Today marks a big day for Maryland rockers Ballyhoo!, as they released “Mixtape,” the first single from their new upcoming album. They will also be kicking off their fall tour en route to the Three Amigos Tour with Pepper and Katastro, which begins October 22nd in Santa Ana, CA.
“’Mixtape’ is written from the perspective of when you’re a kid and you’re really longing for someone,” says frontman Howi Spangler. “I was a hopeless romantic and remember making mixtapes for girls hoping they wouldn’t put me in the friend-zone.”
This track is the first release from their sixth full-length album that is due out in early 2016 and will be released via Ballyhoo!’s own Right Coast Records. The band is recording the new album at Sonic Ranch Studios with iconic producer Paul Leary at the helm.
[Related: Ballyhoo!’s Pledge Campaign for New Album]
When we spoke with Spangler in May, he alluded to some musical changes in this album compared to the band’s last few releases. For starters, this will be the band’s first album with new bassist Nick Lucera, who took over for J.R. Gregory last year. The album will also feature an abundance of lively, summertime songs compared to the more deep and mellow tunes that were largely featured in their last two albums.
“We got to be known as a party band, writing songs about drinking, smoking weed and shit like that, and we kind of got away from that with ‘Daydreams’ and ‘Pineapple Grenade.’ Which is fine because I’m really proud of those records… I guess [our music] has always had a really upbeat feel no matter what, but we really want to accentuate it now with our next album.”
According to Howi, there are no guest appearances planned for the album and fans can expect to hear “Mixtape” and other new tracks on tour, such as “Fast Times”, so download it today and start memorizing those lyrics before you catch Ballyhoo! live.
You can purchase “Mixtape” on iTunes by clicking HERE!
Related Links:
Ballyhoo! MP3 Massive (FREE MP3)
Ballyhoo! Website
Ballyhoo! Facebook
Article By: Andrew Aroche
Watch: Ballyhoo! & Passafire – “Easy” (Commodores Cover – The Pier’s Live Acoustic Series)
