Car Seat Headrest

Car Seat Headrest – the lo-fi indie rock rebels who should be household names. Sean and Rene chat about Will Toledo's rise from backseat-of-car recordings to major label, and Rene's unexpected love for the epic 13-minute "Beach Life and Death". Plus, in a podcast first, Rene gives Sean a song buffet and lets him choose. Sean teases Rene about his "haters to lovers" journey on The Scholars album, and they both agree Toledo's stage theatrics are next-level.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51O6q98IPQm8NkvynJTDQy?si=fb7e5986557b46e6

https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/car-seat-headrest-besties/pl.u-4JomXdBsaaK9RG

Transcript

Car Seat Headrest Transcript

Sean: Welcome to Earshifter. He's Rene Rouleau, and he's Sean Capstick. And Sean, what kind of podcast are we? Well, we are a musical podcast that we want to talk about bands that we think deserve more recognition, and along the way we want to educate people. So we're an education podcast. We're gonna provide some criticism of the band, but these are bands they love.

So it's a very light criticism. But Rene, we're also a fitness. Podcast. How so? Let me tell you. So I'm reading this book by Alex Hutchins. He's a Canadian author, and he writes a regular column in the Globe Mail and in, uh, New York Times About Fitness. And his latest book is called The Explorer's.

Why we seek big challenges, new flavors, and the blank spots on the map. When our kids were growing up, especially our youngest, we said, be risk takers. And my youngest son said, dad, what's the difference between a daredevil and a risk taker? So explorers. Are risk takers and there's two ways to explore.

He goes through this big uh, he talks about a whole bunch of explorers. So the guys who crossed Australia first, one guy just went a little bit from where he knew was safe, so he'd go from water hole to water hole, and then the other guys. Said, I've made a mental map of Australia and we're gonna go the fastest way possible between the two of them.

And one of the examples he gives in this book, and it's getting back to that algorithm. So if you are navigating. Only by GPS. You're not an explorer if you're navigating because you know where the points are. Like that other team that actually was successful didn't die on the outback of Australia. Then you are actually changing your brain, your hippocampus is getting bigger and they've done tests on.

London cab drivers who have to memorize all of the streets in London and their hippocampus are bigger than the average person. And if you only use GPS, your hippocampus gets smaller. So if you follow your algorithm. Pity your hippocampus. If you keep listening to us and form this big mental map, your hippocampus is gonna get better.

And I think the band that we're gonna talk about will talks about a song that your mind can change your body. Oh, he 

Rene: most definitely does. That's a good segue. So who are we gonna talk about? Renee? We are gonna talk about car seat headrest. And you almost have to say it like car seat headrest, because that's also in one of the songs.

So, car Seat Headrest formed in [00:03:00] Leesburg, Virginia. But the band is currently located in Seattle, Washington. But it really started in Leesburg because the main songwriting comes from Will Toledo as you, as you kind of alluded to. So in fact, it started as a solo recording project by Will in 2010, shortly after he graduated high school.

Toledo had previously released music under other aliases, such as the 63rd fret and nervous young man and played in a band in high school called Mr. Yay. Okay. Kind of a good name. Good, good name. Yeah. Yeah. But none of them found an audience. So Toledo chose the name Car Seat Headrest, as he would often record the vocals to his early albums in the backseat of his family's car for privacy he recorded vocals through his laptops Builtin microphone.

Okay, so here's the deal, Sean. I had dinner before granddaddy with your son because you were away in Italy and uh, we talked about the [00:04:00] fact that I'm doing car seat headrest. He was very excited, but he also said, I'm intrigued to see how you deal with all the band camp albums that he did previously. And I'm like.

Yeah, me too. So, so how are you gonna deal with it? Indeed. It was a struggle. So, but I think honestly for just the purposes of our audience and the purposes of time I think the best way to approach this is to talk about his last four studio albums. But before I do that I'd like to talk a little bit about how much Car Seat Headrest has actually put out.

And it's mostly on Band Camp. I'm gonna simplify this a bit. And focus on albums only, not eps and all that stuff. So, you hardcore fans out there. If you're listening, don't come at me. So in the summer of 2010, he released four albums titled 1, 2, 3, and four. Then he started his first year at Virginia Commonwealth University.

There, he released another album. My Back Is Kill Me Baby [00:05:00] in March, 2011. Now it turns out he didn't enjoy that university very much, so he transferred to College of William and Mary. And there he released his Twin Fantasy album. So we will actually focus, Sean, just so you know, we're gonna focus on the Twin Fantasy Rerelease album.

