Nashville heavy duo Friendship Commanders present their new single, Fail, off their third album MASS, expected out on September 29th, 2023. The project was conceived after the suicide of songwriter Buick Audra’s longtime friend, fellow musician Marc Orleans (Sunburned Hand of the Man, Spore, Juneau, Enos Slaughter).
The band's upcoming release includes ten tracks and a collection of essays by Buick Audra which recount true stories and personal experiences. The memoir serves as a companion to the album, providing insight into the snapshots of Buick's life that inspired the songs.
Buick Audra says: “I was in my late teens/early twenties when I first met Marc. We were both playing in bands and making art in Boston. Our friendship was so easy and uncomplicated, and when I look back at that time, I realize how rare that was for me then. The rest of my story up there was intense and even traumatizing. His death has brought me an unbelievable amount of grief, but also the confirmation that I knew and loved him when he was here—and I sure as hell hope that he felt known by me in his lifetime. Losing him has made me aware of who I want to be to the people I actually care about, and who I want to spend less energy on. It’s been illuminating in a number of ways, but mostly, I just miss him. I respect his decision to die, but I might be sad about it for the rest of my days. I wrote this song to speak to him from here.”
The band's drummer, bassist and video director, Jerry Roe adds: “I met Buick after nearly all of the events, times, and places that inspired this album took place, but I've come to know the stories intimately and it felt very special to bring these songs about them to life. Musically, I've never felt more at home. This new body of work combines all of the things I love most. It's heavy, very melodic, intensely emotional, and somehow simultaneously fun and heartbreaking. Very proud of what we all made together from Buick's work. In making the video, I wanted to honor all of those things, while respecting him and his decision to leave.”
Similar to its predecessor, Blue, the latest single evokes intense emotions and creates a feeling of familiarity through its weighty and mellow musicality.
The band co-produced MASS with Kurt Ballou (Converge) who recorded and mixed at his GodCity studio in Salem, Massachusetts.
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