For fans of: M83, Beach House, War on Drugs, Washed Out, Passion Pit
Purchase FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS’ EP via iTunes HERE
View Music Video for single “Seeds” exclusively via Idobi Radio HERE
AUSTIN, TX – AUGUST 9, 2016 – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and nobody exemplifies the idiom more so than The Rocketboys’ keyboardist, Justin Wiseman, who debuts his DIY alter-ego, FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS
“This EP is a result of several years of songwriting during a time that, for my main project [The Rocketboys], was full of some of the most extreme highs and lows of my career,” states Wiseman. “The undulating highs and lows seeded the emotional soil of the songs – songs of anticipation, anxiety, wanting to move ahead but feeling held back self-doubt versus eagerness, remorsefulness for things done wrong – all threaded together the optimism of love (I celebrated my fifth anniversary this year) and the gift of music.”
Purchase FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS’ EP via iTunes HERE.
Coinciding with the friendswithbenefits releas
Stream the music video for “Seeds” via Idobi Radio HERE
friendswithbenefits is a keyboard-driven hook-fest, comparable to heavy hitters, Beach House, Washed Out, or War on Drugs. It was mixed by Lang Freeman, mastered by Danny Stapleton, and features the guitar-playing of Brandon Kinder and Kyle Samuel. The EP’s physical release was designed by Brandon Craddock, with photographic collaboration from Whitney Wiseman.
Biography:
FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS is the musical child of Justin Wiseman, keyboardist for Austin-based anthemic rock band The Rocketboys. FWB is a modern take on 80s synth-pop that both musically and lyrically balances density and whimsy. Surprisingly powerful arrangements for these “bedroom” recordings feature more keyboards than can fit into a 500 square foot downtown Austin apartment (don’t bring it up in front of the Mrs. though – it’s a touchy subject!).
After a decade or so accompanying and rarely stepping out beyond the role of a collaborator in projects such as The Rocketboys, Quiet Company, Dustin Kensrue, and Stoney, FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS is a progressive step forward for Wiseman as a songwriter, arranger, singer, and lead-keyboardist. Wiseman honed the sound and artistic direction over the past few years – ones full of notable triumphs and near-defeating lulls professionally. This long incubation contributed to the EP’s broad emotional range.
Musically, similarities to modern keyboard-heavy outfits such as Beach House or Washed Out immediately emerge, but also a keen sense of melody, pop-sensibility, and hooky-ness dominate the album and carve a fresh area of the genre.
Connect with FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS:
facebook.com/fwbatx
(Twitter) @fwbatx
(Instagram) @fwbatx