Brooklyn-based band, Uncle Skunk played a fantastic show to celebrate the release of their new EP, Heaven River. After a strong positive response, this milestone is an exciting step forward for the group.
Heaven River is the newest release from the alternative folk rock band made up of Otis Streeter (guitar, lead vocals), Henry Pearson (guitar), Sam Benezra (guitar), Robert Kim (bass guitar), Teddy Sidiropoulos (drums). This album features additional instrumental credits to Howe Pearson and Derrick Burt. Together this 5 song EP showcases the collaborative and eclectic sound two years in the making. It’s a densely packed rock sound matched with folk vocals and a droney soundscape. In songs like Together you’ll hear more metal influences hiding in the background— making them some heavy-hitters. Still the project has an overall textured acoustic feel that reflects the band’s individual and collective tastes and styles.
“Someone had described that it sounds like all of our personalities together,” says guitarist Sam.
“We tried recording this 5 times,” tells Henry, who was a principal songwriter along with Otis. The writing process began with Henry and Otis in Connecticut; evolving over time as they played shows and recorded bit-by-bit. Later they began recording at King Killer Studio, a DIY music studio in Gowanus. They also recorded instrumentals in their own homes.
This music was again given new life and new enthusiasm when bassist Robert joined the band. You can hear his beautiful cello featured in the songs Metal’s chorus and in Together. This interesting sonic layering was made possible by Matt Labozza, who mixed the album. Robert enthused, “He was able to find the right place for elements you think would take up a lot of space.” Matt creatively found pockets in the sound to fit in these elements from midi and synth samples, like the monkey sounds featured at the end of Stuck in a Toaster.
Continuously playing live also gave Uncle Skunk a stronger sense of knowing how each song needed to be recorded and put together. It took 2 years to piece everything together.
After so much time working on Heaven River, the band members all tell that its release felt like a huge weight off their shoulders. They are happy with the EP’s unexpected and vibrant form. “Working out these final recordings it felt like we didn’t have to make compromises in any fundamental way,” reflects Henry. And still now being able to play music live continues to bring new experimentation to the music.
Sam states, “Yes, these are the recorded versions but they are not the only versions.”
The Brooklyn live music scene has so much to offer; you can find venues, bands, or parties for any sounds or atmosphere you like best. Still, Uncle Skunk has never easily fit into one box—
whether it genre, vibe, or audience. They’re an eclectic group not only in sound but in make up— each member of the band coming from different backgrounds and college music.
Coming together now in Brooklyn, the competitive and gatekeeping nature of the live music industry has been difficult for band to navigate and find their place in. “We’ve always been a kind of lonely band.” That is why DIY spaces and openness to collaborate and create accessibility is a priority they hope continues to grow. For example there EP release party was hosted at the Tea Factory, a DIY music and artists space in Bushwick, Brooklyn. These communitie are valuable for all independent artists to create equal access to resources, venues, and audiences. As Henry explains, “The Brooklyn music scene is amazing from the consumer point. There’s always cool shows to be found! But creating those cool shows can be frustrating.”
Uncle Skunk’s enthusiasm continue to perform, collaborate, and expand their music will keep them playing shows in the coming months. Experimenting and fabricating their sound as they go. They plan to release more music by the end of the year.
Heaven River is available to stream and can follow Uncle Skunk at the links below. @uncleskunkmusic https://www.instagram.com/uncleskunkmusic/
Steam Music Here – https://linktr.ee/uncleskunk
Sofia Pipolo
Sofia Pipolo is an independent filmmaker and writer, graduated from Marymount Manhattan College. Her interest in both media and social outreach allows her to think and create diversely. She covers stories on art, culture, and community businesses for Park Slope Reader, Give Me Astoria, AFTRPRTY, and other publications. Her portfolio can be found at sofiapipolo.wordpress.com.