By Mike Seibert
The new EP from Seattle/Tacoma indie rock band Waking Things, Hang in There is the most fully realized expression of the band’s music to date. The production is slick, but not over-produced, making the songs approachable and radio-friendly, but with that authentic DIY spice that has made Waking Things a fan-favorite in the scene for the last several years.
This is rock opera by way of pop-punk – a description I landed on when my wife mentioned that one of the songs reminded her of the musical Rent, and I couldn’t shake the comparison. There is a sweeping theatrical vibe that carries through Hang in There, as well as the effervescent fusion of independent rock styles that makes Waking Things so unique and exciting. This is a band that doesn’t fit into a box neatly. Tones shift from darkly melodic, brooding, and achingly urgent, to crisply bright, almost whimsical, and hilarious in their cynicism, all while staying true to the driving passion that Waking Things has become known for. Longtime fans will be happy with Hang in There, but this is also a cool gateway for casual listeners and approachable to new fans as well.
When I interviewed Chris Sicard, lead vocalist and guitar player for the band in February, he described Hang in There as Waking Things’ “redemption album”, mirroring a sentiment about putting in the work and sticking to it, not just as a band, but as an individual. The result of that work is a great variety of songs that sound completely unique individually, but also surprisingly cohesive as a collection. It’s an album about hope and acts as a mission statement for the band (and this isn’t even their final form!).
Originally conceived as a five song EP as a follow-up to Details, their 2016 full-length album, released when Waking Things was performing as a three-piece band, Hang in There was overhauled during 2018 after the addition of Samantha Aiello (AKA Sam/”my neighbor”) as a second singer to the band. Expanded to seven tracks, Hang in There includes five brand-new songs, as well as new versions of songs from last year’s split single Capitalism. All seven songs prominently feature vocals from Sam, ranging from background texture and harmonies to taking the lead and performing her own verses, making the songs her own.
Her sultry, smoky-smooth vocals bring a slinky lounge vibe to the Waking Things sound and her harmonies with Chris are warm honey. Their vocal blend is subversively cool, where Sam’s lower register accentuates Chris’s higher pitch and more flamboyant, theatrical voice, cleverly flipping traditional gender expectations in their duets. But it’s when they both get to cut loose, unleashing some truly impressive powerhouse vocals is when the songs really soar, like on the opening track, and my favorite song on the EP, Alive. It’s a straightforward punk rock song about empowerment that will make you want to roll down your windows and sing along, belting the chorus all summer long! Everyone is great here.
While sharing the spotlight with Sam, Chris redefines his presence as the driving force of Waking Things as the lead guitar player, singer, and primary songwriter. Drummer Matt Chadwick and bass player Brian Ray (who also illustrated the cover art for Hang in There) are the beating heart of the band, and that strong dynamic and cohesion they honed as a three-piece has never been tighter. If this new EP is any indication of what future offerings from Waking Things as a collaborative four-piece will sound like, then we have a lot of great music to look forward to; I can’t wait for what’s next!
Hang in There, the new EP from Waking Things will be out July 1st for download and streaming, with physical copies available in August.
For information about upcoming Waking Things shows, music and videos, merchandise, and connections to their social media, check out their website: wakingthings.com
And if you do come out to a show, don’t miss your opportunity to win Waking Things merch by defeating a member of the band in either Mario Kart 64 or Super Smash Bros. on a custom vintage console!
Mike is a KGRG alumni and hosts the independent Mike Seibert Radio podcast, featuring interviews, independent music, pop culture news and movie reviews. New episodes every week. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app!