That was in 2018, but this is the original album. They did pretty much solo. 

Sean: Which is a great album. I think the lyrics of the album are the same. The feel is very different. But on a lot of his songs, even the lyrics are more feels than than a full, uh. You know, song story, it, it very much is a motive the way he sings.

And you can see that in the seven, eight years difference between those two, the same album released 

Rene: twice. Yeah. And I agree. And, and yeah, that first one, I, I like the first one too. I just enjoy the richness and the fullness of the second one a little bit more, and we'll get into that [00:06:00] when we, when we get there.

So if you're actually keeping track, Sean between the summer of 2010 and the end of 2011, he released six albums. And potentially seven, if you count the number five of 1, 2, 3, 4. He actually had a number five, but it's since being taken off Bandcamp. In 2012, he has a super lazy year and releases just one full album called Monomania, but he makes up for it in 2013 and releases a double album called Nervous Young Man.

2014. He releases how to Leave Town. Okay, so this takes us to 2015, in 20, and. How To Leave Town is a great album. That's, it's his favorite album of that kind of pre-sign to Matador Records. That's his favorite album. Yeah. Good call buddy. Did you read that? Nope. Ah, well done. So then 2015 is the signing with Matador Records.

Sean, do you know who else is or was with Matt at her records? The only reason I ask [00:07:00] is 'cause you seem to know a lot about. Like record publisher. My favorite, 

Sean: Matador record by far was Liz Fair. But who else is on Matador? I like that imprint. They were I can't, all I can think of is Liz.

No, 

Rene: that's really good. Liz is there Bell and Sebastian is there. Oh yeah. Okay. Butthole Surface is there. Courtney Barnett is there. Oh, okay. Gang of four. Guided by voices. Oh, okay. They're so matador. I've seen Matador a lot. Yes. Yeah, exactly. So they, they know what they're doing. Apparently. Uh, Interpol.

Uh, Julian Baker, snail mail. Remember we saw snail mail a couple years ago? Pavement, remember we saw a pavement 18 million times, pavement, 

Sean: I can't 

Rene: remember. They're, they're a band from California, right? Yeah. I think there's one concert in particular, I can't remember, but it's for different reasons. And Yolo Tango.

Ah, yeah. Okay. So 2015 is a big year for Will because he also graduates, moves to Seattle and recruits bassist, Jacob [00:08:00] Bloom and drummer Andrew Katz through of all Things Craigslist to record and tour his next album. It's the compilation album Teams of Style, which is rerecorded material from Toledo's solo discography that we've kind of covered.

And it's a great album '

Sean: cause we are all teens of style. Okay. Well even, even not a teen. I feel like that. And he wasn't a teen when he sang it either. He was not. He was not, but but it's great to be a teen of style. 

Rene: Okay. Okay. That is not my favorite album by far. I actually didn't like. I'm not crazy about the album overall, but That's okay.

And you probably have a fve on that album, I'm guessing, 

Sean: Sunbird shirts? Yeah. They're, they're all 

Rene: baggers, 

Sean: I think. 

Rene: Wow. I didn't know you liked it that much. 

Sean: Wow. Not as much as the studio albums you're gonna get into, but that is a, you know, like he's rerecorded all that old songs with the band and 

Rene: Yeah, they stand [00:09:00] up and I don't disagree.

He's definitely coming into his own on this album. You can feel it. You can see it. What's interesting is the follow up to this teens of denial that we're gonna get into even on Spotify, it's so apparent that he blows up and, we'll, we'll get into that in a minute. Shortly after the album's released.

Jacob Bloom left the group to attend medical school, whatever doctor and was replaced by bassist Ethan Ives, who met the band at an open mic. Like, the way he recruits people is just wild and, and very, very 

Sean: modern and of the day when we saw him on that teens of Denial tour. Remember the band, the opening band was his band and they just came out and they just, no singer.

You liked it. They just rocked out, fell on the ground, got back up, did the James Brown and I think you said they were great. We'll never see them again, but you know, that was a great opening band and then they come out and are his backup [00:10:00] band. That's right. So, yeah, so I mean, you know, he's, he's economizing in terms of uh, the.

Who else gets paid off the cut of that show? Right. Like it was, I I thought it was brilliant and, and it was surprising when they were the backup head. Yeah. 'cause they were engaging just by themselves noodling around on the stage. That was fun. 

Rene: Yeah. And it was funny 'cause in my research, actually, a couple of the members have, have released their own solo albums.

