It’s a familiar story among musicians, but one that’s worth telling. Just before the COVID-19 crisis came knocking in early 2020, a young project was starting to play out semi-regularly, had recorded material they were preparing to release into the world, and were really starting to hit their stride. Of course, that was all put on hold. However, with conditions improving and the world gradually making its way back to something nearing normalcy, Robot Witch is getting ready to make up for lost time.
Robot Witch was started by vocalist and synth player Matthew Lubus after his previous band, Moth Light, came to an end. After adding guitarist Ryan Koski, Jimmy Rocco on bass, and drummer Eric Morrissey to the mix, the project that initially began by covering The Velvet Underground and jamming together quickly turned into a full-fledged “electric psych rock” band. With some audience-tested originals to its name after more than a year together, Robot Witch was planning to release an EP last spring until COVID precautions canceled a few of its show and put release plans on hold.
Today, Robot Witch is ready to give listeners their first taste of that recorded material by letting us share the group’s debut single. “Millennial Hat” melds elements of psych rock and electronic music, as Lubus’ minimalist lyrics are blanketed with a wall of distorted synthesizer, frantic bass and percussion, and blistering guitar solos. Lubus tells Milwaukee Record the band is going back into the studio to record more material for an EP he anticipates will be released in late 2021.
While there are no Robot Witch shows on the books at the moment, the singer says his “All Synths Day” benefit will return for its 5th annual installment sometime in November and the band will take part in the annual “Starry Nights” charity concert around Christmastime. As you wait for those events (and hopefully other Robot Witch performances before that), you can listen to “Millennial Hat” below.