Salem is a magical place. But embedded alongside the city’s spooky culture, seaside appeal, and hard-on for commercial tourism is an eclectic community of people, places, and scenes, all acting as an underground but visible subculture and a vibrant eco-system for worn n’ weathered New England living. Radio Compass raise a glass to all this and more in their latest single and video, a dream-punk and garage-pop ripper of a spell-casting tune called “Salem Romantics.” It’s the first track from the Salem band’s forthcoming album Aloha, out May 20 via Sound Investment Records and Gunner Records.
“‘Salem Romantics’ is a song about being in the moment, letting the day take you where it will, just being in love with that space and truly in it,” says Radio Compass’ vocalist, guitarist, and ringleader Angela Lee. “This song is about a cluster of moments I have spent with people whom I adore, gallivanting around Salem, absorbing the sunlight, letting the day move us, leaning into ‘one more’ drink or appetizer or loop around, just being carefree, not worrying about tomorrow or what is to come — but also that awareness that you are in one of those moments.
Lee adds: “It’s the coolest feeling. It’s a song that helps balance out the heavier parts of the record. We all know Mondays will come, so rather than worrying about that, enjoy the day you are in because this is literally always the only thing we really have. In this case, a Sunday Funday.”
Whether that’s shopping at Die With Your Boots On or Residency Records, catching shows at Opus and Koto, or grabbing cocktails at All Souls Lounge, in addition to all the other places the city may or may not be putting on a pamphlet for wide-eyed out-of-towners, Salem is unlike any other city of town in Massachusetts. And Radio Compass wear it with pride; not just in October, but year-round.
“The video is trying to capture a little slice of that,” Lee says. “The red line follows throughout — the heritage trail. I’m in love with my city; it’s the perfect little city-town. Its history has a lot of tragedy and a lot of magic.”
Radio Compass bring their own rock and roll magic up to Montreal for an appearance at Pouzza Fest on May 20, then celebrate Aloha with its album release party May 27 at Opus Underground. Catch them all around Salem between now and then, and forever thereafter.