Band: Stoby
EP: Playing in Cement
Release Date: October 10, 2022
Genre: Alt-Rock/ Pop-Punk/ Fuzz
Ottawa’s female-fronted band Stoby is made up of Maryse Betournay (vocals), Kevin Schiemann (guitar), Rick Vaughan (bass/ vocals), and Devon Gouveia (drums). The band has unveiled their 7-song EP, Playing in Cement, their first EP since 2020’s Shark Girl Shark Shark.
Playing in Cement features the band’s new drummer, Devon Gouveia. The drum tracks were recorded at Audio Valley Recording Studio with Josh Hart, while the rest of the music was done at the band’s jam space and produced by guitarist Kevin Schiemann.
All seven tracks on the release are top-notch, pulling elements of pop-punk, fuzz rock, alt-rock, and more.
After a few listen-throughs, the two tracks that stood out to me were “Living in Automobiles” and “Bubble Gum.”
“Living in Automobiles” is the band’s latest single and comes in at track two on the EP. Beginning with a melodious beat, joined by vocals from frontwoman Maryse, the song evokes an easygoing vibe through the first minute. As the song continues, the beat picks up, as do the vocals. The track’s second half showcases the band’s heavier side, with Maryse’s vocals taking on a strong punk-rock overtone. It’s great when one song can present the listener with various sides of a band’s talents, and “Living in Automobiles” does just that.
The band has just unveiled a music video for “Living in Automobiles,” so check that out below.
“Bubble Gum” begins with a powerful drum beat, which is quickly joined by vocals reminiscent of Green Day and Blink 182. I enjoyed the vocal stylings and harmonies throughout, although my main focus was the late 1990s, early 2000s punk vibe, which melds with an alt-rock bop. Throughout the track, the vocals invite you to sing along, and I had a hard time not doing so. This would be a fun track to see live, showing off the band’s high-energy performance.
Another track that caught my attention is “Mission to Mars,” which is the final track on the release, featuring guest vocals from Ottawa’s very own Adam Ferris.
Stoby will have an EP release show at House of Targ (1077 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W9) on October 22, 2022, with special guests Okies and All Day Breakfast (Adv Tix: $10, Door: $12).
Connect with Stoby:
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