New Music Reviews

Ohio’s The Laughing Chimes Return with Haunting Sophomore Album ‘Whispers in the Speech Machine’

  • November 14, 2024
  • 2 min read
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Ohio’s The Laughing Chimes Return with Haunting Sophomore Album ‘Whispers in the Speech Machine’
whispers in the speech machine, the laughing chimes, indie rock, alternative rock, shoegaze, psych rock,

Ohio’s own The Laughing Chimes are back with a hauntingly beautiful sophomore album, Whispers in the Speech Machine, set for release on January 31 via Slumberland Records. The album’s first single, “High Beams,” arrives with a mesmerizing video that draws you into the Chimes’ unique world—a blend of Southern Gothic moodiness and jangly, infectious pop. With pre-orders now available on splatter vinyl and cassette, fans can secure a piece of what promises to be one of indie pop’s standout releases of the year.

On Whispers in the Speech Machine, the young sibling duo, Evan and Quinn Seurkamp, bring their evocative sound to new depths. These eight tracks reflect their Ohio roots and a refined style that walks the line between light and shadow, drawing as much from the rust belt’s atmosphere as from the classic Paisley Underground and Flying Nun influences. Each song shimmers with that jangly, reverberant guitar style that feels both nostalgic and fresh, while the lyrics paint a portrait of Southeast Ohio’s haunting beauty—a region steeped in Appalachian echoes and ghostly towns.

Evan Seurkamp explains it best in a recent interview with The Big Takeover: “Southeast Ohio is the foothills of Appalachia, so it has this indescribable mood and atmosphere. Sometimes there’s a haunting weight of decay you want to escape, but at the same time, there is some strange romanticism surrounding ghost towns.” This sentiment pulses through Whispers in the Speech Machine, giving it a distinct regional flavor and an atmospheric edge.

If their debut album, In This Town, introduced us to The Laughing Chimes, then Whispers in the Speech Machine shows their evolution into true artists of their sound—shaping music that feels like it’s reaching across time and space. With its release, The Laughing Chimes are poised to capture listeners, offering up an album that’s as enchanting as it is unforgettable.

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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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