Gretchen Shae & the Middle Eight reflect loss into light on new EP ‘Inside A Dream’
The Boston alt-rock band expands its sonic palette with an introspective and genre-flipping three-track record out Friday, November 22
NOW PLAYING: Listen to ‘Inside A Dream’ on Spotify
“This is just a big powerhouse of a rock song that we’re loving over here.”
— If It’s Too Loud on lead single “Heroes Shouldn’t Be Villains”
BOSTON, MA [November 22, 2024] – There are several reactionary stages a person experiences after suffering a traumatic loss. While the common feelings of grief, pain, and suffering are often shared by those dealing with this often unexpected and emotionally draining development, some find a creative outburst in coping with the aftermath. For Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight, that creativity manifests itself in the explosive Inside A Dream, the three-track EP the Boston trio is set to unleash to the streams on Friday, November 22.
A sonic departure from the more brooding alt-rock and post-punk sound of the band’s previous output, Inside A Dream, led by lightning-rod arena-rock-ready October single “Heroes Shouldn’t Be Villains,” expands their creative dynamism far beyond genre limitations.
Part of that is the result of the set-in chemistry of Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight’s now-established lineup: Vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist Shae alongside lead guitarist Ronan Fahy and drummer and creative designer Nick Mehos, all collaborating as songwriters and contributors. The other part is the source material; when Shae and the boys stir the emotional weight of personal loss into the band’s rock and roll expression, what comes out on the other side is purely an emotive extension of themselves.
“The songs are really just a response to loss in a number of ways, whether it is a friend, family, or a loved one,” Shae admits.
Produced by and recorded with Roger Lavallee at Wachusett Recording in Princeton, MA, Inside A Dream is the band’s first new music since last fall’s “Safehouse” single. Over its 12-minute runtime, the record brazenly extends the realm of loss through added layers of grief, frustration, and stigmatization of mental health. The lyrical themes cascade over heavy riffs and a thunderous backbeat, as jangly and echoing guitarwork exchanges freely with Shae’s introspective and lived-in wordplay.
“Heroes Shouldn’t Be Villains,” a surprise Halloween drop that coincidentally serves as Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight’s eighth song release, is a ‘70-rock rager that doubles as a response to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – and would not sound out of place on its illustrious soundtrack. The hypnotic title track, with its bouncing bassline, early-’80s post-punk DNA, and ricocheting sonic canvass, lyrically explores the aforementioned loss and the many stages of emotions it brings. And EP closer “Little Armies,” a towering rock and roll seducer that acts as a loose bridge to the trio’s past work, deals with mental health and the continuous ways our society refuses to recognize a need to treat it – both publicly and privately.
“These songs feel bleaker yet… triumphant? It’s a weird dichotomy honestly,” says Mehos, who contributes backing vocals to the tracks. “These songs really showcase growth from our first EP, Exit Fire. There’s some sonic expansion this time around that I’m excited for people to hear and digest. We play with a lot of textures on this EP.”
Shae, a Berklee College of Music professor who once performed live with U2 on stage in Boston, appreciates how this updated version of Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight have created a tightly-woven creative chemistry that allows the band to try new approaches and sounds without losing their band’s musical identity. The three tracks on Inside A Dream are a natural progression for a band discovering new ways to convey a musical vision not limited to certain styles or genres.
Each member – Shae, Fahy, and Mehos – share a common bond that extends beyond social circles or scenes. Together or independently, each can be found across various Boston venues and night spots throughout the week, from Allston rock shows to Cambridge goth clubs to Berklee showcases to wherever else the evening takes them. It’s the combination of their at-times disparate worlds that augments a unified creative scope.
“It feels like we’re starting to form something that’s formless, if that makes sense,” Mehos offers. “Like we’re tapping into something that feels ever-changing and can sound like whatever we want – within the realm of what inspires us musically. Gretchen has always been the most open person to work with, and Ronan’s music knowledge really shines through on these songs as well.”
