Ecce Shnak (it's pronounced "Eh-kay sh-knock", apparently) are a six-piece art-rock band from New York, and they've just announced a 9 date East Coast tour for 11-20 November. Not much use if you're in Mid Wales like me, but the new single is worth a listen.
The single is Anna O, and the video is a bit of a shocker – Bella Komodromos plays a woman trapped in an asylum who finally breaks free. The words are from a poem by Robin Kneubuhl, who happens to be the mother of bassist and composer David Roush (so that's a family affair). Their press release says it recalls Weezer, Nirvana, The Pixies and The Jesus Lizard, and the "for fans of" list adds Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr., Talking Heads, Deerhoof and Geese. There’s an immediate confidence to this track, marrying sharp songwriting with the kind of restless energy that makes you want to hit repeat. It feels fresh without trying too hard, suggesting an artist with both a clear identity and plenty more to say.
It was mixed by Mario McNulty, who has Bowie, Prince and Nine Inch Nails on his CV, which is quite a name to land for an indie band. Anna O is the third single from their forthcoming album Dandy Variances, following Vincent and Eddie, Legalistic Homeslice, and the album is due in early 2027.
They've been busy – the band toured the UK with EMF and guested on EMF's latest single LGBTQ+ Lover, and last year's Shadows Grow Fangs EP was mastered by Joe LaPorta, who has done Bowie, Foo Fighters and Vampire Weekend.
Tour dates:
- Wed 11 Nov – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
- Thu 12 Nov – Philadelphia, PA – Nikki Lopez
- Fri 13 Nov – New Paltz, NY – Scry Chappelle
- Sat 14 Nov – Boston, MA – O'Brien's Pub
- Sun 15 Nov – Montreal, QC – L'Esco
- Tue 17 Nov – Toronto, ON – Dance Cave
- Wed 18 Nov – Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place
- Thu 19 Nov – Brooklyn, NY – Main Drag
- Fri 20 Nov – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
Tickets are on sale now. Listen to Anna O on Bandcamp: https://ecceshnak.bandcamp.com/track/anna-o and watch the video: https://youtu.be/DVPS-bqT63k