If It's Too Loud...

I keep being more and more surprised by how much I'm enjoying each release from Bruisey Peets (aka New Orleans artist Ben Usie). "Queer, swamp pop and piano based..." doesn't sound like it would speak to me, but so far it's been working. The previous two singles, "Onions" and "Poached Eggs," have had a mellow cabaret feel. The newest single, "Applecore," is much more intense, at least in comparison to the other ones. It has a much more blues and rock feel to it, while still being piano based swamp pop.  Bruisey Peets says of the new single: “‘Apple Core’ originated from the dread of being in debt mixed with the feeling of doom-scrolling twitter in bed. The mantra, 'I guess I’ll take this lyin’ down' picks at the absurdity of our hive minds being so tapped into the atrocities around the globe while feeling isolated and helpless in our own little bubbles. The band pulses with hypnotic energy as I do my best to confront cis white...

The latest swamp pop single from New Orleans' Bruiey Peets isn't quite what you'd expect to see on If It's Too Loud..., but that's kind of what makes it perfect. "Onions" has a very cabaret feel, mixed with jazz and some 1950's style torch song thrown in. There is something very classical and fancy sounding with the song, although the spirit is pure indie rock. Unlike a lot of music we bring you that we can describe as cabaret, "Onions" is breezy and fun instead of dark. It's a pleasantly fun song with a unwavering sense of optimism without being anywhere near saccharine.  Ben Usie of Bruisey Peets says of the new song: "'Onions' explores that emotional duality when fantasy meets reality. Crushes can be mutual, and yet there can still be realworld factors that limit the actuality of a shared love.  Savoring those boundaries is a trip in itself. I think we captured that feeling, and Lauren Hémard’s vocals really tie it all tog...

Ben Usie has had a unique path through music. He lived in DC for almost ten years playing with bands like Pree and Br'er. He started playing solo as Bruisey Pete with an entire stage of sequencers and synthesizers. After relocating to New Orleans, Usie ditched the stage of equipment since it was tough to lug around to bars for shows, and began performing solo guitar shows. Eventually Bruisey Peet picked up three additional members, but they dropped off since playing small shows at 2:00 am become too much for them. This time, Usie came back as a solo piano performer before picking up Lost Bayou Ramblers' Bryan Webre on upright bass. "Poached Eggs" is the latest song from the current iteration of Bruisey Peets. The style has been dubbed "queer swamp pop," and is an odd little sound that's a little cabaret over a lot of a pop sound. It reminds me of the quieter side of Ben Folds Five with a much darker sense of humor. The song has a light, playful feel that...