Wayward Vine explore a euphoric bond with ‘Dancing On Your Basement Floor’
Americana indie-folk project from Valerie Rachel and Greg Lawrence release a spellbinding single about human connection on Friday, August 22
Debut album ‘The Fall’ set for release on September 19
Listen to May single ‘End of May’ on Spotify
Photo Credit: Diana Levine Photography
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BOSTON, Mass. [August 22, 2025] – There comes a point in every new relationship where a decision has to be made: Is this something meant to last, or is it just an impassioned fling for the here and now? But there’s also a feeling that emerges just ahead of any resolution, where a certain euphoria of the heart and mind creates a unique sense of harmony, and we simply forget about reality to embrace an overpowering swell of unbridled lust and emotion.
That moment, however long it may last, and whatever the outcome may be, is at the sentimental root of Wayward Vine’s enchanting new single, a spellbinding fit of casual intensity and intrigue called “Dancing On Your Basement Floor,” set for streaming release on Friday, August 22.
It’s the latest hypnotic effort from the Boston indie-folk and Americana band, composed of core songwriters Valerie Rachel (harmony vocals and keys) and Greg Lawrence (vocals and acoustic guitar) and a backing band that on this track features Jim St. Pierre on percussion; Boston scene veteran Yoni Gordon on electric guitar; and Jose Downes on bass.
“‘Dancing On Your Basement Floor’ is the encapsulation of a moment in time that is really beautiful but also short-lived,” says Rachel, a classically trained vocalist, violinist, and pianist. “The story of the song reflects the longing and excitement associated with a newer relationship that isn’t always replicable but usually leaves a mark.”
Lawrence agrees, adding: “It’s about an intense relationship captured at a moment in time where the relationship has come to a crossroads – do we continue and take it to the next level or do we walk away? Like most romantic relationships, there’s a simple and beautiful innocence to it in the beginning before things escalate and become more complicated. At its core, ‘Dancing’ is a pure love song, with notes of desperation, internal conflict, and sexual intensity mixed in for good measure.”
With a slow-burning potency, “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” arrives fresh off Wayward Vine’s live performance at the New England Americana Festival at Bellforge Arts Center this past June. It also acts as one last aural appetizer ahead of debut album The Fall, surfacing September 19 after a string of attention-grabbing singles dating back to last year.
In a relatively short period of time, Wayward Vine have slowly crafted a reflective world through song and storytelling, where beguiling themes of heartbreak, obsession, and the dynamic of family relationships are soundtracked by an enriched sound of sweeping emotion that flirts along the lines of folk, Americana and indie, drawing comparisons to the likes of 10,000 Maniacs, The Head and the Heart, and The Civil Wars.
But to properly indulge in “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” is to understand Wayward Vine on an almost spiritual level, to reflect back on lyrics that explore the complexity of human relationships, particularly romantic ones, and to feel the songwriting chemistry that has quickly flourished between Rachel and Lawrence, who trade off vocals and harmonies with striking ease.
The bones of the track, as well as the lyrics and melody, were penned by Lawrence before the band formed, but quickly evolved into its current shape through the pair’s penchant for building upon what the other provides, adding arranging, melodic instrumental riffs, and other elements that have quickly become Wayward Vine hallmarks.
“Much of our songwriting is informed to some degree by actual meandering experiences of living on this earth and ‘Dancing’ is an example of that,” Lawrence adds. “Also, to me it’s a very emotional song, both in the lyrics themselves but also in its musical expression and delivery. It’s a song that we ‘feel’ deep inside when we play it live, and hope that feeling carries over to the listener as well. If I think of my favorite songs among the vast universe of music that’s out there, it’s the ones that invoke a deep emotional response in me. We hope ‘Dancing’ is that kind of song for people when they hear it.”
Produced by David Minehan, recorded at Woolly Mammoth Sound in Waltham, and mixed and mastered by Will Holland at Chillhouse Studios in Charlestown, “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” also serves as a compass to Wayward Vine’s debut album, connecting recent releases with new compositions. The long-player will wrangle up the band’s seven prior singles dating back to only last December, including a trio that have emerged so far this year in January’s “History,” March’s “Implode,” and May’s “End of May.” Four new tracks round out the album, where snapshots of modern life are filtered through Rachel and Lawrence’s acute songwriting lens.
“Creating new music with Val and the others is energizing and nourishes my soul,” Lawrence admits. “We have a shared vision for the types of songwriting themes and imagery we want to express in our music. We have different, but complementary, writing styles and we make each other’s music better, along with our amazing supporting bandmates. But there’s a common core to what we do that’s really powerful, in my opinion.”
That shines through on “Dancing On Your Basement Floor.” Though the protagonists in the lyrics are faced with a decision of where their relationship may or may not lead, the creative relationship and blossoming friendship between Rachel and Lawrence feels destined to not only keep pushing forward, but to evolve into something truly special.
Audiences first heard the potential last fall with charming debut single “The Fall,” a magnetic pop-rock track that lends its title to the forthcoming album, and each Wayward Vine composition has emerged like its own unique chapter in the band’s emerging story, in both narrative and musical style. There is both cohesion and diversity in their sound, something that emerges both warmly familiar and entirely new.
