We’re in the midst of the summer of Listening Party. Over the first half of this summer, the veteran Milwaukee folk-rock outfit has performed at Summerfest, Bastille Days, Brady Street Festival, the Third Space Presents concert series, and literally dozens of other events all around the state. The action will continue this month and beyond, as Listening Party will partake in shows at Wisconsin State Fair and Mile Of Music, as well as one-off outings throughout Wisconsin and Illinois that will extend well into September. Adding to the band’s patently productive summer is the release of a long-awaited new album.
On Friday, August 25, Listening Party will release Been A Long Time Comin’, an aptly-named follow-up to 2018’s Less Is More. Between the releases, the band—which was typically good for more than 100 shows annually—weathered the abrupt work stoppage brought on by the pandemic, mutually parted ways with a longtime member, and actually contemplated putting the project out to pasture. Fortunately, they’re not only still kicking, they’ve gained new perspective along the way and have applied that to this forthcoming batch of songs.
Listening Party released “Same Ol’ Problems,” the lead single off the new record, last month. Today, the band is following that encouraging introductory track up with a second single that’s about as optimistic as it gets. “It Ain’t So Bad” features vocalist/guitarist Weston Mueller singing an infectious melody about making the most of a bad time and finding comfort in solitude. Mueller’s partner in crime, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Wood, makes his presence known with soulful harmonica, powerful piano playing, and high-caliber harmonies that help carry the positive, foot-stomping folk anthem to even more expansive territory.
Listening Party will open for The Brevet at The Back Room @ Colectivo tonight. After playing Mile Of Music in Appleton this weekend, the band will return home for a pair of shows at Wisconsin State Fair on August 7 and August 12. Finally, Listening Party will play a co-release show with Jay Matthes at Anodyne Coffee’s Walker’s Point Roastery on Friday, August 25. As you gear up for Been A Long Time Comin’ and a steady diet of live shows, do yourself a favor a have a personal listening party with Listening Party’s “It Ain’t So Bad” now.