I we're not gonna get into that for this podcast, but, you know, they're very, they're very good on their own as well. Okay. So then Ethan Ives would later switch to guitar and other instruments. With Seth Dolby taking over on Base. Ives and Dolby subsequently became permanent fixtures, and in 2016, teams of denial was released.

And by the way, that is the core band. Like, they're still with him, which is pretty cool. He's, he's actually, as opposed to some other bands that we've covered that kind of cycle through them, that's, uh, kind of wild that he a found 'em through Craigslist and an open mic, and they're [00:11:00] still with him to this day.

Okay, so now for pretty much all of the four of the latest studio albums that we're gonna go a little deeper on I only really like about four or five songs on each of those albums. Typical Renee. I guess so. I mean, I mean, band of Horses, first album loved the whole thing, but, but it's okay because the thing is I really, really, really like those songs a lot.

So I think that makes up for it. And by the way, teens of Denial is where the Spotify listens really start to pick up. So for example, fill in the blank, which is on teens of denial. 44 million listens. Whereas compared to the most listened song on teens of style mod gone 16 million listens.

So he, you can even see it reflected in teens of denial versus teens of style. He's really coming into his own. So fill in the blank is one of my bangers, obviously Vincent. Mm-hmm. Or another one. Drunk Drivers, [00:12:00] killer Whales. Another one I could leave dead. I'd rather I prefer stop smoking. Okay. Okay. Well this is good.

And then finally 1937 State Park, boy, you're drawing a blank. Interesting. Okay, cool. Because this is what we're gonna do, Sean. Now we're gonna do something a little different. We're gonna have you pick which of those four songs we're gonna listen to Vincent. Oh, that's amazing that I did not actually expect that.

That's phenomenal. Okay, we're gonna listen to Vincent. Guys, let's go.

Clip: Hey. Every day, I don't need complications. I'm for pride. They doesn't.[00:13:00] 

Find your last story, the future, and the side effects. I haven't played guitar in my strings, all broke

Wikipedia.

Sean: Okay. So that's a hard decision between the first two songs on the album, fill in the blank. And then Vincent, they are great opening cuts and so much energy, so much you don't like, he's. He's a nervous, disturbed young man as his singer. I don't know how he is, as in, in his person, but those are, he's presenting difficult characters in those songs, but they are great how they deal with their problems.

Rene: Yeah, he [00:14:00] actually says that he. Doesn't feel like he is suffering from depression or schizophrenia. He actually feels pretty good about himself, but he just, which is great. Yeah. Good for Will. Yeah, yeah, 

Sean: yeah, 

Rene: exactly. 

Sean: But in terms of the song, that album, drunk Drivers, that's a nice song. Ninth 34 State Parks a nice song, but, I would've picked, drugs with friends. Parenthetically, Joe gets kicked out of school for using drugs with friends. That's the name of the song guys, but says he isn't a problem. Oh, sorry, I didn't do it one more time, Sean. 'cause the song is so long, the song, and I think this is a great song, Joe gets kicked outta school for using, that's in parentheses, drugs with friends, parentheses.

But says, this isn't a problem. End parenthesis. It's a good, it's a good title and a great song. 

Rene: Yeah. Well, and that's the beauty of this is, uh, you know, I'm doing this episode so I get to choose the songs. But look, I let you pick that one. That was pretty good, right? It's a little different. Thank you.

It's, it's a little different and fill in the blanks. [00:15:00] Honestly, guys like, you should listen to that one as well. It's, it's just a crazy banger like Sean said, and I concur. Okay, so let's talk about the album itself. So what Toledo says about this album is quote, I wrote it during a period in my life where I was not feeling a lot of love.

It's tone and content. Reflect that I made it because that's what I do. Records have always marked the various phases of my life and I needed to get out of this one, so I needed to make that record. Catharsis. Yeah, a little catharsis. I, I, I've, we've heard that a few times in previous episodes actually, so it was their first.

To feature an outside producer, this album, and the producer's name is Steve Fisk. So I looked him up, Steve Fisk and he did some stuff with, for Nirvana and the wedding present teens of Denial. The record itself got an 86 out of a hundred on meta critic and ranked [00:16:00] 24 on pitchfork's, 50 best albums of 2016, so pretty good.

Not bad 

Sean: at all. It was a great album. Yeah. And a great concert. Like when we were there I thought it was so fun 'cause it's, teens and there were a lot of kids, but then there were a lot of people who were with their kids. A lot of people who were enjoying it themselves. I thought it was a real great cross.

