The Chelsea Curve reflect on ‘7000 Hours’
On September 29, the Boston mod-pop trio offer a pensive, change-of-pace track for its seventh ‘Singles Scene’ release
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The Chelsea Curve’s debut album set for Winter 2022 release via independent label Red On Red Records
LISTEN: THE SINGLES SCENE, TRACKS 1 TO 7, VIA SPOTIFY
LISTEN: THE SINGLES SCENE, TRACKS 1 TO 7, VIA BANDCAMP
Above photo credit: John Keegan
BOSTON, MA [September 29, 2021] -- As we enter the fall season for the second time in the pandemic age, there’s a general sense of longing that looms overhead. Perhaps it’s the early sunset and decreasing daylight, the onset of the colder months and the loneliness they bring, or the notion of winter isolation lurking just around the corner. For The Chelsea Curve, the Boston mod-pop trio are no strangers to this feeling, but their will to endure shines through on new single, “7000 Hours,” set for release on Wednesday, September 29 via Red On Red Records.
“7000 Hours” marks the seventh single in the group’s ongoing series The Singles Scene, a monthly release of new music that began in March 2021 and culminates this winter with their highly anticipated debut album. Coming off last month’s punchy “Inconceivable,” which generated radio play from stations and programs around the world, “7000 Hours” finds The Chelsea Curve in a more introspective mood, channeling pieces of R.E.M., Blur’s more meditative balladry (“This Is A Low”, “The Universal”), and even touches of Americana and alt-country.
Perhaps “7000 Hours” is a change-of-pace from the band’s bouncy, mod-and punk-inspired rock and roll that draws an overarching lineage from British Invasion to Cool Britannia. But in truth it’s an engaging display of songwriting and lyrical depth from a band just hitting its stride.
“Some would argue ‘7000 Hours’ doesn’t fit into The Singles Scene at all, given the change-of-direction in style,” says bassist and vocalist Linda Pardee. “I like to think that it fits into The Singles Scene in the same way that both The Jam and Johnny Cash fit into your record collection.” Adds guitarist Tim Gillis: “It’s definitely a change of pace -- literally -- from most of our other stuff, but that’s OK. We’re stretching out and doing something a little different. Maybe it adds some suspense for what’s going to happen with the next single.”
Until then, there’s a lot to absorb within these “7000 Hours.” Pardee says the track was penned after communicating with her mother, who was recently placed in an assisted living community. Because of COVID and the age of social distancing, the separation between the two, connected mostly through technology with in-person visits strictly monitored and increasingly reduced, began to take its toll.
“‘7000 Hours’ is about a super intense feeling of separation from a loved one; feeling that you won’t see them for a long, long time,” Pardee reveals. “It’s a very personal song for me as during this past year of COVID, my mum moved into assisted living. At first, no visitors were allowed, and I felt totally cut off from her. I began to envision my mum on a long space mission -- which made me feel better. Chatting to her via FaceTime felt like mission control. Suiting up in a gown, gloves and mask (when visitation was allowed) felt like getting ready for a space walk. Just basically feeling helpless and floating away, untethered in space. Feeling scared and wanting to both run towards her and away from her at the same time.”
And with all those emotions swirling around her, Pardee admits the song takes on an additional layer of meaning, as well: “It’s also about preparing for the big ‘good-bye’, the final send off, the long bon voyage… the grand finale: sending someone off to the afterlife. We debated if the ending was too abrupt and weird but I liked it; it sort of wakes you up at the end -- like you’re waking up from a weird dream... or like that final goodbye?”
For many, this time of year represents the end. For The Chelsea Curve, perhaps it’s just the beginning.
Please direct all press inquiries to The Chelsea Curve at thechelseacurve@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
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More from The Chelsea Curve on ‘7000 Hours’:
If you had to spend ‘7000 Hours’ in one place, where would it be?
Linda Pardee: If I can count the United Kingdom as one place, then that would be it! Give me the cities of England, the villages of Scotland, the countryside of Wales and by all means, Belfast! If it could only be one place, then of course, London, hands down.
Tim Gillis: If I’m going big, I’d say Europe; would be nice to have the run of the place. Or, on the opposite end, I could easily spend that much time in a music store.
If you had to listen to one band for ‘7000 Hours’, what band would that be?
Tim Gillis: All, in unison...
Linda Pardee: Silly -- The Jam, certainly.
If you could go ‘7000 Hours’ into the future or ‘7000 Hours’ into the past, what would you choose?
Linda Pardee: No doubt, the past. I love the idea of time travel and going back in time; however, given where we were 292 days ago in this pandemic then I must head 292 days into the future and hope I don’t need to bring a mask.
