California singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Joey Vannucchi grew up on a 40-acre patch of land not too far away from Indian Lakes, a community just outside Yosemite National Park. Access to the internet was sparse and electricity even sparser, and much of his time was spent exploring the nature outside his doorstep. Those unforgettable surroundings — the endless stretches of greenery, glimmering bodies of water, and rising mountains — make their way into his music as From Indian Lakes, especially his latest album, Everything Feels Better Now.
His fourth LP to date was recorded over the course of three months in his very own home studio, which he scrapped together with the help of a friend, in addition to LA’s Fairfax Recordings alongside Kevin Augunas (Delta Spirit, Cold War Kids). Its 12 tracks draw in elements of indie pop, emo, and folk but there’s a common thread that strings them together as a cohesive piece. The album’s heart is in the rawness of its emotions — everything is presented in its natural (and as a result, vulnerable) state, much like the organic, untouched beauty just beyond his home.
“I think this album is a sort of cleansing in a lot of ways,” Vannucchi tells Consequence of Sound. “I didn’t overthink it, didn’t fix it, just went into a room to see what came out. To be an artist, truly. Flaws and all. I’m really happy with it. I don’t think everyone is so lucky to be able to step out of their comfort zone and be so pleasantly surprised by the outcome.”
Among the outcomes is “The Monster”, a standout single which sees him bluntly reflecting on a relationship. “You want to stand around and stare at the night. We’re only happy when we turn out the lights,” he sings in an icy, hushed tone which he employs throughout much of the record; it often reminded me of a gushing stream, flooded after a fresh rainfall. Elsewhere, on tracks like “Bare It” and “Happy Machines”, Vannucchi talks about physical bodies and the vast feelings buried deep inside (“Pay for more incisions but you demanded it for free / It’s my soul you want and a cage for me”).
Everything Feels Better Now is scheduled to hit stores on October 14th via Triple Crown Records, but CoS is happy to be hosting an advanced stream below. Listen in.
Pre-order a copy of the album here.
Everything Feels Better Now Artwork:
Everything Feels Better Now Tracklist:
01. Happy Machines
02. The Monster
03. Blank Tapes
04. Bare It
05. Hello
06. Feel Love
07. American Dreams
08. Nome
09. Sunlight
10. Come Back
11. Lose Myself
12. Rid of It
From Indian Lakes 2016 Tour Dates:
10/13 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
10/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
10/15 – Washington, DC @ DC9
10/16 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
10/17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
10/18 – Nashville, TN @ High Watt
10/20 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
10/21 – Austin, TX @ 3 TEN at ACL
10/22 – Dallas, TX @ Sons of Hermann Hall
10/23 – San Antonio, TX @ Jack’s Patio Bar
10/26 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Bar
10/27 – San Diego, CA @ Voo Doo at HOB
10/28 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
11/01 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
11/02 – Portland, OR @ Analog Theater
11/04 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
11/05 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
