September 12, 2024 |
Porches, the recording project of NYC’s Aaron Maine, unveils new angsty album Shirt, is out tomorrow (September 13). The latest album from the synth-pop musician indulges in an array of rock bangers, elevated by the tension between emotional ballads and raw beats. It’s a bratty and hormonal fusion – reflecting on both suburban youth and the bleak shades of adulthood.
Shirt features some of Maine’s heaviest work to date, with the artist having dominated the indie pop genre since the 2010s. The new album is his sixth under the title Porches, following on from All Day Gentle Hold! – an energetic and intimate body of work released in 2021. However, the American synth-pop project hasn’t been short of publicity in the years following – his fan favourite single “Country” was plucked by Phoenix’s Thomas Mars for Sofia Coppola’s 2023 film Priscilla. And it’s not only the music industry that Maine has left his mark on – he also appeared as the face of Versace Jeans Couture in 2023.
The rock album was announced alongside one of the featured tracks ‘Joker’ – an intoxicating and catchy single that holds an emotional edge. Porches’ UK tour will begin in October and includes a date at London’s Heaven on October 2.
Ahead of the album release, we sit down with Porches to chat about the influence New York has on his sound, his post-show rituals and what we can expect next from his record.
1. WHAT IS PORCHES?
“Porches is me, Aaron Maine. Aaron Maine of Pleasantville’s public diary.”
2. DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN THREE WORDS?
“Gunky, dramatic and lush.”
3. WHAT INSPIRED YOUR LATEST ALBUM SHIRT?
“Distorted guitars, rock music, fantasy, anxiety.”
4. WHAT DO YOU WANT LISTENERS TO FEEL WHEN THEY LISTEN TO IT?
“Pure bliss.”
5. FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE ALBUM?
“‘School’ which is like an interlude, Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory type sound.”
6. THE ALBUM WAS RECORDED IN YOUR STUDIO IN SOHO, MANHATTAN – HOW DOES THE CITY OF NEW YORK INFLUENCE YOUR SOUND?
“It influences it in every way possible. I can’t even imagine what a record would sound like that I made outside of New York. The sounds, the street, the construction, the people I see, the outfits, the smells, the architecture… I recorded most of “Shirt” in the basement where the studio is and that felt really special to be tucked underneath the cobblestone streets of Soho, kind of like a secret belly of the beast energy that wasn’t supposed to be there, in a cool way. It kind of felt like a little den down there.”
7. WHO’S ONE ARTIST, DEAD OR ALIVE, YOU WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH?
8. BEST POST-SHOW HANGOUT IN NYC?
“Baby’s All Right is my favourite place to hang out. Billy Jones runs it and always takes care of us and really anyone who goes in there.”
9. WHAT’S YOUR PRE- OR POST-SHOW RITUAL?
“Pre-show I’ll usually drink some beers with the band and hang out with our friends. Maybe a couple of push-ups before going on stage to get the wiggles out. Post-show there’s not as much of a ritual.”
10. WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE NEXT YEAR?
“The tour is going to be epic so some whacked out live shows. The album isn’t out yet so there’s that to expect on September 13. And just more and more music.”
Photography by Jason AI Taan.
