Grunge-rock / punk trio deliver an emotively dark track off their upcoming album ‘Traumantic’
TROY, NY | August 23, 2018 – NY grunge trio Candy Ambulance return with a raw new single “Road Valium” today. A delicious blend of punchy grunge-rock is splashed with twist of punk antics and pop hooks to build the band’s unique and addictive sound. Self-deprecating lyrics are served in cheeky, brash manner, while diving deep into intimately personal truths. “Road Valium” comes off Candy Ambulance’s upcoming album Traumantic, out September 13th.
“This song is very on-brand me,” shared vocalist Caitlin Barker. “The subject matter is pretty dark – Iʼm admitting that I seek chaos and attention in order to distract myself from deeper wounds – yet Iʼm delivering it in an incredibly cheeky manner. Iʼm flirting, Iʼm drawing you in and Iʼm letting you know that the ride is gonna be a rough (but usually pretty fun) one. When I say “every time I find a spot to lie in I get so uncomfortable” I mean it. If I stopped partying or chasing men Iʼd go absolutely bonkers.” The single, and upcoming album, reflect heavily on Barker’s personal experiences as she confronts trauma, past relationships, and self-analysis in therapy.
““Iʼm in bed with everybody, I know” is something I wrote as a joke about how I canʼt stop hooking up with my friends, but upon reflection, I know it could be relatable to people. What other energies to you bring home with you when you lie down to sleep?” shared Barker. An incredibly open admittance, Barker notes the support of bandmates bassist Jesse Bolduc, and drummer Jon Cantiello as crucial to her comfort in addressing hard truths. Splashed with a fiercely brash and brazen delivery, they speak honestly, revealing the truth: we’re all human, we’ve all got problems, and you might as well enjoy the time you’ve got.
Candy Ambulance has found their niche of gritty grunge, served up with a dash of punk antics and glued together with irresistible pop hooks. Their upcoming full-length Traumantic, due out September 13, 2019, was notably recorded and produced by The Replacementsʼ Tommy Stinson and includes a slide guitar collaboration from Josh Marre (Blue Ranger, Pinegrove). Raw, emotive, and deeply personal, Barker summarizes the album as “the sum of my life experiences with men.”
Since the release of their 2018 EP Spray the band has been making impressive moves across the scene, with relentless touring, including opening for acts such as Screaming Females, PVRIS, Speedy Ortiz, Daddy Issues, and Dorothy. Numerous publications have praised the trio; as Idobi Radio shared, they’re “bringing back the raw, unpredictable energy of grunge,” and Dying Scene noted them as an “…ode to great 90’s grunge-punk”.
In DIY fashion, the band self-released a music video for the album’s title track “Traumantic” last month. Working with Chomoscope Productions, the one-shot take revolves around a table, as the band’s friends come out to party and have some rowdy fun. A the end, the band finds themselves contently alone – always having each others backs. “We just let loose and relied on the magic of the energy in the room. It translated!” laughed Barker. “The concept is a reflection of how Iʼm feeling right now. Itʼs melancholy. Thereʼs chaos, partying, and drinking but in the end itʼs me and the boys. It canʼt always be a good time, but ultimately it feels incredible to know when the partyʼs over, Iʼve got my best friends.”
“Road Valium” is out everywhere today including Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music. The full album can be pre-ordered on Bandcamp, and physicals will be available on public release.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
August 30 – Albany Distilling Company – Albany, NY
ABOUT CANDY AMBULANCE:
Troy, NYʼs Candy Ambulance are Jesse Bolduc (bass), Jon Cantiello (drums) and Caitlin Barker (guitar, vocals). Formed in 2014, the trio have been honing their songwriting and touring around in a Toyota Corolla these past 5 years. Their upcoming EP, Traumantic (recorded and produced by The Replacementsʼ Tommy Stinson), boasts raw, emotive lyrics, poppy grunge hooks and slide guitar collaboration from the ever so talented Josh Marre (Blue Ranger, Pinegrove).
Barker says the album is about “the sum of my lifeʼs experiences with men, abusive power dynamics in relationships, therapy, and how I relate to people from those experiences. Its rough around the edges. So am I. I was blackout drunk for all the vocal tracking.”
Press photo by Graham Images
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