The Tuscaloosan band with an incredible sound and distinct style, Homebody, has recently released their nine-song debut LP, Stranger To Yourself. What would a band be without a great backstory? Meeting in 2009 through mutual friends, Austin McQueen – Vocals and Guitar – and Jonathan Lollar – Guitar – would regularly play gigs with their old bands at the same venues as each other. Eventually losing contact and several years of silence between the two passed before McQueen reached out to Lollar with an interesting proposal, thus Homebody formed.
Homebody is an Alt-Rock, Pop-Punk band that began life in the depths of the recent pandemic. With this and many writing sessions for Homebody’s first EP, Letting Go, being socially distanced, the band’s music has been shaped by the trials and tribulations faced by many during the past few years. With lyrics like “You wore a mask before this shit even started” – ‘No Love‘ and “On the chance that one-day things will change We’re throwing caution to the wind When it’s gone, what will remain?” – ‘Drifting Away‘, there are clear undertones of pandemic influence that fuels the songs with the relatability we all crave.
Maintaining the 90’s nostalgic rock sounds that the previous releases hold, Stranger To Yourself brings a new darker territory, both sonically and lyrically. Themes of anxiety, loss and regret are apparent throughout the band’s discography, with a major portion of Stranger To Yourself’s thirty-three minutes being dominated by these themes. Written and composed by McQueen and Lollar, the LP brings two guest features on ‘No Love’ and ‘Overgrown’; Scott Hodnett of ‘All In’ appears and screams on ‘No Love’ and Jake Vintson of ‘Penny Circus’ takes us through the bridge of ‘Overgrown’. Releasing three singles and a music video for ‘No Love’ the band received positive feedback across the board; With the video being a great split of narrative and band shots, you become reeled in quickly, only to be let go at the end.
Looking to celebrate their LP release, Homebody plans to soon play a string of local shows. McQueen and Lollar will be joined on stage by touring artists; Jordan Humphries on guitar, Lucas LeSueur on bass and George Rutledge on drums. Though fans may be excited to know group rehearsals have begun, no formal announcement of any shows has been made yet.
Only being around for two years, the band has an impressive fire about them that will surely see them grow to incredible heights. So, keep an eye on them.
Listen to Stranger To Yourself, out now.
Find Homebody Online –
Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music | Merch
