New Music Reviews

Chastity Belt and Holy Wave Join Forces for a Dreamy 7-Inch Split

  • October 30, 2024
  • 2 min read
  • 102 Views
Chastity Belt and Holy Wave Join Forces for a Dreamy 7-Inch Split

Seattle’s Chastity Belt and Austin’s Holy Wave come together on a new 7-inch release for Suicide Squeeze Records, blending their distinct yet complementary sounds into a dreamy, introspective package. Out today [October 29, 2024], the split highlights each band’s knack for turning personal reflection into immersive soundscapes, balancing melancholic lyrics with lush instrumentation.

Chastity Belt leads the release with “That Guy,” a track embodying the band’s signature laid-back precision. The jangly guitars and steady rhythms carry a sense of upbeat tranquility, wrapping wistful riffs around Julia Shapiro’s candid lyrics. “That Guy” reflects on navigating life’s mundane moments—grappling with screen addiction, the instinct to cling too long to fleeting joys, and the struggle of letting go. “Maybe quitting is okay, but I don’t like giving things away,” Shapiro sings, with warm vocal harmonies adding emotional depth. The song’s backstory gives it an extra layer of resonance: recorded in LA during sessions for Live Laugh Love in 2022, it didn’t make the final album but finds a home here, complete with Lydia Lund’s wandering, inspired guitar lines. “We told her, do them all!” Shapiro recalls.

Holy Wave’s contribution, “Time Crisis Too,” unfurls like a hazy dream, steeped in nostalgic sound. This hypnotic slow burner layers warped synths, vibraphone melodies, and carefully measured percussion into a rich tapestry of sound. Micro-experiments—like seaside waves, subtle distortion, and eerie secondary vocals—peek through the textures, adding intrigue without disrupting the track’s gentle pull. Lyrically, it reflects on the relentless speed of time, capturing both longing and inevitability in its dense atmosphere.

Limited to just 1,000 copies, this 7-inch offers a collector’s dream, available in three vinyl variants: 400 yellow, 300 red, and 300 green. Officially out February 7, 2025, on Suicide Squeeze, this release serves as a time capsule—a sonic exploration of fleeting moments, transitions, and the strange comfort of holding on too long. Check out “That Guy” below:

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Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc. In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year. In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever. In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization. 2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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