New York, NY (Top40 Charts) After recently announcing their new EP, Voice Box, which is set for release April 10th via Fat Possum Records, Austin-based Why Bonnie are sharing new single & video "Athlete".
Speaking about the track, the band said "''Athlete' is about the frustration of not being able to keep up with the "team" and learning to laugh when you fumble."
On the visuals, the band added "The video was directed by Alex Winker and is essentially just a true field day filmed on VHS. 'Athlete' is the most "rock and roll" track on the EP so we wanted to make a video that embodied that, but also felt like casual, day-in-the-life footage. Kind of like watching a home movie that you found in a box in your parents' attic, but instead of you as a three-year old on the soccer field, you're a grown adult with about the same skill level."
The Voice Box EP celebrates unhindered expression through beguiling, propulsive guitar pop. Fuzzed-out guitars and crystalline vocals drive a tough-edged struggle in the space between suppression and artistic liberty. Front woman Blair Howerton explains: "It encapsulates a disconnect between my inner and outer world, and not being able to express myself authentically because of that. But, ultimately knowing I will crash and burn if I don't."
Why Bonnie is the dazzling, full-band emotional release of Howerton. In a decisive step to start performing her backlogged material, Howerton moved back home to
Texas after graduating college in 2015. In Austin, Howerton joined lifelong best friend Kendall Powell, who she met in preschool. Powell's classical piano chops swapped to synth for the new project. Both active in the Austin scene, guitarist Sam Houdek and bassist Chance Williams later joined to complete the lineup.
In 2018, the band emerged on petite indie outlet Sports Day Records with In Water. The EP eulogized Howerton's older brother, who passed away years prior. Follow-up Nightgown expanded the effort, pulling lush Mazzy Star and
Cranberries influences.
Pre-order Voice Box EP - WhyBonnie.lnk.to/VoiceBoxEP
Praise for Why Bonnie:
"Voice Box" is hazy and swooning, a gorgeous introduction to Why Bonnie's new era that's equal parts gauzy and fried" - Stereogum
"...dreamy and immediate rock songs in the style of, say, Alvvays or TOPS, are arresting because of this constant push-pull; each track is like a Sisyphean walk towards dream-pop heaven" - The FADER
"At the helm of Why Bonnie, Blair Howerton writes glossy, synth- and string-inflected guitar-pop songs that fit a mighty, beating heart underneath all the gleaming hooks. Between 2018's Nightgown and the forthcoming Voice Box EP, Why Bonnie started cranking its guitars a bit, lending heft and fervency to a sound that had already sported a fair bit of Cranberries-esque intensity." - NPR
Voice Box EP Tracklist:
1. Bury Me
2. Voice Box (video)
3.
Athlete (video)
4. Jetplane
5. No Caves