This week, multi-faceted indie-punk/emo/experimental collective itoldyouiwouldeatyou aim to make their mark with the release of their debut album, ‘Oh Dearism’. It’s radiant, and at times, a blissful record that neatly captures the lyrical wisdom of Joey Ashworth through topics such as progressive politics, self-acceptance and the complexities of young love and life. Its blend of beauty and angst makes for a compelling set of songs. Ultimately, it’s a thoroughly honest and potent album.
As their reputation has grown for the best part of a year, itoldyouiwouldeatyou have organically created a like-minded community who have found a connection with their take on politics, philosophy and intellectualism. Their emergence is firmly embedded in a DIY ethos which is threaded throughout independent music.
In the leadup to the release of ‘Oh Dearism’, we asked itoldyouiwouldeatyou‘s Joey Ashworth to curate a playlist of essential DIY bands.
1. Fresh – Fuck My Life
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Fresh play this song live. It just went OFF! When all the vocals come in at the end, I fully lose it.
2. GLOSS – Outcast Stomp
Like a lot of queer kids in the punk scene, GLOSS were really big for me. This track shows their vicious sound so well. I adore this band. I never got to see them live and I miss them so much.
3. Jeff Rosenstock – 9/10
This is an incredible pop song. It’s got this 70s piano rock sound to it that I don’t think was expected by a lot of people, but works so so well. Using this almost camp sound in the music to underscore and contrast the very real sadness in the song.
4. Kermes – I Wanna Be Yr Sometimes
I had the honour of watching this band every night on tour a while early this year. I got to really dig into my understanding of their songs and their performances. There’s so much passion, of course, but also the songwriting is just streets ahead of so many of us. The melodies feel like instant classics.
5. Nervus – Nobody Loses All The Time
The rhythm to this is so fun on its own, let alone the fact that the melodies are hooky as hell. I thought a lot about this record when we were writing the singles for ‘Oh Dearism’. Just good, concise, meaningful pop music.
6. Gorilla Biscuits – No Reason Why
Am I allowed to include 80s DIY in this? Cos I’m gonna. This track was BIIIIIG for me as a teenager. Just hearing a punk band with that NYHC attitude, yelling about middle-class kids scamming them, blew my mind.
7. Chance The Rapper – No Problem
Ok, first up, yes I do count Chance’s first mixtape as a DIY release. He did it while he was suspended for a week at high school. He was a kid and he came out with this incredible piece of work instead of like, doing homework or whatever. This DIY anthem off his most recent (free) release fucking goes off. A defining moment in music. And he has yet to sign to a major label. He’s so committed to releasing free music, they had to change the rules of the Grammys just so he could win!
8. Bomb The Music Industry! – Vocal Coach
It’s a track about being self-conscious about how your voice sounds and worrying that your fans deserve better. I can relate to every part of that.
9. Self Defense Family – Self Immolation Family
This track marks the moment I fell in love with this band. It’s simultaneously so angry and cynical and heartfelt. The ‘green light’ bit at the end gets me every time. I’ve blown my voice singing along to this a number of times.
10. Granola Suicide – Consumerist Healthcare
GS is a great friend of ours. Their photo is the artwork to our single ‘Mourn’ from last year. This track is one I have to prepare myself to listen to it’s so emotional. Beautiful and so honest and kind.
‘Oh Dearism’ by itoldyouiwouldeatyou is released on 16th November on Alcopop! Records x Failure By Design Records.
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