As they get set to close out 2024 with this new collection of material, Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight are both looking back and forging ahead. The band shares the stage with TRAITRS and Dead Leaf Echo at The Middle East in Cambridge on November 9, and have in a few short years already shared the stage with the likes of The 69 Eyes, Black Rose Burning, Screaming Dead, Nox Novacula, Ex-Hyena, Looking Glass War, Detroit Rebellion, and others. All three members also perform in Siouxsie Sioux cover band Gretchen & The Banshees, and just played live at Gramercy Theatre in New York City with The Smiths Tribute NYC.
As the sound expands, so do the live shows.
“We’ve gotten some grand opportunities opening for bands we never thought we’d ever cross paths with,” Mehos concludes. “It has really ignited a creative spark for us as a whole.”
Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight are:
Gretchen Shae: Guitar and vocals
Ronan Fahy: Lead Guitar
Marco Salazar: Bass
Nick Mehos: Drums
‘Inside A Dream’ production credits:
All songs written by Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight
Lyrics by Gretchen Shae
Produced by Roger Lavallee
Recorded with Roger Lavallee at Wachusett Recording in Princeton, MA
Mastered by Dave Locke at JP Masters
Media praise for Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight:
“‘Heroes Shouldn’t Be Villains’ is a giant rocker of a sound and not the dark, gothic 90's sound we’ve come to associate with the Boston based band. Instead, the new single sounds more like an arena rocker from the 80's, along the lines of Pat Benatar and Heart. Of course, this is still Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight, so ‘Heroes Shouldn’t Be Villains’ is darker than you would expect from my description. This is just a big powerhouse of a rock song that we’re loving over here.” _If It’s Too Loud
“Describing themselves as ‘Grungy Nightmare Before Christmas’, the sound is raw, sensual and a little bit spooky. ‘Pretty Little Lies’ smoothly goes from enticing to confronting, with bluesy guitars and a driving rhythm section that explodes into a heavier sound in the chorus. The track evokes the feelings of aggravation we experience when faced with an elaborate lie, creating an intense emotional response.” _Melodic Mag
“...a must-have for those incoming Fall playlists.” _Rock And Roll Fables
“‘Skeleton Closet’ is a metallic punk rock rollercoaster going forth and back, exploding after a short we are so cute intro into a crushing hell-o-ween slam dunk to scare your Dr. Jekykl and Mr. Hyde neighbors and all the double personalities on social media (most of us). It’s a nightmare on Gretchen Shae Street soundtracked with be-witch-ing vocals, guitar-creepy attacks and a scream-movie chorus.” _Turn Up The Volume
“Gretchen Shae’s excellent vocal performance [on ‘Skeleton Closet’] pairs perfectly with guitarist Ronan Fahy’s backup support and killer mini-leads, expertly filling the gaps and making for a big sound. ‘Skeleton Closet’ is a fantastic effort and marks a new level of development and progression for the band.” _617 Music Reviews
“Boston’s Gretchen Shae and The Middle Eight kick out the kind of medium tempo alt rock that invites you to soak in the sludgy waters of 90s, world-negating downer vibes. If that’s your thing. Dusty guitar progressions chug along to bouncy bass lines and goth-spun lyrics that promise to lift the veil from the eyes and reveal a hitherto unknown truth. What sort of truth? Hard to say exactly. … Watch for the guitar-fueled chorus that builds into a Level 5 hurricane at the close of our highlighted track “Skeleton Closet.” It will rock your dark, bummer world.” _Hump Day News
“A blast of exasperation.” _1st 3 Magazine
“The fast paced [‘Business of Broken Dreams’] ushers in the feel of fall with fast paced rock rhythms and Gretchen's piercing vocal abilities reminiscent of early ‘80s Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders mixed in to give the group some levity and gravitas that sets them apart immediately.” _Music Box Pete
M8 was Gretchen Shae at her finest. Goth, post-punk...you know the era and I was there! I thought Gretchen kinda sang like Siouxsie and the Banshees. She put down the guitar, then got down on her knees, good moves.” _Boston Groupie News
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