New York City-based pop/rock group Scotia Rose aim to enjoy the present on the bright new single “Good Times” off their just released debut EP, out via Deko Music (ADA/Warner).
After playing a few electric shows with drum legend and Pearl Jam collaborator Richard Stuverud, it became clear that Scotia Rose was ready to make a statement, culminating in the forthcoming project. Sonically, it’s heavy pop through a rock n’ roll lens with big hooks and roaring guitar solos. Lyrically fresh and clever, it explores a range of themes from existential dread to finding love at the club.
In the almost two years since they last released, Scotia Rose has played several shows and have learned each other better as players. When Stuverud joined the live band a year ago, he made a tremendous impact and the band fully clicked. Frontman Jeff Weiss recalls, “He immediately understood what the songs needed and we knew we had to record with him as soon as possible.” On the record as a whole, Weiss adds, “Everyone was locked in. It was definitely the best experience I’ve ever had recording. The finished product is the best thing I’ve ever been involved with.”
On the buoyant title track, Weiss says, “‘Good Times’ is a trip. Where am I going and how do I get there? How do I stay present when it happens? Will it ever happen? What if it happens and I can’t enjoy it? The story ultimately ends with triumph thanks to a band that couldn’t have it any other way.”
It was born out of existential dread about music and being in a band at the time and ponders what it means to live in the present. Weiss adds, “Before the pandemic, I was playing at Irving Plaza, Gramercy Theater, Music Hall of Williamsburg and I was thinking a lot about if that will ever happen again. I started thinking about those moments and if I was present enough to really appreciate them when they were happening and wondered if it’s even possible to fully appreciate something in the moment while knowing that the moment will pass.”
The visual combines some whimsical animation along with footage of the band across NYC venues Bowery Ballroom, Sony Hall, Brooklyn Bowl and Cutting Room. Weiss says on the video that highlights the live show, “I wanted to make a video that showcased us as a live band first and foremost and I’ve been fascinated with the public domain lately, especially when I found out that I had some of those cartoons on VHS growing up. It made sense to me to want to have some stuff in there from a generation that’s about to be lost. Happy imagery that’s about to disappear from the collective consciousness forever…if it hasn’t already.” Referencing the song’s hook, Weiss adds, “Let the good times roll, now watch them roll away.”