Generational concert and he's, he is a, he was learning to dance. You could tell he was, oh my God, learning to dance at that show. Dude, I loved his 

Rene: dancing. It was so great. It was so unabashedly like awkward and he didn't care and he was having so much fun. That was my favorite part of that whole concert.

'cause he just didn't care. He is just like, I'm gonna dance any way I want. He can move his body around. He can. He can. So will we Love that. That was awesome. It was a great show. It was a great show. I totally agree. It was probably one of, one of the best just in terms of leaving it and feeling [00:17:00] like so good.

Which is weird considering the, uh, the nature of the lyrics and even some of the songs. They have a lot of angst in them, but a lot of power too. And I think that's why we both like them. Yep. So now we move on. To the 2018 re-release of Twin Fantasy called Twin Fantasy. Parentheses face-to-face. So like I promised Sean, we're gonna talk Twin Fantasy.

So I like five songs on this one. I like My Boy Beach Life and Death, sober to Death Bodies and Cute Things. Mm-hmm. Or sorry, cute thing. I think my fve on this one though is the 13 minute. Beach life and death. It starts strong. Then it changes. Then it changes again. Yep. And I'm like, and just when you think you know what it's going, it changes again.

Yeah. I'm like, oh my God, this song is so cool. And then it changes again. And then it changes again. So in another first, [00:18:00] Sean, we're actually gonna hear two different bits of the same song. Oh, I don't get to pick. Nope. Uh, 

Sean: this one here? Nope. Oh, okay. Nope. So much for the democracy. 

Rene: Okay. So, uh, we're gonna hear one part of beach life and Death.

First,

Clip: the river underneath.

To say.[00:19:00] 

Sean: So you like the long song, you like the thematic, the build and the loud, the soft. So I think that is a great segment within that piece. And then, you know, after those really good instructions. Eat, sleep, go home. You know? That's good instructions. Then he hopes he won't go insane. Yeah. What does that mean?

Rene: What is beach life and death? Right. Or what is the, just the mundane life itself? Is that what he's kind of talking about? I don't know. Or that is what keeps him from going safe. Whoa. Will. You're a smart man. You got us discussing this stuff. Crazy. Alright, let's, okay. Where are we going now?

Yeah, now. Well, we're still gonna be in the same goddamn song 'cause it's so [00:20:00] goddamn awesome. So we're gonna play another clip from this song right now.

Clip: Being, being a

spar.

Ah, go. Whoa, two go.[00:21:00] 

Rene: So after what we just heard. It goes quiet and soft, and then it changes again. Then it goes back to hyper fast levels again. Then it goes quiet again. I swear to God in that song, there's gotta be at least six or seven goddamn bangers in the song itself, in the whole 13 minute song blows my mind. We're gonna give a quick listen to bodies 'cause honestly, 'cause that's what 

Sean: I would've voted for.

Rene: Oh, okay. Really? Yes. Yeah. I mean, yeah, that's my second. That's my second. But how do you feel about the one I played? 

Sean: Ah, I think it's second 

Rene: to bodies. It's up there. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. That's fair. So we're gonna hear bodies, guys. 

Clip: I mean, I'm sick of, I just wanna hold you. Is it the [00:22:00] chorus yet? No, it's just a verse.

So when the chorus has come. It'll be more rewarding.

Speak you in song, but you can sing as far as I'm aware, so everyone

keep so quiet it everybody is swinging the. Everybody is giving the waitresses. Everybody is dancing, all in the dances. Everybody's dancing and every dance Now.

Rene: Okay. So that song, honestly, it just picks up from there. It's like it can't get more insane, right? No. That song gets more insane. And by the way, I think this is when we saw him the first time, I think this is when he went crazy dancing, just like had the time of his life. So [00:23:00] great. It's a great song. Yeah, it is a great song.

Okay, so now that album actually reached number three on the US independent albums charts. And then in 2020 we have the release of making a door less open. So Toledo described the album as containing elements of EDM, hip hop, futurism, do wap, soul and rock and roll. But underneath all of these things.

He says, I think these may be folk songs because they can be played and sung in many different ways, and they're about things that are important to a lot of people. Anger with society, sickness, loneliness, and love. So due to the 2020 C. 19 pandemic. Remember that one? That was a goodie. That's when this album was released, but the band's planned North American tour was canceled, obviously 'cause of [00:24:00] COVID and the shows were rescheduled for the spring of 2022.

