Hello Reader,
Welcome back. How have you been?
Today we’re going to delve into Overheard. The band’s origins begin at a dive bar in Kingston, NY just before the start of COVID-19 pandemic. After a friendship was formed that night within that dive bar, a drunken vow was made by guitarists, Erin Barth-Dwyer and Will LaPorte to play music together in the future. Vow kept. The duo added Kenny Thomas on bass guitar and according to the album’s press release, “chose the name Overheard for reasons lost to time.” At a house show the band was performing at in 2022, the trio was approached by drummer Kenny Hauptman (Top Nachos, Larry Locust) and soon they realized they had a great fit, completing the lineup the band has to the present day.
Their debut album Intertwined is out via Dromedary Records on Friday, October 25th for your listening pleasure.
Giving credit where it’s due. Intertwined album credits:
- All songs written and performed by Overheard: Erin Barth-Dwyer (electric guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar, marxophone, percussion, handclaps); Will LaPorte (electric guitar, vocals, keyboard, glockenspiel, percussion, handclaps); Kenny Thomas (bass guitar, background vocals, cello, viola, percussion, handclaps); Kenny Hauptman (drums, background vocals, slide guitar, keyboard, percussion, handclaps)
- Additional Performances by Allie Young (saxophone) and Dylan Nowik (keyboard, glockenspiel, percussion, handclaps)
- Intertwined by Overheard was recorded at Pine Knoll Studio in Palenville, NY
- Produced by Overheard and Dylan Nowik
- Mixed by Dylan Nowik
- Mastered by Amar Lal
- Cover art by Overheard
- Ceramic tiles by Grace Moore
- Paintings by Erin Barth-Dwyer
- Door photo by Will LaPorte
- Band photo by Becky Cote
And now for some hype for your ears and eyes!
The artistic video for the opening song, “Return”:
The old school video quality imagery for the song, “Time on a Good Day”:
Overall, Intertwined is a great debut for any band. Barth-Dwyer’s vocals grab your ears and don’t let go in the best ways. I think part of it is tone and the other parts delivery and inflection. Truly a talented singer that provides lingering ear worms. While you’re listening, you’re feeling, affected by the lyrics. The listening experience will be cathartic to those that need it most. The band has a great way of blended melody with vocals but also switching melodies within song. Almost to a stop on a dime type level, with melodic shifts. At times, where the melody is near silent, and vocals present before rocketing into louder melodies and vocals. It’s a wonderful energy and blending of energies. Kudos to not only the composers but the musicians for executing these so beautifully. The talent of all four band members Barth-Dwyer, LaPorte, Thomas and Hauptman is on fully display throughout this album. Not only vocally, but lyrically and the incredible skill playing their instruments. There is a lot of melancholy and bittersweetness on this album and at times while listening, I was harkened back to 90s pop albums. Maybe one fronted by your favorite female lead singer-songwriter band. The 2020’s have seen a great and welcomed renaissance. I’m here for it.
The album’s opener “Return” hits you with the impressive rhythm section led by Hauptman on drums, and both the lead and rhythm guitar work by the rest of the band. The next song, “Greta” opens with a more whimsical intro that will remind many listeners of past songs. The melody is even more guitar forward than the previous song and it sounds wonderful with Barth-Dwyer’s haunting vocal deliveries. The back-and-forth chord progressions from the lead guitar are the perfect touch to this song.
The third song, “Time on a Good Day” really allows the bass guitar from Thomas to shine during the intro, building a nice foundational groove for the rhythm to build upon. Hauptman’s rock-solid drum work stands out as well as the harmonies on shared lead vocals. The addition of another tone and vocal range pairs well with Barth-Dwyer’s voice. “Freckles” opens with lead vocals from LaPorte delivered in an alternative tone, that will remind many of The Smiths or similar bands. The melodic pace is slowed down as well, matching LaPorte’s delivery. The bass guitar gets most of the rhythm section within this song, and we’re introduced to new instrumentation as well. Listener what do you hear?
Barth-Dwyer rejoins lead vocals on the next song, “This Time” and her performance during the song may be the best show on the album of her vocal range. The guitars are angry at times in the aggressive way they are played. Which matches the vocal delivery. And other times, they are softer, allowing the vocals to shine through. “Juno” reveals the softest vocal deliveries from Barth-Dwyer on the album and also the most straightforward pop-like melody on the album.
The beautiful vocal refrain from Barth-Dwyer within “Home” piggybacked by discordant noise in the best ways from the rest of the band becomes an instant earworm. Listener, if you’re not singing along to the chorus, your mind is elsewhere. The album’s final song, “Boxer” is a slow burner and a fitting end as the sounds fade away.
Intertwined gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. To be more specific, relative to all 2024 releases, it falls in the upper part of 4 Scum Drops range, placing it in the 80th-83rd percentile. Not a bad debut at all. There’s a lot to like! Barth-Dwyer and LaPorte especially shine, but all of those who contributed are noticed. For some this album would slide into the fall themed, sad basterdy genre, but don’t let genres and labels affecting your listening habits! There’s great sonic quality to this release, kudos to those involved. I’d recommend adding it to your collection. To my knowledge, digital and maybe CDs are your options at this date.
Intertwined Track listing (song length)
- Return (2:42)
- Greta (3:26)
- Time on a Good Day (4:27)
- Freckles (4:11)
- This Time (5:30)
- Juno (5:04)
- Home (5:25)
- Boxes (3:24)
Total runtime: 34:09
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The listening process from start to finish with Intertwined will take you just over a half an hour. Twice? Just over an hour. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
In addition to their Bandcamp, here’s the band’s Instagram and Spotify links.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
