CLIQUE

Topshelf Records

Hailing from Philadelphia, and comprised of PJ Carroll (Vocals/Guitar), Brandon Shipp (Guitar/Vocals), Tom Anthony (Drums) and Travis Arterburn (Bass), CLIQUE are a melodic indie-rock band who are sure to catch the ear of any fan of the early heart-on-sleeve alternative scene.

Formed from the ashes of various other bands – singer/guitarist PJ played in Girl Scouts and The Hundred Acre Woods, while Travis played drums in Ted Nguyent – influences from these previous punk, math-rock and even indie-folk projects combined into a new project, CLIQUE, over which hangs a much more pressing darkness thanks to gloomy guitar riffs, world-weary vocals and strong, steady basslines.

Naming their musical influences as Pedro The Lion, Duster and Bedhead, their debut self-titled LP was released in September 2014, and led to them signing with Topshelf Records, as well as playing shows with leaders of the rising US indie-punk scene like Modern Baseball and Sorority Noise.

The band’s upcoming second album, Burden Piece (Topshelf Records) was produced by Travis Arterburn (the bass player) at The Headroom, Philadelphia over 8 days in November –he also produced their self-titled there in the fall of 2014 – and perfectly hits that spot in the middle of your chest with warm showers of twinkling guitar, calming vocals and languid riffs throughout.

Lyrically, uncomfortably raw subject matter is delivered tranquilly in songs like “Usage” – ‘No I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me / A hollow shell of the things I hoped that I could be / Sometimes I wish I’m someone else / Cus I have no control of myself’ – while others like “Mess” and “Boundaries” assess the existential crises of the twenty-something; waking up late and wondering why anything matters – or if it even does.