Let’s get dreamy…
This is the new single from Slug Love, an Ypsi ensemble that I’ve been following for about a year, now. Up until recently, they were sorta almost as mysterious as their nondescript online artwork–a snap of some graffiti that effectively represents their band name. The band features Zach Harris (guitars/vocals), Elly Daftuar (guitars/vocals), Bob Voorheis (keyboards/vocals), Dan Shafer (drums) and Emmet Cousino (bass), and you can see them live next Saturday……………….
Slug Love are performing at Ziggy’s next Saturday (April 21) with Little Traps
Doors at 8pm
206 W. Michigan Ave
MORE INFO
Slug Love make the kind of guitar-centric, neo-shoegaze, hazy splays that evoke a sense of detached, or maybe levitated tranquility. It’s a sound that is quiet but churning, vaporous yet immersive, a slow dance that feels like an ascension of new velocities where your ears are massaged and your mind gets stimulated. The song’s called “Burden,” and yet you feel lifted.
But the human elements who brought their respective instrumental ingredients going into the recording of this song are known for creating characteristically dreamy/heady/cinematic-sounding songs that build, and swoon, and create a kind distortion-heavy reverie…Daftuar comes from Tanager and Child Sleep, while Voorheis is part of Raiths and Cousino is in Priest Potion. Then there’s Harris – part of Truman, who are known for creating cavernous soundscapes and soaring melodic configurations. All in all, it makes for a multifaceted kind of swooning…
Slug Love started off as a side project for Harris when he had down time from Truman. Daftaur has been a constant musical collaborator with Harris–the two have a friendship that goes back to their high school days. Daftuar’s sister, Martha Schmitt, joined them to make Slug Love a trio–which was its first incarnation. Shafer and Voorheis would join eventually–but Schmitt wound up moving on to other projects. They’ve been writing and recording as a quartet ever since, with Shafer’s excellent percussive dynamics facilitating the ambient bedazzlings of Voorheis’ keys, and the intertwining guitar-wizardry and harmonies of Harris and Daftuar. But then you’ve got Cousino, the newest member, bringing in some bass.
And there you have it… Slug Love.
Next Saturday at Ziggy’s!
Jeff covers music for Current, posting weekly show previews and highlighting new bands in the area.