Tim Gillis: Yeah, I don’t think anyone’s up for going 7000 hours back from now -- so on to the future! I’m hoping that transporter beams have been invented by then.
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The Chelsea Curve are:
Linda Pardee (bass and vocals)
Ron Belanger (drums)
Tim Gillis (guitar and vocals)
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The Chelsea Curve short bio:
The Chelsea Curve have always been your favorite band, providing the constant song playing in your head as scenes, styles, and sounds change around you. With a sonic template rooted in retro mod-pop but with enough snarl to roll with the punks and whipsmart hooks to hang with the rock and roll crowd, the Boston trio have in 2021 unleashed The Singles Scene, a string of monthly releases featuring ultra-melodic earworms off their forthcoming debut album, set for winter 2022 release via red-hot indie label Red On Red Records. Everyone who listens to The Chelsea Curve connects the band’s influence to their own personal favorites of yesterday, but with six Singles Scene tracks released so far this year, and global radio play amplifying their presence louder with each offering, The Chelsea Curve are quickly forging their own rock and roll path connecting the past to the present.
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‘7000 Hours’ single artwork:
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The music of The Chelsea Curve has been heard on:
USA: The Rodney Bingenheimer Show on SiriusXM, Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood, The Rodent Hour on Radio Free Brooklyn, WZBC’s Fuzzed Out, Bay State Rock, BumbleBee Radio, Rising with Skybar and Strike The Box on WMFO Tufts Radio, Music Authority, FONR, Hanks Alternative Radio, WITR, KZUU, Chasing The Essential, iROCK Radio, Krux FM, GarageRocktopia, Aggie Radio, New Visions Radio Network, Woody Radio, Lucky Star, DM Pulse, WORT, WMPG, KTAL, Rock And Roll Radio, Power Pop Shop Chicago.
United Kingdom: Somer Valley, Radio Skye, EN5, Howfen Radio, UK Independent, CDNX, Camglen Radio, IPO Radio, Pop Radio UK, Radio Wey, Belter Radio, Radio VGR, Oban (Scotland), KOR Radio, Merseyland, KCC Live, Limehead Radio, Military Veterans Network, Perfumed Allotment, IC Radio, Redwall, LSR Leeds, Future Radio, EDA Scotland, Dandelion, Cambridge, Castledown, Radio Warfare, Steve Garnett’s New Music Radio.
Around The World: Banks Radio Australia, Base FM (New Zealand), Lux Radio (Brazil), Radio Sotra (Norway), Radio Jade (Germany), Flatlines Radio (Germany), Valley 89.5 FM (Australia), Dublin City FM (Dublin), Narradio 95.3 (Sweden), QCIndie (Canada), Mike Rogers Show (Japan), FM4 (Germany), Radio Pepito (Mexico), Island 92 (Phillipsburg, Saint Maarten), Radio Ara (Lux), Only Rock Radio (Spain), Queens of Noize (Australia), Voix de Garage (France), Plastico Elastico (Spain), Shakin’ Street (Dublin).
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Media praise for The Chelsea Curve:
"The song [‘Inconceivable’] is a dazzling, mesmerizing track ... and they really have a sound that pays homage to the past, while also embracing the musical possibilities of the future." _Music Box Pete
"Are the gal and guys of the Chelsea Curve really releasing a new single every month? Man, I hate overachievers, mainly because I'm jealous of, y'know, ambition. I forgive 'em quickly because each of these singles has been pretty damned swell, which is why we play them all on the radio.” _Boppin’ Like The Hip Folks Do (Carl Cafarelli)
"[The Chelsea Curve] might just be my fave new group." _Whole Lotta Shakin's Mike Murray
“The Boston trio just released ‘A Better Way,’ and it's virtually perfect… a jangly as hell pop punk/garage rock jam. It's a bouncy song dripping with punk attitude despite being filled with pop hooks.” _If It’s Too Loud
"'Drag' is something special. When that chorus hits, it's absolute magic... If catchy mod-pop with tons of smarts, big hooks, and amazing vocals sounds appealing to you, all of these Chelsea Curve singles are essential downloads." _Faster and Louder
“[The Chelsea Curve] excel both in the more classic melodic punk style ...and in their more quirky material, like the ditty they wrote explaining how to decode the weather beacon atop the old John Hancock building in Boston.” _Rock And Reel
“‘A Better Way’ is a jangly, Jam-like affair. Like the others it sounds like maybe it was a hit before and you just can't recognize it. Singer Linda Bean Pardee has another stellar vocal performance. There's a little Chrissie Hynde in it. The way the song is written allows her to wrap the words around the melody and give them a twist that your ear just loves.” _Boston Groupie News
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The Chelsea Curve press photo:
Photo credit: Reuben
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