Born Losers Records are dropping the new KNIFEPLAY single “Hurt Someone” today and we’re stoked to give you the first listen of the single and first airing of their new music video above!
Knifeplay returns with their first new piece of music in nearly 3 years. Engineered by Philadelphia’s Jeff Zeigler, their single “Hurt Someone” offers a dark yet empathetic view of a character who fits right in with the world they’ve crafted in song since their early EPs. The band has shared the stage with Alex G, Coma Cinema, Horse Jumper of Love, Indigo de Souza, Joy Again, Jay Som/Justus Proffitt, Narrow Head and more.
For fans of NOTHING, Horse Jumper of Love, My Bloody Valentine.
Knifeplay began as the recording and performance project of Philadelphia based songwriter Tj Strohmer.
Their debut came in 2017 with the home recorded EP No Funeral, soon followed by 2018’s also home recorded With U EP, both released through Oakland, California’s Smoking Room records.
Strohmer sought the help of engineer Cameron Konner to help mix (and partially record) the band’s 2019 full length Pearlty, the first to feature performances from now former members Alex Ha, Pat McBride, and still active member Alex Stackhouse, as well as contributions from keyboardists Chris Norcross and Tom Fala. The album would later get a cassette release through Window Sill records.
In 2020 Strohmer released a lengthy B-Sides compilation, a side project entitled Gates of Hell, and a new song “Miracle” benefiting bailproject.org through the music collective Hibernation Circle.
Knifeplay is currently recording their sophomore album with Philadelphia engineer Jeff Zeigler. The band features contributions from Alex Stackhouse, John Scortino, Max Black, and Jack McBride, and Johnny Klein.
Knifeplay is releasing a single and corresponding cassette with Philly based label Born Losers Records on November 12th 2021.
An sophomore LP which is being finished now by Philly mainstain Jeff Zeigler (War on Drugs/Nothing/Mary Lattimore) and is due out later in 2022. Touring plans in support of the LP will follow.
Press:
These songs are powder kegs, pushed to their breaking points at just the right moment. – VICE
The music itself is incredibly spooky in its own right […] the best tracks on this record are bonafide shoegaze crushers. – The Alternative
Interesting chord progressions and gorgeous guitar lines often masked by the lo-fi overly effected guitar found in other projects, really makes them stand out on “Breathe,” reminiscent of early Beach Fossils with interjections of synth strikes that are once again backed by the orchestral fillings of the keyboard as a clap track meanders gorgeously in the background. – Post Trash
