THE RIDER: Go Home's Top 10
Ahead of their album-release show this Thursday, the band on chaotic pedals, unexpected covers and bonus chiropractic services
We could write about a hundred million words on Go Home, which is a little ironic considering they’re a band that routinely stuns us speechless.
The talent and artistry of the four band members (Marlena Mack on keys/vocals, Travis Emery Hackett on drums, Zak Houston on guitar/vocals and Daphne Silbiger w/ the bass) is simply next-level—as is their love and affection for one another—and today our favorite gaggle of “delinquent theatre kids” has revealed their latest production: Demon Dreams of a Clearing in the Woods, a new record, out now!
The album from the "art-rock/post-folk/goth-Americana/eccentro-pop" band features 11 songs that were born, grown and honed over the years, largely in live settings, before being pressed into permanence during recording sessions at two venues, one over in Philly and one right down the street in Queens.
But more than a set of tracks, this album is a collection of stories, with “each song intimately sketching the inner and outer lives of modern seekers and sages. And beyond being a product of the band’s collaborative commitment to craft and creativity, the record is also “rooted in [their] desire to bring people together energetically with their work — a practice fondly referred to by the group as ‘summoning the demon.’”
As for the next summoning, that’s going down at the band’s album-release show with Debbie Dopamine, AVATAREDEN and Blankslate (of Denver, CO) on the Our Wicked Lady rooftop THIS THURSDAY NIGHT—
…And then read on to discover what, from squeezes to Sisqo, keeps the BFFs of the band Go Home movin’, groovin’ and feeling/looking/loving so good <3
GO HOME’S TOP 10
1. Echolalia
If cars run on gas, we run on listening to each other and riffing (sounds, bits, character voices, hamboning, etc). We *will* take the bit too far. We *will* develop entire personas around something someone said at practice three years ago. We *will* jam a full song based on a silly passing phrase (ask us about our closet hits “Residual Cocaine” “Fancy Shirt / Fantastic Cat” “Swimmin’ Upstream in the Cheddar Cheese”)
2. Crunchy snacks
Apple chips, goldfish crackers, sweet chili doritos. Zak once told Marlena that she runs on snacks and spite. This has become true for the group at large. If you’re hungry, it’s pretty much guaranteed that one of us has something to crunch on at any given time.
3. All black footwear and cool sunglasses
Particularly Daph’s Danskos and Trav’s orange-tinted blue-light blockers. Staples of the rehearsal room.
4. Marlena’s handwritten setlists
Small precious gifts, as well as tactical glue that keeps the heist running smoothly.
5. Trav's red stadium egg shaker
Vibrant and elusive. Always turning up at the eleventh hour.
6. Voice Memos (the app)
Almost everything in rehearsal gets recorded and reviewed, so this proves critical. Jams get names like "Jazz Cigarette" or "DILF Rock Deluxe."
7. Chaotic pedals
Zak makes incredible use of "The Gonkulator." Daphne insists on liberal fuzz bass via "Hizumitas." Mid-set ambient loops with Daph's beloved "Grand Canyon" and Zak's extensive board.
8. Treasured real and theoretical covers
… that may/may not see the light of day, including but not limited to: Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” Magnolia Electric Co.’s “Whippoorwill (Bonus Track),” Sisqo’s “Thong Song.”
[Editor’s note: Have formally submitted a “Thong Song” request]
9. Starting each meeting by asking how everyone's day has been
Happens without fail (this list item could also easily be "loving on each other" lol)
10. Zak’s chiropractic hugs
Ask him for one and see what we mean. No referral required. Co-pay is a cool rock or a kiss on the forehead.
Top 10 above written + submitted by Go Home. Follow the band at @go.home.exe, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the band.