Ed Schrader’s Music Beat emerged from a hot house Baltimore DIY scene in the early 2010s along with Future Islands (who have called ESMB “probably our favorite band”), and Dan Deacon (who produced ESMB’s 2018 LP Riddles), Beach House and Wye Oak. ESMB have toured with Thurston Moore, Ceremony, Matmos, No Age and Lightning Bolt, and more. This week ESMB will begin a tour with Future Islands that will take them to Radio City Music Hall on Thursday. The duo includes Ed Schrader and Declan Rice.

Ed Schrader says of the track:

“”Daylight Commander” is about people with vastly opposing political views living in tight proximity (think grumpy roommates or that cousin with a MAGA hat) and the friction created therein and how most of the things each side fear are just self fulfilling prophecy projected by profit driven talking heads. It also has a comedic slant -like it’s super awkward eating next to someone who thinks you’re toxic sludge and doesn’t mind telling you between servings of mashed potatos.

“I went full High School Musical with the vocals. At first it felt almost embarrassing, but I remember reading somewhere that Bowie recommended always floating a little bit above your comfort zone, and that’s what we did here. If ever we had a ‘Shiny Happy People’ moment, I guess this is it.”

ESMB have built a reputation on their live performances. From their earliest day’s as Ed’s acapella solo project, through their years as an frantic post-punk two piece the band has been constantly shifting its sound, maintaining a definitive aesthetic core while tapping into a wide variety of genres and ideas.

“The next album’s always gotta be different from the last one,” says Declan Rice. “We’re different people from record to record. So writing authentically to ourselves will always bring our work to a place that we haven’t been to yet.”

Schrader echoes a similar sentiment. “We’re terrified of turning into AC/DC. We never want to be married to one scene or time or sound. We want to be the Boba Fett of bands—constantly altering the way in which we make records has been pretty key in that process.”

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat
Orchestra Hits
Tracklist

1. Roman Candle
2. Into Knotted Trees
3. IDKS
4. Blue Garden
5. I Turn The Ocean Blue
6. Water Front
7. Daylight Commander
8. Silver
9. Noonday Sun

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat 2024 Tour Dates

6/19/24 – Roadrunner – Boston, MA*
6/20/24 – Radio City Music Hall – New York, NY*
6/21/24 – Franklin Music Hall – Philadelphia, PA*
6/23/24 – The Anthem – Washington, DC*
6/24/24 – Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Raleigh, NC*
6/25/24 – The Eastern – Atlanta, GA*
6/27/24 – Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN*
6/28/24 – Auditorium Theatre – Chicago, IL*
6/29/24 – Palace Theatre – St Paul, MN*
7/1/24 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI*
7/2/24 – Royal Oak Music Theater – Detroit, MI*
7/4/24 – Massey Hall – Toronto, ON*
7/6/24 – MTelus – Montreal, QC*
* = w/ Future Islands

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