Back in March, St Louis band Shady Bug released new album, Lemon Lime, with Exploding in Sound Records. A record of contradictions, the songs utilise catchy hooks and thundering crescendos to produce something that can both pummel you and pat you on the head. As we described in a preview of single ‘Make It Up’, the band juxtapose sweet and sour to great effect too, so that songs that might sound twee on paper (i.e. about sharing Sprite with a crush) are actually made more complex with worries both personal and global.
We caught up with the band to delve a little deeper into the record and what it means to them.
Hi Shady Bug, thanks for talking to us! How does it feel to have Lemon Lime out in the world?
We are so happy to have these songs out in the world to share!! It’s been really fun touring and hearing everyone’s reaction to the record.
Lemon Lime is an album of juxtapositions, from the guitar playing to the lyrics to the sweet and sharp imagery of the title. Would you agree with that? And if so, is it something you aimed for, or did these opposite but balancing elements come together naturally?
Definitely, there’s a lot of dynamic range on the record and we wanted a hyper contrasting sound with twists and turns and surprises. I love to write songs that may seem happy-go-lucky but then switch to something dark, in the music or lyrics. We also have two very different guitar styles – I’m more jangly and sweet while Tom is more sharp and sour. For some reason this works, not sure how but we just have fun with it!! The album title is on purpose to highlight our aesthetic, but it’s also from a lyric in ‘Make it Up’ about drinking sprite with your crush from a styrofoam cup.
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There’s a similar theme in the lyrics too, sweet and sour ruminations on relationships and life in a Midwestern city. How did the songwriting process work? And what was your inspiration when writing these songs?
I write all the lyrics for these songs, usually on notes in my phone, about my life or things that happen to my friends. My process is never the same each time, sometimes it takes one day to write a song, and then other times a month. I’m definitely influenced by my surroundings in St. Louis. The city is falling apart in some places and lively and exciting in others. At the time I wrote this record, all my friends were broke and going out almost every night. I was writing about going to shows and having fun, against the feeling of heartbreak, anxiety, feeling lost with no direction in your life, and being surrounded by all these old brick buildings in south city St. Louis.
I really like how lots of the songs have a darker, unrestrained edge, both sonically and lyrically. Is that an attempt to confront the fact life in 2019 isn’t just all crushes and soda? And how important is it that bands acknowledge the troubling times we live in?
I’ve had a lot of anxiety about global warming and the political state. I think it’s really refreshing when bands write about what’s actually going on because we can all relate and it makes us feel less alone. Writing about my fears has helped me cope and not ignore these real issues in the world. Writing about my heartbreak has also helped me come to terms with my sadness and heal.
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Hannah’s background is in classical guitar, while Tom is self-taught. How do these opposing styles come together? And at what point does a classically trained guitarist decide they want to form an indie rock band?
At first we didn’t really understand each other, I never knew what Tom was trying to play (still don’t!), but I think that’s kind of cool. We have our own guitar voices in each song that contrast but also flow together at unexpected times. It’s been fun working with people that can teach me new ways of approaching music and I can also teach them! Aaron our drummer is trained in jazz upright bass so he also has a whole different mindset about music.
I actually have been playing DIY shows since I was in high school with my folk band with my twin sister called Dubb Nubb. I was pretty familiar with the scene but just never thought I could play rock guitar. I was intimidated by the ‘boys club’ lol. Years after Dubb Nubb was well established in our area I started writing some solo songs and borrowed an electric guitar. I finally began to create riffs and use pedals. I actually didn’t even try to get a full band together but I told Aaron about my songs and he took the initiative to form a band with me. For Shady Bug I bought my first electric guitar and tube amp, and I started playing with a pick haha. I still play classical sometimes but have completely lost my chops, which is sad.
Lemon Lime is your first album on Exploding in Sound Records, which seems like such a perfect fit for your sound. How did that relationship come about? And what does it mean to have a label like EIS?
Well, we were huge EIS fans. All of us have been listening to bands from the label for a long time and were influenced by bands like Ovlov, Pile, and Speedy Ortiz. Post-Trash music blog reviewed our first album ‘tbh idk’ and premiered our first music video. When Dan Goldin expressed interest in putting our next record, we were SO excited, it was a dream come true!!
As for the label itself, we are so lucky to work with the best people that just care about releasing good music. The music industry sucks but EIS is definitely a special label, they are real.
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Going back to the St. Louis/Midwest theme, do you feel there is something distinct about midwestern music, compared to that being made on the coasts?
People always say we sound like ‘midwest emo’ or ‘that St. Louis math rock’ lol! But I think the scene here is unique because it’s so small, we have a lot of crossover from the different genres and there’s lots of support. I feel like we have a certain soul and way of life in the midwest that you can’t find on the east or west coast. The people here are slower paced and more understanding, but it’s also easy to feel stuck here. The honest and raw art made in St. Louis reflects this midwestern angst, but formed in an intimate DIY community of just making music with friends in basements.
Finally, could you name four or five artists you are enjoying at the moment? They can be new, old, popular, obscure, whatever you find yourself turning to.
Hannah – Weyes Blood
Aaron – Miles Davis, Second Great Quintet
Tom – Patio
Chris – Team Dresch
Lemon Lime is out now via Exploding in Sound Records and you can grab it from Bandcamp.
Photo by Mabel Suen