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New Sounds: Vundabar address ‘a need for openness’ in personal single ‘Acetone’

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Studio 52 is a community artist space located in the heart of Allston, and is proud to support the Boston music scene and local artist community.


Boston road warriors Vundabar have shared two new songs today, and its lead, a warped guitar-pop rollercoaster called “Acetone,” finds frontman Brandon Hagen opening up about his personal life. The second track, “Glass Hand,” serves as the b-side, and it’s got a nice bit of inside-out Pixies flair to it. Listen to both below.

“Acetone” will be featured on the trio’s new album, which is titled Smell Smoke and is due out next year. The usually guarded Hagen says it’s “a song about fragmentation.”

He elaborates in Noisey: “Over the last four years the two domineering poles of my life were taking care of a loved one who suffered a severe illness, and the other the requirements of managing, booking and playing in a touring band. One was deeply personal, gutting and insular; an experience I shared with hardly anyone. The other was endless exhibitionism. Both exhausting in their own right, and each further aggravated the other. The song worries about being marred by experience. It wonders if the origin of the shame and repression is something socialized, and therefore something that could be unlearned; could that suit be unsewn. The song is about not wanting to be seen, but knowing if you continue the way you are, then the options are few. Acetone is a substance that sticks around when contained, ignites when sparked, and evaporates when left out. The song addresses a need for openness and its release is a baptism by fire.”

Vundabar are set to hit the road next week with The Frights and Hockey Dad, and their tour plays The Sinclair in Cambridge on November 20. Needless to say, both of these songs are gonna sound massive in the Harvard Square rock club.

Get all Vundabar’s date below after fully absorbing their new jams.

Featured photo by Tim Oxton.

Vundabar Live Dates 2017:
October 24 – Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
October 25 – Columbus, OH @ Spacebar
October 26 – Gambier, OH @ Kenyon College
October 27 – Grinnell, IA @ Grinnell
October 28 – Omaha, NE @ Petshop
November 01 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hi Hat
November 03 – San Diego, CA @ Soma^
November 04 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge^
November 05 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad^
November 08 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger^
November 09 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada^
November 10 – Houston, TX @ Walter’s^
November 11 – Austin, TX @ Cheer Up Charlies^
November 12 – Nashville, TN @ High Watt^
November 13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade^
November 14 – Orlando, FL @ Backbooth^
November 16 – Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel^
November 18 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church^
November 19 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom^
November 20 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair^
November 22 – Detroit, MI @ The Shelter^
November 24 – Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s^
November 25 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall^
November 26 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry^
November 28 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge^
November 29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court^
December 01 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s^
December 02 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory^
December 06 – DeKalb, IL @ The House Cafe
December 07 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
December 08 – Toronto, ON @ The Smiling Buddha
December 09 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
^ with The Frights and Hockey Dad