Album Notes

A Conservative Dad song sounds like "the no-man's land in the trench war between books, clothes, and boxes." In other words, it’s a pop/rock, yet still genre-less musical intrusion into the expectations of the public. You don’t have to be any certain way or hold any particular beliefs in order to listen to Conservative Dad. You just have to listen.

Conservative Dad consists of Matt Batey, Sean Lane, Joe Malcomb, and CJ Stout, all 20-something and trying to balance work, school, significant others, and music. Though their backgrounds differ significantly, their drive for creativity and originality coincides perfectly. As well as their ability to give rock music a folksy spin, all the while providing catchy melodies without being cliché. There are no unnecessary additives here; this band wrote the rulebook for style and ingenuity.

Eleven of the many Conservative Dad songs were recorded in Don Gunn’s living room, in the midst of a crisp Seattle spring. 5 of those songs were chosen to represent the band’s artistic direction, thus becoming the self-titled EP. Though fans only get to take home a portion of what the band has to offer, they’ll receive much more than that at a show. At first glance, one sees 4 young guys in regular clothing, tuning and preparing their equipment. But as soon as the lights dim, and the first sounds emerge from the speakers: one is captivated. Whether the band opens smooth and mellow, or stark and forceful, the intensity level is no different. The power and simplicity of each song, combined with meaningful lyrics, is more than enough to create the ideal vibe for music listeners. There’s a feeling of calm, followed by the urge to move with the beat. Even those who are far from being musical experts can see the finesse of Conservative Dad.

But it’s not always easy. A band resembles a multi-person relationship. It requires trust, compromise, civil communication, and lots of time and energy. Hours and hours are spent each week, cooped up in close quarters throwing around arrangements until the core of music is reached: an unsolicited truth. These are the type of people whose ideas ring in their ears and drip from their noses until they can fully uncover and rightfully portray bare emotions. And that’s what Conservative Dad songs are: little pieces of each one of the members, all wrapped up in a 3 minute do-or-die envelope of honesty. It’s refreshing to find something real in a world full of artificiality. It’s already here, you just have to listen.