Pulsing with the energy of their hometown New York City, ‘If There’s a Heaven’(out 9/13/24)is the debut album from indie band Melt. The band formed in 2017 and cut their teeth touring on the heels of their viral single “Sour Candy” over weekends in college. Called “one groovy super organism” by NPR, they are known for their ecstatic live set. In 2021, Melt released their‘West Side Highway’ EP and toured nationally, further developing their intuitive connection as players as well as cementing their status as a band to watch.
‘If There’s a Heaven’ presents Melt simultaneously at their most airtight and freewheeling–evoking the raw, communal spirit of Fleetwood Mac as well as the modern, danceable hooks ofMUNA. Recorded live to tape with producer Sam Evian (Big Thief), the eleven tracks spanexistential, feel-good pop (“Plant the Garden”), classic love ballads (“Your Name”) and lush,soulful rockers (“Heaven”). Melt’s debut is ajoyous, timeless soundtrack for coming of age andfinding oneself and one’s community. As emotionally stirring as they are groovy, Melt will movelisteners in every sense of the word.
MARIS
MARIS first discovered planet Earth in 1999 while traveling through the endless vacuum of space on an expedition for life, love, and adventure. She hitched a ride on a comet to Los Angeles in 2021, where she decided to stay and become a pop music sensation. Her mission on this planet is to connect with listeners through her candid experiences as a queer and emotionally vulnerable songwriter with an ‘80s-inflected pop universe and beats you can’t help but dance along to.
Quickly adapting to terrestrial life in LA, MARIS could soon rip a joint like a local. By June 2023, she was ready to share the tales of her cosmic travels and released a six-song EP, Gravity, and accompanying short film, Gravity: The EP: the Movie (Black House, Best Friends Music), co-directed with Caro Knapp. From flaming hot one night stands that turned ice cold in the light of the sun in “Was It A Dream?,” to a cry for help as she slipped from childhood to adulthood in “outofmydepth,” all the way to her reminiscing over a bumpy “Crashland” into NYC circa 2017-2020, these songs and more will take you on a (super)sonic/visual journey through the world as MARIS sees it.
Following the EP release, MARIS delves into the black hole of complicated human topics such as moving to a new city and getting lost in the sauce in “GOING YET!,” the rush of developing feelings for a super “Hot Guitar Player,” and a very literal depiction of a too-long “Voicemail” she left her family after moving to LA. Throughout her celestial catalog, you can hear the influences of MARIS’ favorite artists including Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton, Stevie Wonder, Bleachers, The 1975, MUNA and more.
Singing her way across the Milky Way in 2022, MARIS toured as a vocalist with Postmodern Jukebox, playing 52 shows in 2.5 months across Europe. Supporting her EP through 2023, she beamed herself from coast to coast opening for Anna Of The North, as well as The Wrecks.
Fans caught MARIS Earth-side this summer performing at Boston Calling, a show with Kid Sistr, and Missoula Pride. Best experienced live, MARIS and her music have a riveting aura that ensures all in attendance are in a safe place to be their happiest, truest, and most out-of-this-world selves.
Her newest single, “Julia Roberts,” is available everywhere now!
