Local band The Matriarch released their first EP, “Welcome to The Matriarch,” on Oct. 8.
The indie pop and rock band will perform the EP’s five songs at Blockhouse Bar on Oct. 15 after Nic Siemer and The Croakes perform.
Nic Siemer will open at 8:30 p.m., followed by The Croakes. Doors open at 7 p.m. and karaoke will follow The Matriarch’s performance.
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Hockemeyer said the band has always wanted to perform only original music during a performance and this EP has brought them closer to that dream.
“This EP comes from a place of emotion, all of it comes from trying to express something that maybe you do or don't know how to express,” Hockemeyer said.
Guitarist Mal Benoit said “Welcome to The Matriarch” is about empowerment of growth. The band formed a year ago after vocalist Al Erftenbeck was convinced to sing in front of a crowd and drummer Mal Babcock taught herself how to play drums.
The oldest song on the album was written in January, but the band started to focus writing their EP once their single, “Best Wishes,” was released on May 15.
Each song was a collaboration between all members except “Drunk and Lonely,” which was written by their friend Sophie DeFrench.
Bassist Jo Hockemeyer said “Drunk and Lonely” is about moving on and looking toward the future.
"It's about empowering yourself and moving on from whoever the person was in your life before,” Hockemeyer said.
Benoit said each of the five songs represent a different side of the band members.
Benoit said the band wanted the EP, along with the cover artwork by Zoey Kaylen, to show what The Matriarch is like.
She said the first song on the EP represents what it would sound like while on the way to The Matriarch, as the band sees it as a place within them. “Drunk and Lonely,” the second song on the EP, is what is heard upon arrival. The third song, “Respect,” plays a crucial part of The Matriarch as they said they have experiences with the patriarchy, Benoit said.
Erftenbeck said “Sun Song,” the fourth song, is about growth and loving yourself. She said the last song, “A Story Untold (222),” resembles the welcoming space of The Matriarch.
Benoit said “A Story Untold (222)” captures the EP’s ethos. With this song, the band experimented instrumentally with a synthesizer, organ, flute and tambourine.
The song is about growing up. Benoit said when they finished writing the song months after starting it, they were all in a different place emotionally.
Erftenbeck said the band tried to make each song stand out, without similar structure or sound. She said writing songs was a therapeutic experience of being authentic and opening up with her band members.
While recording in the studio, Erftenbeck said she had to unlearn self-critical behaviors and accept that she can’t be perfect.
“I don't like perfectionism anyways, so I was trying to stray away from that, and learn to like little imperfections, or if I don't like them, at least accept them and not be rude to myself about it,” Erftenbeck said.
Babcock said she was apprehensive of working with a male engineer but ended up enjoying the experience with Damion Schiralli at Russian Recording.
“I feel like every time we write a song together, we level up,” Babcock said.
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Babcock said she grew up writing and journaling and enjoyed the process with her bandmates. The vulnerable process allowed her to get to know and understand them better.
“I'm really thankful to be playing with all non-men and be able to contribute that to the music scene,” Hockemeyer said.
