Dummy — the Los Angeles band comprised of Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman,
Nathan O’Dell, and Joe Trainor — announces its new album, Free
Energy, out September 6th on Trouble In Mind Records, and shares the
lead single/video, “Nullspace.” Pop has always been a big part of
Dummy’s sound, but it manifests differently on Free Energy.
Sometimes it’s quite literal (and funny), such as the bubbly synth
sequence made with a Korg EM1 popping all over lead single
“Nullspace,” which features a melody written by O’Dell and is
the song the band calls the record’s “sonic mission statement and
really influenced by Mark Van Hoen, especially the cut-up dreamy
dance-pop he was making on the Locust record Morning Light.”
Dummy’s debut full-length Mandatory Enjoyment arrived in late 2021
and quickly became one of the year’s sleeper hits. Pitchfork,
Bandcamp Daily, Stereogum, Aquarium Drunkard, and other publications
praised Dummy’s mix of ambient and twinkly guitar pop, their deep
musical references, and the intentionality with which they patchworked
it all together. Fans bought copies of Mandatory so quickly that
Trouble in Mind couldn’t keep it in stock. Sub Pop Records also
invited the band to contribute to their legendary Singles Club series.
Bands loved Dummy, too, and the group were asked to open for
Horsegirl, Botch, Black Country, New Road, Luna, Spirit of the
Beehive, Dehd, Snooper, Sweeping Promises, Snail Mail, and more. Where
Mandatory Enjoyment was cerebral and lo-fi, the product of a lot of
time inside, Free Energy is all movement, presence, and physicality. A
creatively restless band, Dummy felt like they had done the best
version of motorik pop that they could do, and wanted to get harder,
dancier, a little more psychedelic. Ewell and Trainor began
experimenting with home recording, using DAW as kind of an instrument
for composition rather than simply a tool. O’Dell dug deeper into
instrumental/sample composition, in addition to contributing more
guitar leads. Maatman also steps into the spotlight in a big way, her
vocals noticeably foregrounded and confident, adding to the live
performance feel that forms the foundation of Free Energy. The result
is a record that celebrates music’s ability to move the body,
whether that be through a teeth-rattling wall of MBV-esque noise, a
sticky pop chorus, or a joyous drum machine—or, if you’re Dummy,
maybe all of them in the same song. Additionally, Free Energy features
guest appearances by friends Dummy has played with on tour, including
Oakland-based saxophonist and electroacoustic artist Cole Pulice and
Jen Powers of Powers / Rolin Duo, along with a series of field
recordings the band made while on tour: the rushing of water, the
rumbling of the van, indistinct voices, chirping birds; the sounds of
mundanity rising to cacophony before petering out, treated no
differently than the ecstatic rhythms, explosive hooks, and blissful
ambient stretches that came before. If there is any key to
understanding what makes Dummy such a compelling band, perhaps it is
this: it’s all music to them. Presented by Hi-Dive. This is an 18+
event
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10/07/2025 Last update