Proud Parents – Proud Parents LP Dirtnap Records

Vinyl LP pressing. Starting in Madison, WI, as the musical culmination of a decade of friendship and playing in punk bands, Claire Nelson-Lifson and Tyler Fassnacht (Fire Heads) began writing the first of Proud Parent’s jangly, garage-infused pop tunes in Nelson-Lifson’s living room. Shortly thereafter Heather Sawyer (The Hussy) joined on drums and vocals, turning the songwriting duo into a trio, and they quickly garnered a devout following both locally and regionally, and gained a reputation throughout the Midwest as a live power pop force to be reckoned with. Now a full-fledged four piece, with Maggie Denman on bass, the band has established it’s own unique dynamic with three lead singers whose voices and songwriting stand strong individually, yet blend together with such comfort and ease that it is hard to imagine them apart. After two live tapes and a full-length cassette, the band is ready with their first self-titled album on Dirtnap Records. This record also marks the first release in eighteen years by a band from the label’s hometown of Madison, WI. The album begins and ends with a bang through a dozen tightly wound tunes full of infectious, harmony ladened choruses, ripping guitar solos and hooks for days. The three singers converse, support, and share vocal duties like passing around a bag of Halloween candy. Recorded and mixed by Bobby Hussy (The Hussy, Cave Curse, Fire Heads) at his own Hex Empire, it is about self-reflection, jumping from saccharine adoration to heartfelt confession, isolation, anxiety, loss and moving on.