Slow Fiction and the jagged jammy emotional waves of "In the distance, where it doesn't matter"

 

"well, the first time I met you I tried to forget you..."


It is always wonderful when a piece of music sucks you in immediately. This is the case with the lengthy titled "In the distance, where it doesn't matter" by Brooklyn's Slow Fiction. From the bending guitar lines that feel artful instead of obligatory to the jammy rhythm section with the bass and drum snap so exquisitely on beat as to be microscopically ahead of it, to the bright airy heaviness of the musical shapes that squeeze layers of surprises chords in the fray, to a narrative that gets more emotionally wrought as it goes along and to lead vocalist Julia Vassallo's emotional wail who not only has incredible pipes but a complex persona to her artful voice. 

Of "In the distance, where it doesn't matter" from their their debut self-titled EP, "Slow Fiction", due February 16, 2023 she shares: 

"There’s an old saying 'there are three sides to every story: your side, their side, and the truth.' The goal was to have this song embody a three-edged sword. Sometimes, the lines of reality and perception become distorted. The title is a line from a poem 'Imagining Defeat' by David Berman, who is a great inspiration."

Slow Fiction's style points make me think of late 70's / early 80's new wave bands that smashed together dense musicality with potent emotionally saturated songwriting. I know I tend to make connections to that time, maybe it is because I am fucking old but I can't help but think of the band The Motels (from Berkeley, California). I am really digging "In the distance, where it doesn't matter" and can imagine that seeing Slow Fiction performing it live would be awesome. If you have that opportunity, take it. 

-Robb Donker Curtius

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://www.facebook.com/slowfictionband

https://soundcloud.com/slow-fiction-971277987/sets/the-cut-niagara

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZyjpHbSpzsLV3ZEyJZBAW

https://www.instagram.com/slowfictionband/

https://slowfictionband.com/


Slow Fiction is a band from New York City. Influenced by the likes of poets like Anne Waldman, Ted Berrigan and the New York School era as well as the spirit of early 2000s garage rock bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, and The Walkmen, the group delivers a blend of their influences and personal experiences in a raw and memorable way.

Through Craigslist ads and mutual friends, the band first joined forces at Julia Vassallo’s East Village apartment. In what is now considered their first official band meeting, they sat in a circle with their guitars while Julia plucked out the bittersweet song “Brain Protection Agency”. Since that day, they’ve considered themselves a band. Their first demos were recorded live in May 2021, and launched the band into a summer and fall of playing shows throughout New York. These tracks serve as proof that even at an infantile stage, the members of Slow Fiction were meant to make music together. Slow Fiction’s first official studio releases are slated for early 2022.

Slow Fiction, alt rock, indie rock, new wave, alt pop, art pop, garage rock, post punk, "In the distance, where it doesn't matter", debut EP "Slow Fiction", Brooklyn,