The Rocketboys’ Justin Wiseman debuts FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS, Releases Eponymous EP, Music Video for “Seeds”

For fans of: M83, Beach House, War on Drugs, Washed Out, Passion Pit

Purchase FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS’ EP via iTunes HERE
View Music Video for single “Seeds” exclusively via Idobi Radio HERE

AUSTIN, TX – AUGUST 9, 2016 – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and nobody exemplifies the idiom more so than The Rocketboys’ keyboardist, Justin Wiseman, who debuts his DIY alter-ego, FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS, today. The eponymous five-song EP (typeset as friendswithbenefits) delicately weaves its way between triumph and tragedy, channeling and reflecting the course of Wiseman’s recent career experiences, as well as personal endeavors. In support of the release, FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS will be performing a showcase at Stubb’s in Austin, TX on August 13th with Jared & the Mill. Details can be found through the facebook event [HERE] and tickets can be purchased [HERE].

“This EP is a result of several years of songwriting during a time that, for my main project [The Rocketboys], was full of some of the most extreme highs and lows of my career,” states Wiseman. “The undulating highs and lows seeded the emotional soil of the songs – songs of anticipation, anxiety, wanting to move ahead but feeling held back self-doubt versus eagerness, remorsefulness for things done wrong – all threaded together the optimism of love (I celebrated my fifth anniversary this year) and the gift of music.”

Purchase FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS’ EP via iTunes HERE.

Coinciding with the friendswithbenefits release is a music video for lead single, “Seeds,” the EP’s third track. The star of the video is one of Wiseman’s piano students, seven-year-old Ace, who is “obsessed with costumes and dressing up,” in Wiseman’s words. “The video concept was born out of Ace’s affinity for dressing up combined with the song’s overall theme of remorse for acting ‘childish’ and selfish, not realizing the burden others carried. The childishness in the video is manifested in the brash idea that you would (or could) destroy a whole city, or that you would follow someone to do something like that simply because they look badass.” The music video was shot and edited by Billy Cano.

Stream the music video for “Seeds” via Idobi Radio HERE

friendswithbenefits is a keyboard-driven hook-fest, comparable to heavy hitters, Beach House, Washed Out, or War on Drugs. It was mixed by Lang Freeman, mastered by Danny Stapleton, and features the guitar-playing of Brandon Kinder and Kyle Samuel. The EP’s physical release was designed by Brandon Craddock, with photographic collaboration from Whitney Wiseman.

Biography:
FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS is the musical child of Justin Wiseman, keyboardist for Austin-based anthemic rock band The Rocketboys. FWB is a modern take on 80s synth-pop that both musically and lyrically balances density and whimsy. Surprisingly powerful arrangements for these “bedroom” recordings feature more keyboards than can fit into a 500 square foot downtown Austin apartment (don’t bring it up in front of the Mrs. though – it’s a touchy subject!).

After a decade or so accompanying and rarely stepping out beyond the role of a collaborator in projects such as The Rocketboys, Quiet Company, Dustin Kensrue, and Stoney, FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS is a progressive step forward for Wiseman as a songwriter, arranger, singer, and lead-keyboardist. Wiseman honed the sound and artistic direction over the past few years – ones full of notable triumphs and near-defeating lulls professionally. This long incubation contributed to the EP’s broad emotional range.

Musically, similarities to modern keyboard-heavy outfits such as Beach House or Washed Out immediately emerge, but also a keen sense of melody, pop-sensibility, and hooky-ness dominate the album and carve a fresh area of the genre.

Connect with FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS:
facebook.com/fwbatx
(Twitter) @fwbatx
(Instagram) @fwbatx