Born Ruffians - “Athena”
Photo by Calm Elliott-Armstrong
From Ontario, Canada, Born Ruffians have just released playful indie pop rock track, “Athena.”
“Athena” feels like it was pulled from an alternate universe that only bands like the Talking Heads have access to. Built on an off-kilter, angular sound that beckon you to dance like a robot the track is breezily pushed forward by the mechanical drum beat and the slippery disco strutting bass. Acoustic guitar adds to the easy vibes, while synths flamboyantly weave a pentatonic ear worm motif that brings to mind the Nile Rodgers riff from “China Girl.”
Vocally we are treated to a purely magnetic performance that brings to mind the eclectic David Byrne. Full of jittery, fun-loving character, but never pushing into absurd maniac, the delivery is simply infectious and animates the track in the most spectacular ways.
Born Ruffians lead singer and guitarist Luke Lalonde adds: “I was writing about why Athena, goddess of war, would be interested in online discourse and stuff like that. I’m begging Athena to take it easy on me. Sometimes there is a real carrot and stick, never ending search for fulfilment in life. The point is to perpetuate desire in an endless ouroboros. Inadequacy is the currency and it is printed in never ending supply. “Athena” is a deviation on Beauty and Pride as it dips into capitalist dystopia for a moment but in a fun, danceable way.”
Vivid, colourful and sonically mischievous in all the right ways, “Athena” is taken from the forthcoming album Beauty’s Pride slated for release June 6th. Make sure you preorder your copy of the album on Purple Vinyl & CD here!
Tour Dates:
June 13 - Burlington, ON - Sound of Music Festival
June 14 - Picton, ON - Base31 (Sergeants Mess Hall)
June 27 - St. John's, NL - Iceberg Alley Festival
June 28 - Whitby, ON - Whitby Music Fest
July 5-6 - Orillia, ON - Mariposa Folk Festival
September 20 - North Bay, ON - Bay Beats Festival
October 2 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
October 3 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
October 4 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
October 5 - Washington, DC - Pearl Street Warehouse
October 7 - Nashville, TN - The Blue Room @ Third Man Records
October 9 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean
October 10 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme
October 11 - Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar
November 1 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
November 4 - Seattle, WA - Madame Lou's
November 5 - Portland, OR - Polaris Hall
November 7 - San Francisco, CA - Café Du Nord
November 8 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room
November 9 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
November 11 - Phoenix, AZ - The Rebel Lounge
November 13 - Austin, TX - Antone's
November 14 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
November 15 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
Connect with Born Ruffians: Spotify | Soundcloud | Youtube | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook