BOYTOY
BOYTOY, embody the space that exists between jangly, dream pop and the feeling of having a few beers with friends after an exhausting day at the beach while staring out at the stars and enjoying a satisfying breeze. The Brooklyn based trio have an edge, but just enough to almost break the skin; you know, so you know they aren’t playing with you. In reality, this trio is a honed garage-y, rock band with a penchant for bright sounds drenching their fuzzy tones and harmonies that call back the 90’s alt rock explosion. Think Matthew Sweet meets the Black Lips via Beach Day.
Saara Untracht-Oakner and Glenn Van Dykestarted what would become BOYTOY in 2013 finding common ground through a mutual love of surfing, skating and making music. The duo became a trio around the time that the group was to release their first e.p. titled BOYTOY. Drummer, Matthew Gregory Aidala, brings a whole new groove to the otherwise more aggressive take on surfy, rock and roll.
“Grackle” the groups’ new long player about to drop on Burger Records and PaperCup Records is an amalgamation of all three. Saara had this to say about the recoding process: “This record is full-on collaboration. Some songs came together just through jamming. Others we brought to the group individually to be fleshed out, writing our own individual parts. Everyone sings on this record, which is cool; ultimately, making a diverse record of different styles.” The name came from a bird that the group became aware of at SXSW Festival in Austin; a bird that nearly outnumbers people there. The Grackle has a very distinct chittering and almost conversational bird call. The band also credits Mexican folklore of the bird, called Zanate in Spanish, with the name of the record. “Having no voice of its own, the grackle stole its seven distinct songs from the wise and knowing sea turtle. You can hear the Zanate’s vocals as the Seven Passions (Love, Hate, Fear, Courage, Joy, Sadness, and Anger) of life.” Much of “Grackle” has to do with unrequited love and chasing away the feelings of despair that accompany it. One would be hard pressed not to find the company of such a fun and compelling band damn near infectious.
