Memorial

Description

THE VERMONT INDIE ROCK TRIO'S DEBUT ALBUMTHE TRANSGENDER BAND DELIVERS A DIY RECORD REMINISCENT OF INDIE ROCK AND POST-PUNK PIONEERSThe members of Thus Love, a trio from Brattleboro, Vermont, are united by their experience as somewhat reclusive outsiders. For Thus Love, DIY is a philosophy that reflects not only their musical vision, but also their very existence as three artists who identify as transgender. Since the band's formation, Echo Mars, Lu Racine, and Nathaniel van Osdol have lived together under one roof, designed and produced their own merchandise, and built their own recording studio from scratch. The art they make is so tied to who they are and the community they belong to, that it was the only way to do it. The band had just started regularly headlining the famous local venue The Stone Church when everything came to an abrupt halt. Rather than wait idly, the band decided to take their future into their own hands. Armed with YouTube tutorials and innate curiosity, Echo Mars built a makeshift studio in their apartment. The band's debut album, Memorial, is a surprisingly accomplished record. The hallmarks are undeniable for anyone who has ever obsessed over classic albums by indie and post-punk pioneers, from the ringing Johnny Marr-esque guitars on "RepeIIoner" to the pugnacious rhythm of the single "In Tandem." But what's even more impressive and exciting is how Thus Love manages to draw from this celebrated lineage to find its own unique voice and tell its own story. Ultimately, despite many difficulties and setbacks, the story of Thus Love and Memorial is one of triumph. That of finding meaning in struggle, embracing community and love, and finding joy in rebirth.