FEATURE: Spotlight: Public Practice

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Public Practice

___________

THIS is a part of the year…

where festivals are offering stages and platforms to the best new artists around. I think it is a shame that so many acts who were hoping to play to new fans and get more exposure might have to wait until next year. Hailing from New York, Public Practice (Sam York: Vocals, Vince McClelland: Guitar, Drew Citron: Bass/Synth/Vocals, Scott Rosenthal: Drums) have delivered one of this year’s best albums in the form of Gentle Grip. The List published an article earlier in the year that discussed the album’s upcoming arrival and what went into the recording:

“New album Gentle Grip, out on Fri 15 May, deals with tension and release, both musically (danceable rhythm sections cut through with angular guitars) and in the lyrics. Lead lyricist York tells us that 'the overarching themes surround essential "moral gymnastics" – how do we function in society? How do you walk through your daily life trying to be good when everything is so corrupt?' This constant questioning and lack of certainty adds to the group's unpredictability, with songs taking unexpected turns and wrong-footing the listeners. 'You don't always get the chorus when you want it,' York says, 'and some songs will leave you questioning what the chorus actually is'.

The group recorded the majority of Gentle Grip in their own practice space and studio, something that York feels they were extremely fortunate to be able to do. 'Getting to do it ourselves, and pick and choose how we wanted songs to sound, allowed us to make them exactly what we wanted them to be'. A major exception to this is the album's blistering opening track 'Moon', which was recorded live in another larger studio. Recording it live allowed Public Practice to introduce themselves to the world on their terms, as a formidable unit, weaving together sounds to create an uncompromising sound.

In terms of their live gigs, York says the band very much enjoy what they're doing and want the audience to feel and understand that. Discussing how they put on a show, she says, 'we don't shy away from the fact that we are performers, we don't shy away from the theatrics', referencing not only key post-punk/new wave inspirations like Talking Heads but also traditional pop music. 'The music is how we got to the stage, but when you have that stage you should use it'”.

I have listened to Gentle Grip quite a lot, and I am finding new things to enjoy each time I visit. In terms of sound and influence, I think people have comparted Public Practice to everyone from Blondie to The B-52’s. In their review, NME had this to say:

“‘Gentle Grip’ presents some conundrums for both listeners and the band themselves. In its subject matter, it ruminates on the “moral gymnastics” of life in 2020 – one where we’re trying to do our best for the world around us, but are also still driven by material wants and desires. The early Blondie gleam of ‘Compromised’ finds York torn between the two sides over tumbling guitar hooks, spinning circles around herself as she whispers: “House is important/Car is important/Shoes are important […] Trees are important.”

Sonically, though, the album is also a puzzle – namely, where on earth is it going to go next? That unpredictability exists as it changes from track to track but also within each individual song themselves. Opener ‘Moon’ is a dark, swirling piece that puts Public Practice’s love of the theatrical at the forefront, York presiding like a mythical higher being over a thunderstorm of drummer Scott Rosenthal’s beats and McClelland and Citron’s spiralling, spiky accompaniments. Later, ‘Disposable’ metamorphoses from chunky Rapture riffs ready to soundtrack the grimiest of DIY discos to something more fragmented and eerie, like morning sun piercing through warehouse windows and shaking you out of party mode.

‘Gentle Grip’ doesn’t let you return to the real world for too long though, continuing on its ever-surprising journey through irresistible grooves and glittering masterpieces of invention. We might not be able to hit a proper dancefloor for some time but, with their debut album, Public Practice are urging us all to push the furniture aside and find relief in the space we’ve got. Don’t let their call go unanswered”.

I would encourage people to go and listen to Gentle Grip, as Public Practice have many years in the music industry ahead of them. That is where they are now and, without knowing when they can tour and get out and see people, I want to head back to last year when many sites and magazines were starting to pick up on this remarkable band. There aren’t too many features/interviews online relating to the band, but DIY featured them in 2019. I have picked out a couple of questions that I feel are important when it comes to understanding the band: which artists inspired them and how important New York is:

“Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?

The U2 album that they installed in everyone’s phone, unsolicited. Every time we plug in my phone in the van on tour this record we didn’t even know existed plays through the speakers and now we all inadvertently know the words to the first song.

You’re based in New York - what’s the music scene like there at the moment? Are there other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?

We are very lucky to be a part of such a vibrant music scene in NYC where basically any night of the week there are bands worth seeing playing near by. We have a little family of bands that we play with often including Pill, Bodega, Future Punx, B Boys and Gustaf”.

I do love the band, and I appreciate how fresh and uplifting their music sounds whilst, at the same time, providing plenty of nuance and interesting angles. It is a pity they will not get to tour for a while, but I encourage people to follow them online and go and buy their music. I wanted to end with a recent interview from NME, as they were keen to catch up with one of the hottest rising bands of the moment. The interview is fascinating – I did not want to include the whole thing -, but they were asked about the future and touring:

“We’re going through a big cultural shift, which is a pretty weird time to be releasing records,” frontwoman Sam York sighs from her apartment. “We put a lot of work into this record and I’m excited to share it any way we can, but not being able to do shows is pretty heartbreaking as a performer.”

Over the last couple of years, Public Practice have made themselves an integral part of the New York DIY scene alongside the likes of Bodega, Future Punx and Pill. This isn’t any of the members’ first rodeo – York and guitarist Vince McClelland were formerly a part of promising post-punk group WALL, while bassist Drew Citron and drummer Scott Rosenthal were bandmates in Beverly. Given those projects, it’s unsurprising that this current outfit have become quietly renowned as one of the most exciting bands in the city, both on and off stage. Their songs and performances are theatrical and compelling, and are always ready to fuel a good time.

While other artists have been going live online, the New Yorkers have mixed opinions about doing it themselves. York concedes that there are “a lot of cool, creative things that can be done with live-streaming”, but she can’t reconcile the idea of performing to a screen with the feeling of an actual gig. “Being on stage with lights and the energy of a room full of people is incredibly powerful,” she says. “That’s something that that simply does not happen with this kind of online interaction. I don’t think it’s comparable.”

As for what lies ahead for Public Practice beyond the next few months, the band themselves aren’t sure. McClelland has been using the time in isolation to work on new music, while York has been struggling to access her creativity. They’re also aware of how slow the return to physically being able to take in culture will be. “I genuinely can’t picture what the cultural landscape is gonna look like,” York sighs again. One thing she can promise is the band will “keep making music we believe in and feel happy and excited to perform and share.” No matter what the future looks like, at least we’ll have that”.

I have high hopes for Public Practice, as they have a magnificent sound and have released a belting album. I hope they get to come to the U.K. later this year or next year, and I would really love to see them play. The New York band are definitely worth keeping an eye out for, as they are going to be…