There are a lot of ways to find new music, from word of mouth to opening acts to algorithms. For the better part of the last 20 years, The Fest has been a way I’ve discovered new artists. One the biggest surprises for me at FEST 21 was The Dreaded Laramie. With a name that makes with think Wyoming and a press sheet that says Tennessee -- well, let’s just say the band is full of surprises. They wear rainbow bright colors on stage and play equally bright music. Nothing to dread here, not at all, other than the disapproving glares of some of those stereotypical cowboys. It’s not music for Yellowstone, it’s Pride music. Or, to grab the album title, it’s Princess Feedback. It’s music for princess but, you know, with feedback and stuff.
To paint with broad strokes, The Dreaded Laramie play punk-tinged indie pop. The songs are upbeat and powerful with peppy rhtyhms and equally peppy vocals in a sweet, almost saccharine voice from MC Cunningham. The guitars are really pop focused, though you’ll get a heavier power chord or guitar solo now and then. The tones waver between joyful power pop and chunkier hooks that give dynamic depth. It’s emotional and quirky, but simultaneously chill. I suppose a theme might be about keeping even keel through the ups and downs. There’s also a decent amount of 1980s inspiration stylistically, but (thankfully) without the keytar.
“Breakup Songs” is one of the standout pop songs, along with “Life is Funny,” which also has some nice wordplay and a (possibly ironic) guitar solo straight from the ‘80s. The songs feature personal lyrics, balanced so they relate in a bigger way. “Fishnets” is a good example of how they straddle emotional and personal topics while maintaining something of a festive spirit. There’s even some balladry with “Easy” which has me thinking perhaps of Rilo Kiley a little bit.
The Dreaded Laramie are a band that doesn’t take themselves seriously, yet they clearly take their songwriting that way. It’s fun music, even when the words don’t match the tone. It will put a smile on your face, yet make you pause and second guess some of life’s decisions while you’re nodding along. There is certainly a cute factor in their sound, but it’s just the right amount so the gimmicks never steal the spotlight, they enhance it. I joked about a keytar earlier, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see one included in their set, along with some sparklers in the fretboard.
(Do keytars have frets?)
