Ben Quad release new single Painless // Forthcoming LP Wisher out November 14
Photo Credit: Kam Coker
Post-emo band Ben Quad released the new single Painless with an accompanying music video. This is the second single off their forthcoming album Wisher, set for release on November 14 via Pure Noise Records.
Painless is about processing feelings of grief and guilt after the loss of a close friend. It deals with the struggle of seeing someone you love show depressive warning signs and feeling helpless in your attempts to reach out to them. In the aftermath, you just wish you could have done something more to show this person how lucky you felt to have them in your life.
“We knew early on in the demoing process that we wanted the vocals to pull from 2000’s emo. The chorus is a big nod to bands such as Taking Back Sunday and features Sam and Henry trading off lines in the classic emo co-vocalist style” says guitarist Edgar Viveros. “For the outro, we wanted to bring back the post-hardcore/screamo heaviness that we showcased on our previous release, ‘Ephemera’. ‘Painless’ not only has the pop-sensibility that we’re introducing with the new record, but also the shreddy, midwest emo guitar lines we’ve come to be known for and the raw, aggressive sound we displayed on our last EP.”
This new track follows their debut single off the record It’s Just a Title, that explores what it’s like living with constant insecurity and questioning your happiness. This music video goes in a different direction as director, Alex Scalzo, chose to make the video all performance shots using various framerate, motion, and lighting techniques. It showcases a darker, more introspective side of the band as opposed to the lightheartedness in the first video.
Stream Painless here and watch the music video here:
Wisher serves as the follow-up to Ben Quad’s 2022 debut I’m Scared That’s All There Is. While the first record captured the uncertainty of youth, Wisher reflects a more hopeful perspective, with the title symbolizing the part of ourselves that looks ahead to a better future. The new album feels like a response to the band’s earlier work, offering growth and optimism in place of doubt.
Leaving the Sooner State for New Jersey, the band connected with producer Jon Markson (The Story So Far, Drug Church) to bring the album to life, taking up residence at his farm/studio for their first real studio experience. Amidst barnyard animals and peaceful countryside, the idyllic setting provided the perfect backdrop – full of time and space – to find themselves and the next evolution of their sound.
Wisher is now available for physical pre-order, and those who do are invited to attend their upcoming in-store performance and signing in Birmingham, AL at Seasick Records. View vinyl and bundle options at https://lnk.to/BenQuad_Stores.
Ben Quad is gearing up to kick off a US tour supporting labelmates, KOYO. Dates begin on October 23 in Toronto, ON at Velvet Underground and will wrap up November 23 in NYC at Racket. The band will then head to the UK/EU supporting Arm’s Length.
“Overall, this record is the most confident we’ve ever been as songwriters,” Viveros continues. “There are moments where we venture into experimental and folky territory, but a good amount of the album is also us having fun and leaning into full pop-sensibility.”
PAINLESS - OUT NOW
WISHER - OUT NOVEMBER 14
https://lnk.to/BenQuad_Stores
Wisher Track Listing:
01. What Fer?
02. Painless
03. You Wanted Us, You Got Us feat. Zayna Youssef
04. Did You Decide to Skip Arts and Crafts? feat. Sam Canty
05. It’s Just A Title
06. Very Big in Sheboygan
07. All Your Luck
08. Classic Case of Guy on the Ground
09. West of West feat. Nathan Hardy
10. I Hate Cursive and I Hate All of You