So like two years later. And when they did finally tour, this album also coincided with the introduction of Trait, an alternative persona of toledos featured prominently wearing a modified gas mask with blinking LED lights for eyes and floppy rabbit like ears. The character had originally been created for the group's comedic side project.

One trade danger. Featuring Toledo alongside drummer Andrew Katz. Sean, how did you feel about that concert with him as Trait? 

Clip: So 

Sean: it I liked it at first. I mean, it was COVID, it was one of the first shows I think we did go see. I mean, we were wearing masks and it was like weird to be in a big crowd again.

It was great to be in a big crowd again. So when he came out in a gas mask, it was. [00:25:00] I thought it was kind of an interesting reaction to COVID. I thought it was more of a political statement. I didn't realize that they were all furries and this was part of a uh, some, cosplay thing. I couldn't believe he didn't take it off like he kept it on the entire time and the, you know, the eyes moving.

There was some theatrics. He was dancing better. He was more. Staged. I think at this point when he was dancing, it wasn't like I am throwing my body around because it felt good. And, you know, it was this, this was a bit more choreographed, right? Because the eyes actually were part of the costume.

I liked it, but I wish he'd taken it off earlier. 

Rene: Yeah. 'cause I remember, so this is our second con, second time seeing car seat headrest. And as Sean said, he's in this mask and I, I actually really, actually loved it. I really appreciated him on a whole new level because, well, first of all, the LED lights you know, sometimes they turn into hearts, sometimes they turn into different things 'cause you could actually see them.

But I just found he [00:26:00] really. Knew that because he can't see his face, he's gonna make up for it. And he was very, I think you, you hinted at it. He was very theatrical and very thoughtful. Almost David Bowie, like in his gestures and his and I, I thought, oh my God, I'm watching performance art and listening to a band I love.

This is amazing. So I actually loved it, but I did keep waiting for the mask to come off and it never did. And I was okay with that. I 

Sean: think he kind, did he not take it off at the encore or he, you know, at the end, like he must have been incredibly hot. Yeah, because that's not, you know, unless it's like a super, the deluxe gas mask.

But he, you know, I think he did take it off kind of at the end. Remember when we saw Deer hunter and the lights were so low and he had like that weird. Wig and he was so weird. It was a good show. It was crazy. That show was crazy. And then in that crazy encore, he took off his, his like weird costume and said, look, I'm a bald guy and I'm just like, you guys.

Then he put it back on and then he did that. So I. Will didn't do that, but it He did. I think he did. I did remember seeing his face at some point. [00:27:00] Yeah. Yeah. 

Rene: It's funny that you mentioned deer Hunter, 'cause I actually just listened to Deer Hunter like last week. Just out of randomness. Very different people, I think.

Yes. So, uh. Yeah, I really loved it, but I remember talking to you about it and you're like, eh, I like the first concert more. I think that's what you said. Am I wrong? I, I, I, at this point, I don't recall that strong feeling, but it could have been at the time. 

Sean: Yes. Yeah, 

Rene: yeah, yeah, yeah. And that's why I wanted to ask you that.

So in April, 2022, Toledo was diagnosed with COVID-19 while on tour. Resulting in many of the band's performances being rescheduled and later actually canceled outright. And later he actually revealed he had developed a histamine intolerance as a result of long COVID. So he is actually still suffering from long COVID.

And during this time, the band actually considered disbanding. Just because of his health. So it must be pretty bad. Yeah. The band also considered excluding touring, completely opting to exclusively rare record albums. Ella The [00:28:00] Beatles. Right. The Beatles later years. Okay. So for this album, I actually have six songs on this one that I like.

Of the 11. Of the 11. Yeah, that's pretty good. Yeah, it's not bad. Okay, so it's, I'm gonna list them 'cause I think you're gonna be able to pick this one. All right. You ready? Okay. Okay. Okay, man, here we go. Weightlifters can't cool me down Hollywood. Life worth missing. And there must be more than blood now, besides Hollywood, because I know you're not a fan of that song.

Yeah, he makes me want to puke. I think you misread that song, man. I think he's actually firmly tongue placed in cheek and he's just doing it like over the top. But we've had that discussion. We'll move on. Which song do you wanna play? Sean Weightlifters. I like Weightlifters. Oh, wow. Opening song. I think that's such a great opening.

That one surprised me too. Opening song. Okay. That one surprised me too. Alright, let's listen to Weightlifters.[00:29:00] 

Clip: Can change.

