Ed Schrader’s Music Beat released their third album Riddles on March 2nd, their first album with Carpark Records. The duo of Ed Schrader and Devlin Rice, based out of Baltimore, made a trip to one of Atlanta’s favorite DIY spaces, the Mammal Gallery in Downtown, on March 9th to show off their exceptional new album.
For the last two years, the duo have been working on the follow up to 2014’s Party Jail, this time enlisting their good friend Dan Deacon to produce, arrange and co-write the new album. Recent personal struggles from all three members is what drove this record to become one of the Music Beat’s best albums yet. Ed himself was dealing with the death of his stepfather, who was a charismatic, yet abusive figure in Ed’s life. Devlin watched as his brother, who had long lived with a terminal illness, passed away. Dan was in the midst of a breakup of his longest relationship he’s ever had, which had lasted throughout his illustrious career as a musician. The trials and tribulations that the three artists had gone through are what drove this album, and had the group putting all of their blood, sweat and tears into it.
Ed Schrader’s Music Beat have become known for their stripped-down garage punk, but for this album they were looking for an expanded sound. Enter Dan Deacon, who was a good friend that also came out of the Wham City collective, which also included Future Islands. While Dan wasn’t able to join the Music Beat on this tour, the duo of Ed and Devlin were able to bring the new album alive at Mammal Gallery that showed off the passion of the album throughout. With Ed using only his vocals, and Devlin on the bass, the rest of the new sound was filtered into the sound system. This may be potentially a disaster for some, but this duo nailed it and made you forget that a lot of parts were prerecorded.
Perhaps it was helped by the new space for the Mammal Gallery. Mammal has been forced out of their original space at 91 Broad Street, but have, at least for now, temporarily relocated across the street to the old HL Green Building. The new space is currently very empty, what right now looks like an empty warehouse with a stage set at the back of the big open area. Not only is their tons of potential in the new space for Mammals, but it allowed Ed Schrader’s Music Beat the opportunity to totally blast their new expansive, post punk sound. Even without the full set of instruments used on the record, the band sounded much bigger than a duo.
Ed Schrader himself was the ultimate frontman. He was always moving around stage, involving the audience, and using his dance skills to bring to life the atmosphere. The band started with the first single off of Riddles, “Dunce” which absolutely blasts and got the crowd pumped for what was too come. It’s a sprawling rager that had heads bouncing from the get-go.
But from there it wasn’t always just their experimental post-punk. Ed is able to bounce around during songs, and from song to song, with the heavier stuff, and softer crooning at times that is reminiscent of everyone from Frank Sinatra, to even David Bowie, whom which he dedicated a couple of songs to. Not only is Ed a heck of a performer, but with his banter between songs you can tell he is also a comedian, perhaps a radio DJ in a past life, and maybe even a cabaret host. The guy can literally do it all, but more importantly, he is an entertainer and knows how to put on a great show as Ed Schrader’s Music Beat.
If you have already known of Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, but were on the fence about the band, or don’t know them at all, check out their new album Riddles. Be sure to catch the duo live with the full on weirdness coming alive, in which it all makes so much sense live, and is so damn stellar.
Check out photos of Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, live at the Mammal Gallery, photos by Mike Gerry:
Ed Schrader’s Music Beat Online:
Soundcloud // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bandcamp
Upcoming Ed Schrader’s Music Beat Tour Dates:
3/23 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
3/24 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest
3/26 – Reno, NV @ Holland Project
3/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon
3/29 – San Francisco, CA @ Make Out Room
3/31 – Portland, OR @ The Know
4/4 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Total Drag Records
4/5 – Minneapolis, MN @ Kitty Cat Klub
4/6 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
4/7 – Milwaukee, WI @ Quarters Rock N Roll Palace
4/8 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
4/10 – Toronto, ON @ Baby G
4/11 – Winooski, VT @ Monkey House
4/12 – Providence, RI @ AS220
4/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
