with the British Invasion garage rock stomp of “Art History”, the EP spends its five minutes equally evoking early rhythm-and-noise singles by The Who and Small Faces and the art-damaged mood music of Stereolab and Broadcast. An early hint of more studio adventures to come, Lemon On Plastic is the newest and most daring edition of the Perennial Sound.
credits
released February 27, 2024
Chelsey Hahn - Electric Organ & Vocals, Synthesizer, Electric Piano, Ambient Drums
Chad Jewett - Guitar & Vocals, Drum Machine Programming, Tambourine, Fuzz Bass, Analog Synthesizer
Wil Mulhern - Drums & Percussion
Lemon On Plastic was recorded in 2023 & 2024 at Silver Bullet Studios in Burlington Connecticut and Perennial House in Connecticut.
Engineered and mixed by Chris Teti & Perennial.
Lemon On Plastic was co-produced by Perennial & Chris Teti.
Mastered by Rachel Field & Ed Brooks at Resonant Mastering in Seattle Washington.
supported by 26 fans who also own “Lemon On Plastic EP”
A fantastic album. I can see why they didn't continue under the name The Evens, as it's a different sound with the bass added. Coriky is the Evens + Joe Lally from Fugazi on bass. If you can imagine The Evens with a slightly more funky, aggressive sound like Fugazi... that's what you get! And there's no way that can ever go wrong. What a great debut album!! smiledozer
The six songs on this record combine the brass-heavy sounds of jazz and afrobeat with pulsing dance beats to intoxicating effect. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 25, 2020
Super cool ESG-style herky-jerky post-punk with lots of groove, attitude, and glitched out electronics plus wiry guitars. Truly wild stuff! Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 27, 2023
The mix of shoegaze, punk, and noise from this Seattle band is notable for its urgency and bright, foregrounded vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 9, 2023
supported by 16 fans who also own “Lemon On Plastic EP”
Dammit every track makes me smile. How did you do that? If a friend recommends this album to you, hang on to them because they're just as fabulously messed up as you are. I'd like to thank my bank for allowing me to buy things online again. Thank you. Everyone. Thanks. duskbringer