SPENCER KRUG OF WOLF PARADE RETURNS TO SUNSET RUBDOWN DROPPING NEW SINGLE “CLICHÉ TOWN”
PRONOUNCED KROOG
“Cliché Town” is the second single from Sunset Rubdown’s forthcoming album Always Happy To Explode, the band’s first release in fifteen years. The original version of “Cliché Town” was written in 2020, and posted to frontman Spencer Krug’s Patreon page as part of his song-a-month collection at the time. That demo version was made almost entirely on Krug’s laptop, consisting of a layered, delayed mess of software synths and canned drums, and so was chosen by Sunset Rubdown as a great contender to be reworked with real instruments into a full-band rock version. Sunset Rubdown’s take on the song was recorded mostly live-off-the-floor, with Krug on piano and vocals, Camilla Wynne on keyboard and omnichord, Nicholas Merz on bass, and Jordan Robson-Cramer on drums. Backup vocals by Wynne and Robson-Cramer were overdubbed later, as was the electric guitar part, written and performed by Robson-Cramer. Lyrically, the song explores feelings of frustration and hopelessness that can come with being stuck in a small town, specifically the sensation of being trapped next to, or rather below, unhinged neighbors. It is partly based on the real-life experiences of smalltown friends that Krug has made since moving to rural Vancouver Island about a decade ago.
The long and driving art rock outro of “Cliché Town” is a shining example of how different a finished song can sound from its demo once it’s been rewritten and delivered by a group of unique musicians. For this reason it is one of Krug’s favorite moments on the album, and partly why this song was chosen as the second single in the upcoming LP’s campaign.
ABOUT SUNSET RUBDOWN
Sunset Rubdown is a Canadian art rock band from Montreal, initially a solo project by Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade in 2005. The band soon expanded to include Camilla Wynne, Jordan Robson-Cramer, and Michael Doerksen. Known for their surreal, mythological lyrics and unique musical compositions, they released acclaimed albums such as Shut Up I Am Dreaming (2006) and Dragonslayer (2009), both of which earned Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” distinction. Following their disbandment in 2009, Sunset Rubdown reunited in 2022, announcing a new album, Always Happy To Explode, set for release on September 20th, 2024. The current lineup features Spencer Krug, Camilla Wynne, Nic Merz, and Jordan Robson-Cramer.
Tour Dates
10/10/24 Thu Vancouver BC Rickshaw Theatre
10/11/24 Fri Seattle WA Crocodile
10/12/24 Sat Portland OR Wonder Ballroom
10/14/24 Mon San Francisco CA Bimbo’s
10/15/24 Tue Los Angeles CA Teragram Ballroom
10/16/24 Wed Tucson AZ 191 Toole
10/18/24 Fri Austin TX The Parish
10/19/24 Sat Dallas TX Club Dada
10/20/24 Sun Baton Rouge LA Chelsea’s
10/21/24 Mon Atlanta GA Terminal West
10/22/24 Tue Durham NC Motorco Music Hall
10/23/24 Wed Washington DC Black Cat
10/24/24 Thu Philadelphia PA First Unitarian Church
10/25/24 Fri Catskills NY Glen Falls House
10/26/24 Sat Northampton MA Iron Horse Music Hall
10/27/24 Sun New York NY Irving Plaza
10/29/24 Tue Montreal QC La Tulipe
10/30/24 Wed Toronto ON Concert Hall
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Terry Ondang | Album Art Credit: Patrick MacLachlan
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SUNSET RUBDOWN – ALWAYS HAPPY TO EXPLODE