Maybe if I keep my mouth shut, I my prayer, let my secret vision deified, and then I put my arms around you and say, thank God that I found you. I kept my mouth shut.[00:30:00] 

Sean: Okay, so that from the teens of denial, from you know, the bodies, you know, it was rock and roll albums, like this was a big departure and I think you were the one who like, I don't like this new album. Like, I think you were like, this is different. He's like trying, he was reaching, it had been a bit of a gap in terms of, uh, you know, we released so teens of denial, denial, original music, amazing songs.

Then he rereleased an older album, you know, that was, a great, a reinterpretation. Amazing. And then, he comes out with a completely different, he's just doing whatever he wants. He's a bit punk rock. Yeah, I love that. And uh, you know, this is EDM. This is a completely different song. 

Rene: I think it's nice.

So I think you're right, but I think you're also wrong because I think you're right, because it was actually a spoiler alert. It's gonna be the last album, the most recent album. What? I did not like it at first, but this album I was okay with. Like I did, like, I initially loved, I'm pretty sure like three songs.

And then the more I [00:31:00] listened to it. I ended up liking whatever it was, six, yeah, six songs. So, speaking of it's so funny man, 'cause I literally have a line here that says, if Sean doesn't pick, can't cool me down, or life worth missing, pick can't cool me down. Okay? So that is the song that, that we're gonna play.

But you surprised me, man. That was pretty awesome. So Can't Cool Me Down just a banger. I have it on like, honestly, three running playlists. And by the way, band, if you make my running playlist. It's an honor because there are not a lot of bands that make my running playlists and there are not a lot of running playlists.

So, uh. That one's on, I think two or three of my running playlists, and we're gonna hear it right now.[00:32:00] 

Okay. Yeah, so love that song. Probably one of my favorites on that album, of those six. And let's talk about the, uh, the album title. So, according to Toledo, the album title has no exact meaning. Rather he preferred it to be ambiguous, to push people to listen to the album. And you're gonna love this. Sean Radiohead was noted as a large influence.

During the creation of making a door less open, specifically [00:33:00] idio tech. And kid a in fact you don't have to comment on that, Sean. We know how you feel about Radiohead. All our listeners know. So in fact, Toledo has been very open about his musical influences, which include and are not limited to Radiohead, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Leonard Coh.

David Bowie the monkeys, sorry. Don't mean to laugh at the monkeys. Monkeys are awesome. 

Sean: And they're monkeys. I think they, they're some kind of believer. Yeah, they were fun. They were 

Rene: super fun. REM Nirvana, green Day. The who? Pavement? Kendrick Lamar. Daniel Johnson. Mm. Okay. Han Stevens Destroyer.

Frank Ocean and they might be Giants Love. They may be giants. Yeah. So, uh, this album enemy gave this album a four to five stars and Meta critic gave it a 77 out of a hundred. And, and just for our listeners, meta critic is the way they do it is [00:34:00] it's uh, it's kind of, they take all the critics together.

So if there's 27 critics, they take those and they average it out. So a meta critic score of 77 out of a hundred is a representation of all the critics that they've aggregated. But it did get mixed reviews. And here's what Will said about that. He said, I'm bummed at what some people are making of it because most people don't follow my philosophy of approaching each album completely fresh.

So they see it in terms of how they see the band already, but I just can't really counter that. To me, music is only exciting when there's the possibility of going anywhere with it, which is kind of what you alluded to, Sean. Okay, so 

Sean: that is that album. So I think when you talk about influences and. One of the, the, the things that I liked after the album wasn't a full album, so are we allowed to talk about it?

He released a [00:35:00] single, it was called Malow and I don't know what, what if that's an acronym or an abbreviation for something? Making a door less open influences. Okay. There, I figured it out. It is four cuts of those influences. So. Substitute the who, right. That I think the Monkeys did a good job of golden years.

David Bowie marched the Pigs, which is Trent Resner, I believe, and then he does a song by Kate Bush. Which song? Oh, running Up The Hill. Running Up the Hill, yeah. I love that song. And yeah, I think he does a great version Yeah. Of that song. So is that the one he did with the best? No, he did another uh, CoLab with the best.

Yeah. I can't remember what that one is right now. That's another, yeah, he did that. Uh, but yeah, no, this is just him singing, Kate and he does a good job. Right. Oh, nice, nice. And that's a nice, that was a nice eighties. I, I, you know, I like all of Kate Bush's records, but, uh, that, that that, uh, hounds of Love was pretty good.

