Brooklyn-based prog-punk band Sister Helen has another new single for you ahead of the release of their farewell, self-titled LP out January 13th. It’s entitled “Draw Near” and it just premiered via All Things Go magazine and below. Listen now!
The track plays a pivotal part in the album’s concept narrative as lead singer Nathan J. Campbell shares, “Draw Near is about a person (the “friend”) who is both self-isolating and longing for a very intense closeness with another person (the “finest mind”). They want all the noise of the external world to be gone so they can be alone with the person they believe can understand them. Instead, they’re stuck sending signals out into the noise, hoping they will be understood. Even worse, when they actually get a chance to communicate themself to the Finest Mind, they’re too afraid or ashamed to be honest.”
The story of Brooklyn-born and raised prog-punk band Sister Helen reaches as far back as pre-school for Eva Lawitts (bass/vox) and Clint Mobley (drums). Officially forming in 2003 while the two lifelong friends were in middle school, Sister Helen would add Nathan J. Campbell (lead vox) in 8th grade and Chris Krasnow (guitar/vox) in 10th.
Having lived full lives as DIY musicians, despite still being so young, and with Campbell, due to move to Istanbul, Sister Helen is now preparing to release a final, self-titled concept album due out January 13th.
With humble beginnings that stretch from all ages gigs at Liberty Heights Tap Room to present day, Sister Helen has been at the forefront of challenging, underground rock having been a played countless venues come and gone in the ever evolving NYC landscape. Touring the country on self-booked tours in recent years, the band hit a collective breaking point having pushed each other to the brink. It was this desperate energy going into the studio knowing they were recording their swan song that informs the dark, dynamic sounds and concepts across the 12 tracks.
“It’s a concept album about friendship and helplessness,” shares Lawitts. “There’s no specific narrative, but every song examines the underlying themes from a different angle. There are two perspectives, that of the ‘Friend’ (who pleads throughout the album ‘please help me’) and that of the ‘Finest Mind’ (who cries back ‘I’m so sorry I can’t help you’). These two characters sing to and about each other, trying to make sense of their relationship but are simultaneously being ruled by overwhelming doubt, narcissism and impotence.”
Look for more from Sister Helen leading up to the release of their final album with a farewell show planned for January 9th at Shea Stadium.
