Drug Country - “How To Keep A Band”

John Russell of Richmond, Virginia’s Gnawing has shifted the focus of his creative energies towards a new solo project over the last year. The new outfit, Drug Country, is sharing their first ever release today, a six-song extended play titled How To Keep A Band, which sees Russell trying on new hats stylistically while still sporting some of the well-worn sounds of his other band. 

How To Keep A Band is a charming lo-fidelity affair that mixes old and new. The fuzz that emanates from Russell’s guitar “Wellbutrin Blues” is familiar and comforting, as the frayed instrumentation are overlaid with blunt lyrics that explore the comedown and feelings stemming from antidepressants. The buzzing riffs on the opener give way to the more steady-moving “Bird Patterns,” which weaves together twangy folk guitars and clear vocals, and “Damn The New Year,” a more introspective rumination on the monotony of the passage of time. “Karma Laundering” is the EP’s energetic climax with hints of the Lemonheads and Dinosaur Jr. providing a jolt over the hump before settling in for the final two tracks, “Foolish Acrobatics” and “Orange Trees & Pipe Tobacco.” The former sees Russell experimenting with some haunting downtempo-driven sonics, while he bares his soul on the latter in a more stripped-down fashion, waxing on loss, distant memories of loved ones, and longing for the past.

You can stream the EP in its entirety below!

You can purchase the EP via Bandcamp or stream it on your platform of choice. Keep up with the project by following the Instagram for Hilltop Recordings.

Credits: All instruments played by John Russell

Additional vocals provided by Lexi McCoy (Wellbutrin Blues), Russell Edling (Bird Patterns) and Kelsey McMahon (Karma Laundering)

Mixed and mastered by Allen Bergendahl

Artwork and layout by Russell Edling