“We have never tried to box ourselves into a certain genre or song style,” Rachel admits. “Some people listening to us hear a little bit of folk, a little Americana, and even some ‘80s rock or ‘90s pop. I think one of the special things about us is that we let the song’s story and structure go where it’s meant to go without worrying too much about where we ‘fit in.’”
It’s one of the many aspects where Lawrence and Rachel see eye-to-eye, slotting Wayward Vine as one of the more exciting new bands to emerge from Boston’s electric Americana scene in some time. “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” continues to set that tone, and frames what’s to come.
“Because the song was written before Wayward Vine was formed and then evolved through artistic collaboration into a fully polished work for our first album, I see it as one of the roots of the Wayward Vine tree, so to speak,” Lawrence concludes. “Creatively, it’s at the foundation of the Wayward Vine sound and image. I also see it as having the potential to inspire and inform our next phase of writing new material as we continue to evolve as a band.”
Unlike that young couple unsure of whether their fling will emerge into something long-lasting or flame out in a fit of passion, the foundation of Rachel and Lawrence’s songwriting and storytelling seems like a sure thing to stay intact.
Media Contact: Direct press inquiries to Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com and reach Wayward Vine at waywardvineband@gmail.com.
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Wayward Vine is:
Greg Lawrence: Vocals and acoustic guitar
Valerie Rachel: Harmony vocals and keys
Jim St. Pierre: Percussion
Yoni Gordon: Electric Guitar
Jose Downes: Bass
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‘Dancing On Your Basement Floor’ production credits:
Written and performed by Wayward Vine
Lyrics by Greg Lawrence
Produced by David Minehan and recorded at Woolly Mammoth Sound in Waltham, MA
Mixed and mastered by Will Holland at Chillhouse Studios, in Charlestown, MA
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‘Dancing On Your Basement Floor’ single artwork:
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Wayward Vine short bio:
Wayward Vine is a Boston-based Americana and indie-folk band led by core songwriters and co-vocalists Valerie Rachel and Greg Lawrence. Together with their band, they perform harmony-based originals that explore lyrical themes of heartbreak, obsession, and the wide range of emotions involved in family relationships, and their music is often compared to The Head and the Heart, 10,000 Maniacs, and The Civil Wars.
Valerie Rachel is a classically trained vocalist, violinist, and pianist who is known for her haunting harmonies and fiddle playing in various Americana and country bands around the region, appearing with Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners, Muhammad Seven & The Spring, and others. Greg Lawrence originates from Newfoundland and then Ontario, Canada and hails from a family with deep roots in acoustic guitar playing, primarily in rock and folk music.
Described by Rock and Roll Fables as having an “...undeniable electricity that manifests these enchanting aural odysseys that are just soaked with a sort of down home Indie Folk meets Americana goodness...", Wayward Vine has also received international attention from the Australian publication Broken8Records, which lauded their single “Narcissist's Disguise” as a "captivating blend of indie folk and Americana… that belies the sometimes somber and soul-stirring lyrics."
Fresh off performing live at the New England Americana Festival at Bellforge Arts Center this past June, and the release of a string of captivating singles that dates back to last year, Wayward Vine is set to release debut album The Fall in September 2025.
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Early media praise for Wayward Vine:
“The band Wayward Vine is categorized under the Folk genre, but their latest song ‘End of May’ has a definite crossover feel, not quite pop but not quite folk in the literal sense. Beginning with a melodic piano opening, Valerie Rachel breaks through with beautiful undertones of Joan Baez and Joanie Mitchell. Co-writer and band member Greg Lawrence adds his deep vocals on chorus, which lends a layer to the lyrics that makes you think the song is about a bad breakup. But ending the tune with Rachel’s haunting violin adds a sense of sorrow rather than anger. It’s a lovely song, regardless of labels or genre.” _New England Americana Association
“Wayward Vine have a way about them. It’s this undeniable electricity that manifests these enchanting aural odyssey’s that are just soaked with a sort of down home Indie Folk meets Americana goodness yet lyrically are quite the opposite as the sometimes sing-songy nature comes at you with a mixture of somber and soul-stirring words that, if not in the capable hands of WV, might come off as quite jarring.” _Rock and Roll Fables
“Wayward Vine was up next [at New England Americana Festival]. The band delivered a great set of more laid-back and folkier, song-driven Americana, supporting its performance with a rich full-band sound. Notable was album-opener, ‘Dancing on Your Basement Floor’. I also noted ‘The Fall’ had a more distinctive piano flavor than the previous songs, giving it its own unique, sort-of-’80s-ish, tuneful soft rock vibe.” _Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog
“This sugar-coated soliloquy [‘Narcissist’s Disguise’] is both poignant and poppy. Valerie Rachel's warm piano lines intertwine with Yoni Gordon's guitar flourishes, while Jose Downes' bass and Jim St. Pierre's percussion create a groove-filled rhythmic foundation. Greg Lawrence adds acoustic guitar and backing vocals to complement Rachel's sweeping vocals, which deliver biting lines like ‘You don't follow through when it's not about you…’ with a deceptive sweetness.” _Broken 8 Records
“This band danced on the pop edge of Americana and had some clever lyrics and nice harmonizing, as well as some rotating instrumentation to keep things lively.” _New England Americana Association on the band’s performance at the 2025 New England Americana Festival
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Press Contact: Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com
Band Contact: Valerie Rachel at waywardvineband@gmail.com
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