Jennifer Tefft & The Strange offer an adrenalized alt-rock invitation with ‘Caffeine’
The Massachusetts band led by the acclaimed musician ready its enchanting Rock Garden Records debut on Friday, February 23
NOW PLAYING: Listen to ‘Caffeine’ via Spotify x Bandcamp
‘Caffeine’ release party goes down at The Square Root in Boston on February 24
BOSTON, Mass. [February 23, 2024] -- Jennifer Tefft & The Strange have extended an invitation. And it can be redeemed as often as necessary.
The Massachusetts alternative rock band led by the powerhouse vocalist and songwriter are set to release new single “Caffeine” via Rock Garden Records on Friday, February 23 – and it’s about more than just the buzz building around the quartet as it sets its sights on a huge year ahead. With new album Strange Beginnings out in May and a healthy slate of upcoming live shows – including the “Caffeine” record release party at The Square Root in Roslindale on Saturday, February 24 – the band wants everyone to come join their party, both on stage and off.
It starts with a loud shot of “Caffeine,” a propulsive alt-rock track that wouldn’t sound out of place on MTV’s “Buzz Bin” in the mid-’90s. It’s a lush and magnetic song full of enchanting energy, unfolding like a journey through a kaleidoscopic labyrinth without losing its soulful edge. And it’s already become a live favorite – something the band suspected might happen as soon as it first came together.
“‘Caffeine’ just felt like an end-of-the-night song from the start,” says Tefft. “So it is an invitation to the people at a show to come back, because we want to see your face again. We appreciate that exchange of energy from stage to audience – it feels so much like a caffeine buzz, that we will keep that energy alive until we meet again to do it all over again.”
The vibrant “Caffeine” was produced, recorded, and mixed by GRAMMY award-winning producer Bob St. John (Duran Duran, Collective Soul, Extreme) for PDQ Studios, with additional recording at Knyff Compound Studios. It should further elevate the profile of Tefft, the acclaimed musician who has been nominated in both the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards, while her compositions have been heard across international televisions on Cruel Summer, CSI, Stargate Universe, One Life To Live, The Young & The Restless and elsewhere.
While “Caffeine” was the final track written for Strange Beginnings, Tefft’s sixth studio album, it also represents the first time Tefft’s new band The Strange – rounded out by lead guitarist John Parrillo; bassist Stephen “Sharky” Beccia; and drummer Chris Georgenes – all came together to write a song as a collective, creative unit.
“This was the last song written for the album – and the first song we’ve really written together as a band and we are all wicked excited about how it came out,” Tefft admits. “We were still actually writing it in the studio, so it is fresh and new for us. Everyone we’ve played it for really responded excitedly to it, so it seemed like a no-brainer to make it our first single.”
Tefft and the band understand what they have here, and know the attention-grabbing “Caffeine” is ready to make the same impression on record as it does on those who come out to see the tireless band playing live around Massachusetts’ bar and club scene. And even the single artwork is a family affair, designed by Tefft’s daughter Annika Swalley in collaboration with “Sharky.”
“I think it represents the beginning of something really exciting,” Tefft continues. “For years now, I’ve mostly been writing by myself and then presenting the songs to the band. With this new configuration, we are writing from scratch as a band which is incredibly inspiring and fulfilling to me. There is no better feeling than when a song starts to form out of an exchange of creative energy and ideas. It has set us on a path of heightened creativity and I expect a ton more material to emerge over the next several months.”
Funnily enough, “Caffeine” first came together when Tefft escaped their practice space to use the ladies’ room. Naturally, a song about something most of us consume each day by drinking was conceived during a trip to use the bathroom – and the humor is not lost on anyone involved.
“The guys always joke about ‘pee break songs’... those are when I leave the space to go to the bathroom – which is often because I drink a ton of water [laughs] – and they cut loose and start jamming on cover tunes or random ideas,” she says. “I believe John was messing around with the guitar riff and it just organically turned into a song when Sharky and Chris joined in. The melody just seemed to present itself to me and the lyrics came pretty quickly once I settled on it being an end-of-set song for the audience.”
From there, Tefft took it down to Florida to finalize it in the studio with St. John, whom she describes as a “such an awesome, down-to-Earth, talented guy” who “put us all at ease right away and tapped into how best to draw the best out of each of us.”
Tefft spent five days at his PDQ Studios outside Miami, putting the finishing touches on “Caffeine” and the other songs that will be featured on Strange Beginnings. Fans got a first taste of the record in the fall, when the glistening “Love And War” hit the streams as a bit of a sonic appetizer. Now with the backing and support of Rock Garden Records, the chemistry flowing amongst The Strange, and a busy year ahead, a dose of “Caffeine” is just what the band ordered.
“I think ‘Caffeine’ tells everyone that this is different from what your usual Jennifer Tefft album sounds like,” she concludes. “This is a collaborative effort with this new band. The upbeat, forward-moving vibe of the song perfectly illustrates where we are right now as a band… this is just the beginning – so grab some caffeine and come along for the ride.”
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Jennifer Tefft & The Strange are:
Jennifer Tefft: Vocals and guitar
John Parrillo: Lead guitar
Stephen “Sharky” Beccia: Bass
Chris Georgenes: Drums
‘Caffeine’ production credits:
Written by Jennifer Tefft, John Parrillo, Stephen Beccia and Chris Georgenes
Produced by Bob St. John for PDQ Studios
Recorded and mixed by Bob St. John
Recorded at Knyff Compound Studios and PDQ Studios
Mastered by Adam Matza at Magic Ears Mastering
Beth Cohen: Back-up vocals
Artwork by Annika Swalley & Stephen “Sharky” Beccia
Released on Rock Garden Records
Jennifer Tefft short bio:
Newly signed to Rock Garden Records and New England Music Awards 2021 “Female Performer of the Year", Jennifer Tefft is a fired up, energizing presence who creates earthy music from its roots and breathes fresh, rock and roll life into them. Her music combines kickin’ rock songs with melancholy textures and vocals that wind easily from ethereal to outspoken. New single “Caffeine” arrives in February 2024, ahead of new album Strange Beginnings in the spring.
Media praise for Jennifer Tefft & The Strange:
“Jennifer Tefft is one of the great undiscovered secrets around Boston. She has a belter’s voice, a theatrical flair, a knack for melody, and a hard-driving spirit that infuses her original material as well as her offbeat covers.” _Boston Globe
“Jennifer is the New England Music Awards reigning Female Performer of the Year and you’ll see why with this song. An epic, sweeping ballad of sorts with influences firmly rooted in Americana, Pop and Alternative. The song feels practically stadium-ready and features a powerhouse performance from Jennifer.” _Graeme WXRV 92.5 The River
“Her earnest lyrics are delivered with both power and grace. Where some singers are compared to wine or whiskey, Jennifer’s voice is like a deep cordial that needs to be savored sip by sip. Her style has an edge that has not gone dull over the years and her newest songs, especially after the pandemic, are stand-outs in the Boston music scene. " _Cat Wilson, Cheap Seats on Ocean 104.7 FM
