"Now she’s goin toad mode / Oh yeah I’m talking rock & roll / Yeah that’s just how it go goes / I love when she goes toad mode"
It is rare when you hear a debut as dazzling, as sticky adhesive as "Toad Mode" by Brooklyn, New York's Sex Week, the multi-talented, multi-disciplined duo of Richard Orofino and Pearl Amanda Dickson (and featuring a guest appearance by Toad). I found myself falling for it 10 seconds in, the sonics of the upfront acoustic guitar, absolutely melancholy, reminded me of when I would purposely play 'Some Song' or 'Needle in the Hay' by Elliot Smith slower than they were intended to be on cold mornings in a Georgia basement.
Once the "Toad Mode" picks up with a stoic beat (maybe a ghost tambourine too), more instrumentation and Orofino and Dickson trading vocals and sharing them together in such a lovely way, I thought of Smashing Pumpkins too. The sort of post grunge 90's aesthetic, dour and, in this case, poetically vague, is something that speaks to me deeply, feels warm, sad and nostalgic. There are some shifts / shapes that might suggest other artists that I can't put my finger on which is sweet because the kind of bohemian folk drawings and subversive sense here feels cross generational. By the way, I love the textures, the sound and characterizations within both voices, they work absolutely as does Toad's performance.
Liner notes:
From Richard Orofino:
“Toad Mode came about when we were hanging out in my apartment playing guitar and singing silly songs we were just making up on the spot. Toad (my roommate’s cat) loved biting my chin and arms with little love bites, and so did Pearl. She started going as we described as “toad mode” and the song happened so quickly then and there.”
From Pearl Amanda Dickson:
“Oftentimes when Toad’s super comfortable and happy, he starts biting everything and anything. Richard and I would often refer to this behavior as: toad mode. It just stuck, as I also love to bite everything and anything when I’m comfortable and happy. I can go Toad Mode and so does Richard... and maybe so does everyone."
Nice informational stuff from press notes (bracketed):
[Sex Week is a burgeoning indie-rock duo based in Brooklyn, NY, writing memorable pop songs with eccentric, unconventional production and lyrics. Taking inspiration from acts such as Liz Phair, Sonic Youth, and Ethel Cain. Richard Orofino and Pearl Dickson make up the duo, each pulling from their respective creative backgrounds to form a sound all their own. Orofino is a musician who’s built an exquisite catalog in the last few years, collaborating with artists/producers/writers such as Gabe Wax, Miya Folick, Teddy Geiger and Francois Tetaz. Dickson’s roots reside in acting, as she is known for her roles in multiple projects, such as Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville, Noah Hawley’s Lucy in the Sky and FX’s Legion. She also spends her time writing and directing, as seen with her short film Marble Man and the development of her television show Puppy Girl. Pulling from their individual strengths makes for the duo’s explosive punk and fun style. Oozing with distinctive style and confidence, Sex Week will be an exciting name in the future of indie music, starting off with their debut song Toad Mode.]
"Tode Mode" is accompanied with a cool and cute Official Video as conceived by Pearl Amanda Dickson and Richard Orofino / videography assist by Bijan Suori.
He ate a lot of mushy mold
He’s on the prowl he’s evil
Waiting for the next fight
I hope his gut’s alright
She’s making me go toad mode
She’s got me under her control
A butterfly’s a bandaid
She/he opened up my doors closed
He’s on the prowl he’s evil
Waiting for the next fight
I hope his gut’s alright
She’s making me go toad mode
She’s got me under her control
A butterfly’s a bandaid
She/he opened up my doors closed
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/consensualweek
https://www.instagram.com/richardorofino/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/pearlamandadickson/
https://www.tiktok.com/@sexweek?_t=8g1imnQU6hP&_r=1
Sex Week is a burgeoning indie-rock duo based in Brooklyn, NY, writing memorable pop songs with eccentric, unconventional production and lyrics. Taking inspiration from acts such as Liz Phair, Sonic Youth, and Ethel Cain. Richard Orofino and Pearl Dickson make up the duo, each pulling from their respective creative backgrounds to form a sound all their own. Orofino is a musician who’s built an exquisite catalog in the last few years, collaborating with artists/producers/writers such as Gabe Wax, Miya Folick, Teddy Geiger and Francois Tetaz. Dickson’s roots reside in acting, as she is known for her roles in multiple projects, such as Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville, Noah Hawley’s Lucy in the Sky and FX’s Legion. She also spends her time writing and directing, as seen with her short film Marble Man and the development of her television show Puppy Girl. Pulling from their individual strengths makes for the duo’s explosive punk and fun style. Oozing with distinctive style and confidence, Sex Week will be an exciting name in the future of indie music, starting off with their debut song Toad Mode.
Sex Week, post grunge, bohemian folk, busker punk, alt rock, indie rock, "Toad Mode" Official Video, debut, multi-disciplined duo of Richard Orofino and Pearl Amanda Dickson, Brooklyn, slacker, 90's sounds,
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/consensualweek
https://www.instagram.com/richardorofino/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/pearlamandadickson/
https://www.tiktok.com/@sexweek?_t=8g1imnQU6hP&_r=1
Sex Week is a burgeoning indie-rock duo based in Brooklyn, NY, writing memorable pop songs with eccentric, unconventional production and lyrics. Taking inspiration from acts such as Liz Phair, Sonic Youth, and Ethel Cain. Richard Orofino and Pearl Dickson make up the duo, each pulling from their respective creative backgrounds to form a sound all their own. Orofino is a musician who’s built an exquisite catalog in the last few years, collaborating with artists/producers/writers such as Gabe Wax, Miya Folick, Teddy Geiger and Francois Tetaz. Dickson’s roots reside in acting, as she is known for her roles in multiple projects, such as Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville, Noah Hawley’s Lucy in the Sky and FX’s Legion. She also spends her time writing and directing, as seen with her short film Marble Man and the development of her television show Puppy Girl. Pulling from their individual strengths makes for the duo’s explosive punk and fun style. Oozing with distinctive style and confidence, Sex Week will be an exciting name in the future of indie music, starting off with their debut song Toad Mode.
Sex Week, post grunge, bohemian folk, busker punk, alt rock, indie rock, "Toad Mode" Official Video, debut, multi-disciplined duo of Richard Orofino and Pearl Amanda Dickson, Brooklyn, slacker, 90's sounds,
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