Four years since the release of their last album, Shortstraw bring fans one last hurrah in the form of a brand new album, entitled ‘Fine thanks, and you?’. The band wanted to give back to their fans in the form of a brand new collection of songs, because although this might be their last album for the foreseeable future, the songs will live forever.
When Covid-19 and life made it difficult to get together to write a new album, the band took a look at their vault of old ideas and voice notes from jams through the ages and picked and chose from there. A couple of them stemmed from little ditties frontman Alastair had doodled on his acoustic guitar, which were then fleshed out either in the practice room or finished in studio.
The result was an eclectic mix of songs that don’t really have an overarching theme, but happy songs made especially for the fans and band members themselves. As usual, Shortstraw teamed up with producer Jacques du Plessis at High Seas Studios in Parkwood, Johannesburg. Jacques is very much the 6th member of the band, in that he’s played a part in recording and producing every album of the band apart from the first one.
Alastair and Russell from Shortstraw comment on making the album
“We just wanted to put out all the songs we were sitting on. Since the hiatus in 2018, we’ve been struggling to get back into the swing of things because we all have our own businesses that we love doing and it’s hard to juggle it all. This is potentially a last hurrah for us, but the show is not over because we are proud to give fans a new album.”
The band chose the title as a play on the fact that they have been out of the game for a while. Like a catch up.”Oh shit, I haven’t seen you in ages! How’ve you been? Fine thanks, and you?”
Shortstraw describes the new album sound like an old person with ADHD. It is this very ADHD mindset that has made the band’s music and albums interesting with loud chaotic songs, and slower ballads side by side. A more mature offering, the album features an indie at heart pop punk influence, with melody being the focal point throughout.
Alastair comments on writing the lyrics for the songs
“All the lyrics I write are either about my wife, my dog, or being a mizer. Or sometimes it’s just a story I made up. There’s a song about living in Joburg called Sucker for Punishment. So it’s all over the place. But we love it all.”
The new Shortstraw album is available on all major streaming platforms, click here to download / stream it.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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