Photos by Amanda Romankiw
Last Sunday, Slow Pulp — the midwestern indie band that either has you singing in your car or getting lost in your feelings — serenaded a full house at The Fonda Theatre. As I made my way through the venue, I saw countless pairs of Doc Martens and cuffed jeans, alongside the occasional Silverlake stache. People were smiling and laughing with one another — the sense of camaraderie was hard to ignore. This feeling of comfort is what draws people towards Slow Pulp; their tender lyrics and vibrant instrumentals generate a sense of warmth and longing we yearn for.
The Chicago-based band is composed of lead-singer Emily Massey, guitarist Henry Stoehr, bassist Alex Leeds, and drummer Teddy Mathews. Their undeniable chemistry allows the band to unite their musical talents to create art that captivates listeners. Five years ago, Slow Pulp released their self-produced debut album, Moveys. Near the end of the summer I found myself aimlessly roaming around Hollywood listening to this record on repeat. Moveys embodies summer’s transition into fall, a prelude to the colder and darker days to come. Standout track, “Falling Apart,” is a melancholic ode to seasonal depression and personal failure. Its lyrics embrace the importance of self-empathy. While avoiding internal battles may seem like the most comfortable option, learning to let go of our pride to face these conflicts can eventually help us move on.
In 2023, Slow Pulp released their sophomore album, Yard, with ANTI- Records. Similar to Moveys, Yard touches on themes of isolation and the struggle to accept love from others. However, according to Massey, the band was more intentional with incorporating these themes into the album largely due to Yard being produced during the pandemic.
Right at 9:15 pm, the lights dimmed and the crowd grew louder. A subtle haze cast over the stage, as each band member made their way to their position. As Massey gripped her cherry-stained Gibson, the opening chord progression to “Do You Feel It” crept through the speakers. The juxtaposition between Massey’s smooth voice and the eeriness of the distorted guitar reminded me of the avant-garde approach employed by other shoegaze artists like my bloody valentine and slowdive. While the song lasted just under two minutes, its hypnotic and thrilling sensation carried into the night. The band then descended into “Idaho,” the official single off of their debut album. As Massey sang about how self-deprecation can interfere with accepting the love around us, teary-eyed fans echoed the lyrics back to her.
There was a sudden surge in energy when the band performed “Cramps” and “Worm” back to back. The entire crowd was dancing and singing without a phone in sight — everyone was just living in the moment. Slow Pulp’s ability to transfix an entire theater with their melodic baselines, cathartic vocals, and raw lyrics went above and beyond my expectations.
Near the end of the show, the band expressed their endless gratitude at returning to The Fonda; the last time they’d performed there was with Alex G back in 2019. This full circle moment was heartwarming and made the night even more special. Spanning the timeline of their musical career, Slow Pulp curated on a stellar show that left me with feelings I find hard to describe. One thing I can confidently say is that they excel at creating intimate and intentional music. That night I left The Fonda mesmerized and excited to explore the rest of Slow Pulp’s discography.
Listen to Yard below!
