The Rupert Selection offer up a double dose of psychedelic grunge
Boston trio unleash two new songs to Bandcamp on Friday, February 3
NOW STREAMING: Listen to ‘Astronauts’ and ‘Then Again’ via Spotify
New music produced by Brian Charles set for release later this year
Purchase both tracks via Bandcamp
Photo Credit: Peter McManus
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BOSTON, Mass. [February 3, 2023] -- They say that inside all of us are two wolves, representing contrasting moods and mindsets, and the one we feed helps shape who we are. The same can be said about The Rupert Selection, the Massachusetts alt-rock and psychedelic grunge band that incorporates their own brand of musical duality within a core of noisy sound. On one end of the sonic spectrum is the expansive, prog-leaning psych rock that is powered through mountainous riffage and fills every cavernous room they play; on the other is a succinct dose of pop-structured songwriting, centered around acidic melodies and a magnetic pull often found in radio-ready indie rock. Both wolves, as it turns out, remain very hungry.
And both wolves are fed with the release of a pair of singles, “Astronauts” and “Then Again,” set for release on Bandcamp this Friday, February 3. Both tracks first hit the streams late last year during the mad-dash holiday season, and both will be available to purchase for the first time when they hit Bandcamp for the first Bandcamp Friday of 2023. The re-release comes as The Rupert Selection head to Providence on Saturday, February 4 to play live at Alchemy with Boy Jr.
“‘Astronauts’ is basically an ode to feeling completely hopeless and trying not to succumb to a world that constantly feels like it is falling apart around you; somehow finding light where there isn’t any,” says The Rupert Selection guitarist and vocalist Reilly Somach. “‘Then Again’ came just from a stream-of-conscious writing, but I think it’s about being brainwashed or really high and paranoid that everyone’s out to get you.”
“Astronauts” earned radio play and regional press coverage late last year, with DigBoston including the track in its Best of 2022 roundup, writing that the listener “can’t deny the sheer shredding that’s always been a primary trait of this talented band.” If It’s Too Loud agreed, noting: “‘Astronauts’ has that fuzzed out, psychedelic alt-hard rock sound that is going to remind you of some of your favorite ‘90s classics. In particular, this one is going to make you think of Hum and early Smashing Pumpkins. It has this wonderful aggressiveness while still being beautiful.”
Helping augment that sound is producer Brian Charles, who worked with The Rupert Selection on these two new songs and is behind the board for the band’s forthcoming album, due later this year. And in line with the theme of duality, the writing and recording of both tracks began at Charles’ own Zippah Recording Studios in Brighton and finished at Mad Oak in Allston with Charles guiding the way. The band’s forthcoming album – the first since 2019’s Priors and the band’s sophomore effort overall – has also been wrapped up at Mad Oak.
“‘Astronauts’ and ‘Then Again’ are more focused straight to the point songs compared to what we might be known for,” adds Somach. “The new songs we’ve been writing and recording that will follow these singles are definitely headed in a more experimental rock direction. We are trying to expand our sound and branch out with new ways of writing while keeping it familiar to what we do best at the same time. Brian Charles has been a big influence on adding new textures and sounds we have never incorporated into our music prior. We’re at a really exciting creative place right now and feel like we’re writing our strongest material yet.”
That includes taking a refined, less-is-more approach. It’s no easy task for a band with a flair for aural grandeur, and one that continues to defy expectations, from a spirited run to the finals of the 2017 Rock and Roll Rumble, to earning back-to-back Rock Artist of The Year nominations in the 2018 and 2019 Boston Music Awards. The focus now is to capture the live energy the band is known for around New England, and fuel that into recordings that convey the magnetic essence of The Rupert Selection, where Somach is joined by bassist and vocalist Sam Bouvé and drummer Peter W. Bartash.
“These songs establish a new era and line-up of this band,” adds Somach. “Even though it’s been four years of us playing together, we have really established a new sound and creative energy that makes this new music stand on its own but also stays true to the core Rupert sound and vibe. These songs are just a taste and the beginning of what’s to come.”
Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to Michael Marotta at michael@knyvet.com, and reach The Rupert Selection directly at therupertselection@gmail.com.
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‘Astronauts’ and ‘Then Again’ single artwork:
Design Credit: Crystal Araiza
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The Rupert Selection is:
Reilly Somach – Guitar & Vocals
Sam Bouvé – Bass & Vocals
Peter W. Bartash – Drums
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The Rupert Selection secondary press photo:
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Production credits:
Written by The Rupert Selection
Lyrics by Reilly Somach
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Brian Charles
Mastered by Alex Psaroudakis
Single artwork by Crystal Araiza
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The Rupert Selection bio:
The Rupert Selection is an American psychedelic grunge band from Boston, Massachusetts.
Comprising Reilly Somach (guitar/vocals), Sam Bouvé (bass/vocals), and Peter W. Bartash (drums), the band has created a loyal following throughout New England with their “original voice” and “sound anchored in hard rock” (Boston Globe). Improper Magazine had this to say about the band’s live shows: “The Rupert Selection sparked the loudest crowd interaction, with fans shouting to fill the pauses in the trio’s deft, dynamic mash of Nirvana-esque blasts and math-prog rhythm shifts.”
Embodying everything you love about ‘90s grunge but with a modern twist, the band has released three EPs and one full-length album. Each release was built upon the previous album but without leaving the band’s original psychedelic rock roots behind.
The Rupert Selection has left its mark on Boston with sold-out venues and heaps of praise from local media – nominated for “Rock Artist of The Year” back to back in 2018 and 2019 by the Boston Music Awards; being a finalist in the Rock and Roll Rumble; being named one of the “10 Acts On The Rise In Boston” by WGBH, and one of “10 Local Acts Making Waves” by Improper Boston.
The future is bright for The Rupert Selection as a new album is in the works, with Brian Charles at the helm as producer. The band will be touring extensively after the release.
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Recent media praise for The Rupert Selection:
“Prog-rock power trio The Rupert Selection are a consistently great act with killer riffs and an abundance of volume. [‘Astronauts’] exemplifies what I’ve just described with a cool lead up at the beginning and stellar syncopation between guitarist and vocalist Reilly Somach, bassist Sam Bouvé, and drummer Peter W. Bartash. You can’t deny the sheer shredding that’s always been a primary trait of this talented band.” _DigBoston’s Best of 2022
“‘Astronauts’ has that fuzzed out, psychedelic alt-hard rock sound that is going to remind you of some of your favorite ‘90s classics. In particular, this one is going to make you think of Hum and early Smashing Pumpkins. It has this wonderful aggressiveness while still being beautiful.” _If It’s Too Loud
“The Boston trio… unleashed a sky-high psych-grunge cruiser called ‘Astronauts’, clocking in at a robust 4:20 in length and serving as the explosive live band’s first new music in three years.” _Vanyaland
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Press Contact: therupertselection@gmail.com or michael@knyvet.com
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