Rene: And then Stranger Things brought it back for all the youngins out there. The [00:36:00] TV show, stranger Things, running Up that hill became a smash. Hit again for Kate. Of Kate, just because of Stranger Things. Yeah. Fact. Fact. So that brings us Sean to the latest album. The Scholars released May, 2025. Uh, a couple of differences here.

His collab with the band was much greater compared to previous car seat headrest albums where Toledo would bring solo demos to the band and flush them out. The scholars saw some songs originate from other members of the band. This one was entirely produced by Toledo, by the way. Hmm. Uh, so this is a concept album.

And a rock opera that features a cast of eight characters. Its storyline takes place at a fictional college named Paresis. A university that was founded by a quote, famed playwright, known as the Scalp. Each song [00:37:00] is sung from the perspective of one of these characters who make up the university's faculty and student body.

For example, the song CCF I'm gonna say with you, it's the Opener follows a protagonist named Balko who is deeply fond of the university and its founder. Balco believes himself to be a reincarnation of the founder and seeks confirmation of his beliefs. Shall we listen to CCF? Sure.[00:38:00] 

Sean: Okay, so again, I, this is where you and I differ. You like the long form you like. You don't like lyrics, but you like rock operas. You like the, I think you like the stanzas within the songs and how they go up and down and things like that. Whereas, the rock operas don't really move me. So I listened to this album.

I've listened to it again. I gave it the, the tries. I like some of the songs. Like, you know, when you gave [00:39:00] me your little besties, uh, you know, I. Okay, I'll listen to that again, but it doesn't grab me the same way that those, and even his short songs on the rock albums are six minutes.

Right. Like, it's not like he's a, you know, he's not knocking him dead in two minutes, 59. But it's this the songs are just too long for me. 

Rene: Yeah. Well that, that's interesting 'cause I was gonna get to this, but I'm gonna just talk about it right now. So. I have like a serious confession to make on this one.

I actually hated this album the first time I listened to it. That's a strong word, Renee. It's especially strong word. This is your 

Sean: band who's, whose ear 

Rene: shifter band is this? I know, but hear me out here. This is a little left up. So I gave you my three listen rule, the whole thing end to end.

I liked the one song Catastrophe, which we're gonna hear in a minute right off the bat. Love that song. But I had pretty much given up. On it, to be honest, like just giving up entirely. But then I was like, I kind of wanted to see how others felt about it. 'cause I was like, so [00:40:00] feeling strongly about it.

And so I looked at the critics, Sean, and they mostly had good things to say. So all music.com called it unquestionably Toledo's finest work to date and one of the best albums of 2025. Reviewer from Pace called it the Band's best new album in almost a decade. So God damnit, I thought that many critics can't be all wrong.

And look at the, you listening to external influences. I know, man, and I'm really torn on this. And of course critics can be wrong. They have been wrong in the past, famously Velvet Underground for one. So I tried listening to it on repeat again, and so now I actually like. Six songs, basically.

Sean: Six songs out of how many, I dunno. And outta nine. And oh, actually that's probably 30 Minutes of Music. The six songs. 

Rene: Yeah, sorry. It's five. It's five. It's equals [00:41:00] DeVero the Catastrophe and Reality. And the CF, but reality is another 11 minute song. And um, but I love it. I mean, I really do love it.

But the thing is like, Sean, what does that mean? Does that make me a fraud? Like I listened to critics and so I went back to it. Or is that what is that, is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing? 

Sean: I. Some people are influenced by credible voices like ear shifter and will give things a listen again that maybe they passed over the first time, that maybe they see it in a different light.

That's a bit about exploring Renee. Yeah. 

Rene: Well, and you did it with me with the weaker thens, right? I got three in my rota rotation. Now because of re-exploring the weaker thans a second time. Thank you for that. And for you Band of Horses, the first album. Yeah. I made you listen to that three times for sure.

Yep. Yeah. Okay, so you're making me feel a little bit better about my feeling. I'm validating you. 

Sean: Thanks, man. You, you, you, you be [00:42:00] you. And don't be afraid of playing an excerpt from a 12 at its own. 

Rene: I am not afraid to do that, but I'm not gonna do that to us again 'cause it's not as good as, as that 13 minute one we just heard.

But I will play. A little clip off catastrophe because that is the one that just right out of the gate loved it instantly. It's a banger. Let's hear. It is my 

Clip: little are.[00:43:00] 

Rene: Sean, what do you think? 

