Stander Announces Debut Album 'The Slow Bark'

On May 10th, Chicago band Stander will release their debut album The Slow Bark. The trio of guitarist Mike Boyd, bassist Derek Shlepr, and drummer Stephen Waller are rooted in both heavy music and Chicago's flourishing experimental and improvisational community. With The Slow Bark, Stander infuses nuance into emotionally potent pieces that are both stirring and dauntless.

Capturing the essence of indescribable feelings from the mundane to the profound is central to Stander's music. The largely instrumental pieces throughout The Slow Bark illustrate their unique ability to compose dynamic narratives which embody those ineffable emotions. Diverse textures are used throughout the album to shape each piece's character. Layered effects on tracks like "Cutting Ants, Conquering Ants" intensify an air of anxiety. Feelings of nostalgia on the album are invoked by haunting delays, where cavernous reverbs create a sense of loneliness and longing.

Following in the tradition of midwestern instrumental acts before them such asTortoise, Pelican, and Russian Circles, Stander defies categorization. Propelled by a sense of disquiet, their music is endlessly fluid and searching. On The Slow Bark, Stander unite that defiant spirit with an emotionally blistering core to exhilarating ends.

Stander will be playing an album release show at The Empty Bottle on May 1st with Mako Sica and Imelda Marcos. They will also be opening forBloodyminded and Aseethe on May 25th at Sleeping Village.

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