Gum Country - "Tennis (I Feel Ok)"

Photo by Gum Country

Considering how much we've loved The Courtneys here at If It's Too Loud..., it's safe to say we're going to want to hear any other musical projects its members put out. Gum Country (featuring Courtney Garvin) has released a second single off their upcoming debut album, and we're in. "Tennis (I Feel Ok)" is a synth heavy lo-fi track featuring fuzzy guitars. It's impossibly upbeat without being saccharine. It's a cheerful indie rock track, which can be a rarity, but is more than welcome right now. The sheer joy of the song reflects the subject matter. It's about Garvin discovering how much she loves tennis. As she says:

"Kinda goofy, but in all honesty my relationship with tennis is so meaningful to me on a spiritual level. It’s my meditation practice. The game makes you present, you're repeating movements, and finding a rhythm. And it’s so creative. I think all athletes are artists. Plus you get to be outside, getting exercise, hanging with friends and all of those things are so good for you. So the song is pretty much about how tennis just makes my life better. I love tennis. If anyone reading this wants to play (after the pandemic) please hit me up."

You can listen to "Tennis (I Feel Ok)" below. Somewhere, the debut album from Gum Country, will be out June 19. For more on Gum Country, check out the band's website.

Gum Country - "Somewhere"

Photo by Gum Country

Gum Country (which features Courtney Gavin of The Courtneys) describe themselves as "harsh twee." Listening to their debut single, "Somewhere," they're dead on with that description. "Somewhere" has the shimmering small sound of bands like Yo La Tengo and The Magnetic Fields, but also brings in these fuzzy, buzzsaw guitars you would never associate with this type of music. It creates this interesting and unique yet familiar sound.

Courtney Gavin explains the song: "I wrote 'Somewhere' a couple years after moving to LA. It's about leaving a place that you are comfortable in and landing in a strange new one, and discovering what parts of your identity remain and which were left behind. The first line I wrote was 'haven't felt this way in a while, I can't think straight can't hide my smile, i guess this is gonna be my life for a while', and then it was just a process of unravelling that thought. I think the song could be about the range of emotions that come with any big change, and ultimately settling on a mellow excitement for vulnerability. It's pretty serious subject matter for Gum Country, and I blame it on the poetry class I was taking at the time."

You can watch the video for "Somewhere" below. Gum Country's debut album, Somewhere, will be out on June 19th on Burger Records. For more on Gum Country, check out their website.