Sean: Okay. That's a, that's a nice little excerpt. I will listen to the besties when you post them on Spotify and it'll be on there and give it another listen. And it's, uh, yeah, I mean, he's a catchy songwriter that, and he, and he writes. And the band is tight. And yeah, it, that's, um, that, that piece of the music was great.

Rene: Okay. So, so now, okay. Surprised you a bit on that one. I like that. And you can really hear the rock ness of that, especially that end bit. Eh? It is like, oh my God. You can, you can feel the, uh, his influences were Tommy by the Who, right? Great Rock Opera. Opera. So who would 

Sean: be the Anne Mar Rock character if this turned into a movie, then?

Rene: I don't know, man. 

Sean: Well, we can look forward to something. 'cause that was one of the best parts of Tommy. 

Clip: Yeah, yeah, yeah. 

Sean: That and that, the, the really [00:44:00] mean guy that and Mar rock's husband. Wasn't it like, oh, I don't remember. Oh, yeah. I don't know. 

Rene: I mean, I'm a hu I'm a big who fan actually.

Yeah. And I've seen Quadrophenia recently. Like re-watched it and that was a good one too. That was a good and sting in quite a few. Amazing, amazing Boss Bo. Yeah. Yeah. So cool. Okay, so let's go back to this album though. So, the album draws inspirations from sources like Shakespeare, Mozart classical opera various biblical and religious texts and albums such as Tommy the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spider from Mars by David.

Boy, no surprise there. Themes of the album include yearning, youth and religious Anxiety. 

That is basically the last album they've done and I'm looking forward to the next one. How about you? I'm looking forward to him coming touring. I know, but the thing is, the poor guy has long CVID and, and I think that's probably why they didn't come up here.

Sean: Yeah. Yeah. And he's taken, you know, the, the lot, the tour he did in the, uh, he took two or three days off between shows. Did [00:45:00] he? He, yeah. You know, it's, yeah. It'd be great to see him I know. Move his body around 

Rene: together. I know, I, I don't know about you, but I Longly looked at that tour list and went, is there anywhere close?

Is there anywhere? Is there any way I can go? But this is not gonna work out. Okay, so now I actually wanna do something a little different, but I, I actually wanna give a shout out to the person that introduced me to this band. Yeah. 'cause this is your band. This is definitely your band. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But that's what it's all about. Right? Um, her name is Alison McLeod and she introduced me to this band. 'cause years ago where I worked, we had this thing where there was three of us, Allison Greg Warno, and I would take turns each week sharing an artist we loved. And Allison introduced me to car seat headrest, by the way.

I introduced them to Parquet Courts. Okay. 

Sean: That 

Rene: was good. That's a good ear shifter band too. They do whatever 

Sean: they 

Rene: want as well. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a very punk rock. So why are there a near shifter band? Why are they Renee and why did they deserve more exposure? I know. Well, this is a weird [00:46:00] one, right?

Because a lot of our bands we've covered so far are kind of older bands. And this is kind of one of our first kind of new bands, so I don't think they're seminal because they haven't had a chance to be seminal. They're, it's too early to tell just what kind of influence they're gonna have on future artists, because I think they are a future artist.

I think from his early DIY works on band camp to the musical exploration with 13 minute songs to his performance kind of. Art adjacent act with his mask on stage and his theater. Like David Bowie, like gesturing. I think he really is kind of an overlooked pioneer in the modern music world.

Sean: Okay. 

Rene: And that's why car seat headrest is an ear shifter band. Okay. Agreed. Agreed. Aggressively agreed. By the way car seat headrest has 1.4 million listeners, so. They're good, but they're, they deserve more, don't you think? Sean? [00:47:00] 

Sean: It's hard to tell those stats. Yes. More everybody should know some of those songs we talked 

Rene: about.

Yeah, they are great. A hundred percent. Okay. So I think that's about it, but what about next time? What are we gonna do? 

Sean: I want to continue on the brothers trip that I've been on for the last little while and talk about a brother band from Arizona. Okay. 

Rene: Alright, tune in next time people see you up.

Bye. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Air Shifter. Tune in next time where we'll cover another band that deserves more. You can find Air Shifter on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Friend us or listen to our playlist on Spotify and visit air shifter.com for more information. Special thanks. Go to our logo designer Stuart Thorsby and our intro Outro Music by Joe Novak.

You can find him as, bye. Bye. Badman. One word on SoundCloud and a big shout out to Joe for being our awesome sound engineer slash editor. Until next time.