THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Spume (spyoom): frothy matter raised on liquids by boiling, effervescence, or agitation; froth; foam; scum.
A few words from singer-guitarist Drew Bartosik:
“The nine songs on Spume were distilled from a week session in April 2021 where we tracked 15 songs before Gilad (Granot, bassist) moved to Brooklyn from Detroit. Ollie (Elkus, drums) and I finished recording and mixing over the next year. This is our tumultuous, rarely-played-out-live pandemic record. Imbued with the spirit of energetic, melodic, dynamic and distorted rock ’n’ roll, prog, grunge, alternative, pop and post-punk music; this album feels like our most mature and emotional statement yet. I personally struggled during it and the writing and production process guided me through stormy waters.
“There was no intentional theme, but in retrospect I understand it as an expression of and ode to the healing powers of art and the intention of being true to ourselves and our loved ones. I am incredibly grateful to simply make music, share it and be alive in this gorgeously vibrant absurd oscillating world. So much love to you all out there, many more good times are on the horizon! Enjoy the music today and be well.”
Alluvial Fans are an indie-rock band based out of Detroit. They are the brainchild of Bartosik (guitar, vocals), who began writing music for the first album Lag Air in 2015. After taking a few years to work on other projects, Drew began recording the album without bandmates in 2018. The group’s forming happened as an appendage of that process. In fact, some consider the band’s meeting to be proof of divine providence. The band’s forming was a matter of a broken down tour van, a salvaged show, and a most indecorous doorman. Elkus — at the time moonlighting for a punk band out of Maine — booked a tour date at Donovan’s Pub in Detroit. On the bill was no other than Gil A.D. — the DJ moniker of Granot — and Bartosik, playing solo with a drum machine, Casio keyboard and pedalboard.
In the months following that fateful show, Alluvial Fans were reborn. Ollie moved to Detroit and Gilad joined shortly after for local shows and tour dates around the Midwest. Following this string of shows, the band collaborated on the material that would become the band’s second album Earth to Astronaut, and the sound that would define a new generation. For that reason, Earth to Astronaut can be viewed as a debut album for the band as a unit.
The DIY and DIT artist communities are a source of inspiration for Alluvial Fans. Creating inclusive and music-centric atmospheres for live performances is something the band looks to foster, whether it be touring DIY spaces and house shows, or having all-ages or free shows where as many people as possible can come and enjoy live music. The band also make it a point to fundraise for charity and play charity shows when they are able to. With an awareness of the ecological footprint of touring and playing live music, a utopian vision of the band is to be part of a movement to start green venues where entertainment can be enjoyed responsibly and free of fossil-fuels.”
