At a time in which projects sometimes announce their existence with the release of a completed album or EP and musicians rush to record slapdash reactionary songs about topical subjects, it’s becoming more rare to see a band truly take its time to put out an album. We don’t mean two years between album cycles or whatever. We’re talking, like, truly waiting for years to get a release off the ground.
Well, whether they like it or not, Milwaukee indie/art rock project Cassini Echoes has definitely taken its time to put out The Only Way Out Is Through. The aptly-named debut album was more than five years in the making, and the band experienced its fair share of lineup changes, sonic shifts, and personal difficulties on the way there. After those countless ups and downs, the record will finally see the light of day on Saturday, November 2 when Cassini Echoes plays its album release show at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn.
“It’s been a true exercise in patience,” says Tyson Allison. In 2019, the singer, guitarist, and founding member rebuilt Cassini Echoes from pieces of his former project, Layers & Layers, which was put to rest by Allison and ever-present bassist Adrian Esguerra when members departed and the remaining cast started exploring new sounds. Of course, the pandemic halted any and all momentum in 2020 and for much of 2021. Once the dust settled, he and other members needed time to get back into a songwriting rhythm.
Along the way, the project incurred more turnover, old songs that were already recorded we rearranged or scrapped or had to be taught to incoming collaborators, some members—including Allison, who joined HOSTS and Lyrid in the years since Cassini’s launch—shifted focus to other endeavors, and serious health issues faced by Allison’s wife took top priority. That late 2021 restart quickly turned into 2024. Still, much like the resilient space probe for which the project was named, the Cassini Echoes signal persisted and, at long last, the refurbished four-piece has an album to show for its time, effort, patience, ups, downs, and persistence. You can listen to the first single, “Red Rover,” below.
We have a feeling it won’t be another five years before that one comes out. You can stream Cassini Echoes’ The Only Way Out Is Through starting November 2. That same night, you can pick up the album on CD and vinyl when the band plays its record release show at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn. Nineteen Thirteen, Exit Statements, and J. Briozo will play in support. The show begins at 7 p.m. and costs $10.