We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

BT​/​She​/​Her

by Bethany Thomas

/
1.
2.
DE-ESCALATOR 03:22
3.
4.
5.
6.
Run 04:26
7.
Only Mine 03:42
8.
9.
The Waves 05:42

about

Recorded last year between theatre gigs, then mixed and fully realized during a global pandemic, Bethany’s debut album BT/SHE/HER is personal, focused and defiant- set to rooted and melodic yet continually surprising arrangements she co-produced with longtime collaborator Packy Lundholm. “On BT/SHE/HER, I have proclamations and questions- for myself as much as anyone- about moving through the world in this Black, bi-racial, fat, queer, wonderful body.”
Her trusted backing band of multi-instrumentalists- John Szymanski (Even In Blackouts, Jon Langford), Lundholm (I Fight Dragons), Andrew Green (Twin Talk), and Patrick Martin were enlisted to help translate her manic guitar dreams into actual music. The nine tracks explore moments with Bethany as the woman she is and the woman she wants to be… or maybe just wants.

The scorching, screlting opener, “I’m Not Sorry And I’m Not Scared” kinda says it all. “I no longer feel beholden to apologize for my body,” BT expounds. “my color, my size, the places I go or the space I occupy. If there’s a problem- it is surely yours.” She even got the homie, Lindsey Charles (The Cell Phones) to help her shout it out over Packy Lundholm and Patrick Martin’s meticulously contrasting guitar grooves.

Written on ukulele in a hotel room while watching the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, “DE-ESCALATOR” is a dark, broken carousel waltz that questions the motives of one who always takes it upon themselves to Calm Down The Situation. The Heart-shaped strut-rocker “I’ll Keep Walkin’” mixes anxiety and isolation with a crunchy synth bass line to give you THE iconic moody bop for our times.

Of course there are some not-quite-there love songs- the Szymanski-composed, soulful, steel-full ballad “Run” reconciles with loving a restless soul, “70th Love Song” is a do-you-like-me tale as old as time, hung up on a Spector wall of sound with strident bursts of Summerteeth, and “Only Mine” is basically the Angelo Badalamenti/Otis Redding collaboration we never knew we needed.

Bethany contributes some lead guitar on the room to room to room sonic journey that is “Walls+Ceilings”- where she matter-of-fact-ly muses about so often being the “other” in the room, then politely but firmly lets you know SHE HAS THE RANGE. The third act crescendos into a rally cry buoyed by Andrew Green’s steadfast march and a fierce little choir of pals who get it: JC Brooks (JC Brooks Band), Robin Da Silva, Gilbert Domally and Nicole Haskins.

“The Air Is Smoke” and “The Waves” bring us back down to earth with some thoughtful, lived-in jams- the former a stormy rock duet between Bethany and Packy Lundholm’s stabbing, swirling guitar lead- challenging her riff for riff; the latter, a mushroom trip-inspired aria that has her splashing around under John Szymanski’s soaring counter-melody with the plea that we be open and ready to change and rebuild if we are to survive.

credits

released August 28, 2020

Nine original songs featuring the voice of Bethany Thomas
with:
Packy Lundholm- guitar, bass, keys, percussion, effects
John Szymanski- guitar, bass, keys, percussion, effects
Patrick Martin- guitar
Andrew Green- drums, percussion
Additional vocals: Lindsey Charles, JC Brooks, Robin Da Silva, Gilbert Domally and Nicole Haskins

Music and lyrics by Bethany Thomas- except 70th, Run, Smoke and Waves composed with John Szymanski

Produced by Packy Lundholm and Bethany Thomas
Engineered and mixed by Packy Lundholm at Sound Vault Studios in Chicago, IL
Mastered by Blaise Barton at JoyRide Studio in Chicago, IL
Album photo by Ryan Bach

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bethany Thomas Chicago, Illinois

Bethany Thomas is a Chicago singer/songwriter known for her wildly expressive, genre-fluid vocal prowess and incendiary live performances. Her debut EP, FIRST is available everywhere, and Bethany’s highly anticipated full-length album, BT/SHE/HER is due out in 2020- featuring the single "I'm Not Sorry And I'm Not Scared”. ... more

contact / help

Contact Bethany Thomas

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Bethany Thomas, you may also like: