Photos by Andrea Calvetti, Marina Le Barthe, Monika Oliver, and Austin Smith
If there was ever a time to long for the exhilarating freedom of a spaghetti western dreamland, it’s now. Sundown Club’s self-titled debut is a spirited cinematic experience that provides that welcome escape from our dreary indoor isolation.
Sundown Club encapsulates a westward trek in more ways than one - after recording straight to tape at Chicago’s Treehouse Records, the band’s songwriter, producer, and frontman Brandon Reed rode off to Los Angeles where he now resides. From its catchy hooks and pocket grooves to multi-dimensional string arrangements, the record is saturated with the warm, rich tones developed through this analog process.
“Living in uncertain times right now has a lot of people scared, and rightfully so,” Reed tells Transverso. “However, there is always a silver lining, and I think people will realize how detached we’ve become because of this. Sharing your love is crucial to progression and there could always be more. This record and future works are my little love letters in hopes to inspire someone to do the same.”
Alongside Reed, fellow players Miles Malin and Ryan Fields flesh out full-bodied layers of electric, acoustic, baritone, and 12-string guitars, while Nick Tuminello’s drums and Colleen Fazio’s bass complete the sun-baked sonic landscapes throughout.
First track and lead single “Sweet Rose” immediately launches us headfirst into a galloping rampage as we embark on this quest. Steadily guided by Reed’s smooth, assured vocals, album highlight “Boy Child”’s ominous jaunt follows close behind.
The instantly iconic auditory equivalents of a somber ride at dusk on horseback, “Showdown”’s Pt. 1 and 2 provide a bold turning point in the record. Powered on by the fuzzed out heat wave of a guitar groan and carried off by a string section (Macie Stewart (Ohmme), Mallory Linehan, and Joshua Shepard) swirling up from the rolling hills, the scene is brought to a climax just as it’s time to flip the record.
Amidst this desert journey is an oasis, and “Volcano Song” transports us to a more tropical setting. Like a cold beverage on a calm vista, the sultry acoustic tones are met with lustful lyrics and a breezy groove, all topped off with Malin’s vocal harmonies.
By this point you’re likely to have poured yourself a drink of your own. Sit back and relax as Sundown Club takes you through the cactus-dotted sands to a steamy, palm-laced paradise, before riding off into a chromatic sunset over the hills. It’s furthest you’ll feel from your house for a while.
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