Prog-funk quintet Earphunk has announced the release of their fourth album, Right Where I Belong, on October 7, 2016. The six-track album was engineered by Steve Albini at his famed Electrical Audio recording facility and was mastered by two-time Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Vlado Meller. The result is an energetic, boundary-pushing album rife with prog-driven guitar explosions, danceable jams and all the dynamism of a live show. The New Orleans-based band will tour extensively in support of the record this fall.
Today, fans can head over to Live for Live Music to listen to the “funky” first single from the album, “Moolah”. From the first track to the last, Right Where I Belong is a solid representation of the band’s heavy-pocket funk, recklessly satisfying guitar solos and New Orleans-inspired grooves that have made the band a favorite on the festival scene. The quintet is comprised ofPaul Provosty (lead guitar); Michael Comeaux (bass guitar); Michael Matthews (drums);Mark Hempe (lead vocals, guitar); and Christian Gallé (keyboards).
“The energy and sound of this album is the most authentic we have been able to achieve thus far in a studio endeavor,” says Hempe. A lot of this, he says, has to do with Albini’s influence. “Working with Albini was exactly what our band needed,” he continues, “Albini is concerned about recording just how it sounds so the listener almost feels like they are in the room with the band.”
The album grabs the listener immediately with “Thangis,” a song that combines the band’s creativity with relatable hard rock and funk sensibilities. Guitar licks soar to dizzying heights in “Moshimo,” another high point in the album. “Moshimo” is followed by the title track “Right Where I Belong,” a slower, groove-heavy tune that showcases Hempe’s vocals. While each tune is instrument-driven, Hempe’s voice — and clever, catchy lyrics — provide a breath of fresh air on select songs throughout the album, seamlessly blending the band’s mind-bending instrumentals with lyrics listeners can’t help but sing along to. “Right Where I Belong really represents a huge chapter in the Earphunk book,” says Provosty.
The band has come a long way since their collegiate beginnings. The musicians met as college students in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LA in 2009. They started jamming together for fun, but as empty bars turned into national tours, prime festival slots, and sold-out shows, the band’s future as full-time musicians was inevitable. Right Where I Belong is a fittingly titled next step for the band. In the two years since releasing Sweet Nasty (2014) the band has perfected their sound and strengthened their natural chemistry on the road. The result is Right Where I Belong: the band’s most creative and cohesive work to date.
Earphunk will tour extensively this fall in support of the album. A current list of tour dates are below.
Listen to “Moolah”, courtesy of Live for Live Music HERE
2016 Tour Dates for Earphunk
08/26/16 – Druid City Music Hall – Tuscaloosa, AL
08/27/16 – The Dollar Box Showroom – Hattiesburg, MS ^^
09/02/16 – Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL ^^
09/03/16 – 1904 Music Hall – Jacksonville, FL ^^
09/04/16 – The Pour House – Charleston, SC @
09/07/16 – New Mountain Theatre – Asheville, NC
09/09/16 – Great North Music And Art Festival – Minot,ME
09/10/16 – Nectar’s – Burlington, VT
09/13/16 – StageOne – Fairfield, CT !!
09/14/16 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA !!
09/15/16 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY !!
09/16/16 – Jammin’ Java – Vienna, VA !!
09/17/16 – The Foundry @The Fillmore Philadelphia -Philadelphia, PA
09/20/16 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA **
09/21/16 – Visulite Theatre – Charlotte, NC **
09/22/16 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA **
09/23/16 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
09/24/16 – Martin’s – Jackson, MS **
09/30/16 – Bear Creek Bayou – New Orleans, LA
10/07/16 – Proud Larry’s – Oxford, MS
10/08/16 – Stickyz – Little Rock, AR ^^
10/14/16 – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO ++
10/15/16 – Martyrs’ – Chicago, IL ++
10/18/16 – The Frequency – Madison, WI ++
10/20/16 – Vega – Lincoln, NE ++
10/21/16 – Cervante’s Other Side – Denver, CO ++
10/22/16 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO ++
10/25/16 – Town Square Tavern – Jackson Hole, WY ##
10/26/16 – Neurolux – Boise, ID
10/27/16 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
10/28/16 – Volcanic Theatre Pub – Bend, OR
10/29/16 – Lost On Main – Chico, CA
11/02/16 – Crystal Bay Club – Crystal Bay, NV
11/03/16 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA
11/04/16 – Winston’s – San Diego, CA
11/05/16 – SLO Brewing Company – San Luis Obispo, CA
11/11/16 The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS
11/12/16 – The Outland Ballroom – Springfield, MO
^^ Gravy supporting
@ Trongone Band supporting
** Atlas Road Crew supporting
++ People’s Blues of Richmond supporting
## Sneaky Pete and the Secret Weapons supporting
!! Madaila supporting
