After being at or at least near the forefront of Milwaukee’s music scene since 2010’s Stop Berries, Berries And Berries, Berries, The Fatty Acids have experienced some changes. Once relied upon to play around town almost every weekend, the coalescing factors of member departures, realigned priorities, and real life responsibilities have seen the synth-pop stalwarts going fairly silent since putting out 2013’s great Boléro, save for a few shows here and there.
Though it’s unfortunate to see The Fatties—who, by the way, claim they’ll release a new album by year’s end—slow down a bit, the band being put in the backseat has served to spawn an abundance of excellent renderings from associated projects. Singer Josh Evert now drums in Jaill and found time to capture to aural beauty of nature in his recent Not Uninhabited solo venture. Guitarist Matt Pappas shreds in Platinum Boys. Last week, bassist Derek De Vinney became the latest TFA member to release material written for a different project with Saccharine Sea, the debut EP from his project Lingerer.
De Vinney wrote, recorded, and mixed the four-song release between October and January. Except for some flute accompaniment by Molly Stepnik, he played every instrument on the EP. Those instruments include a Hawaiian tremeloa, a music box mechanism from American Science & Surplus, his neighbors’ wind chime, and beats created on a “cheap drum machine,” in addition to traditional elements like guitar, bass, synthesizer, and vocals. The debut effort was mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering.
“This was my first attempt at doing anything on my own, and it proved to be a super intimidating, humbling process,” De Vinney says. “The experience has led me to a greater appreciation for continuously getting to work with such talented and creative friends.”
While you wait for The Fatty Acids’ forthcoming record, enjoy the understated electronic stylings of Lingerer.