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Shotgun Waltz

Shotgun Waltz filtered roots rock through a college radio rock lens in their infectiously Sink or Swim

Posted on 6 August 2024

Boston’s critically acclaimed roots rock revivalists, Shotgun Waltz, fortified their latest alt 90s indie-adjacent single, Sink or Swim, with infectious fortitude, as an invitation to shift to a rendered-with-resilience brighter perspective.

Just one hit and you will want to rip up those invitations to your pity party for one. There’s no room for remorse in the sun-bleached production which uplifts with melodically brashy college radio rock guitar chords that shift to mellow staccato rhythms in the verses, priming the listener for the bursts of euphoria in the choruses.

Shotgun Waltz may be roots reverent, yet their cultivated approach to pushing the genre forward resounds throughout Sink or Swim, which will also feature in their upcoming 10-track LP, which will arrive on the airwaves in Fall 2024.

Fronted by Jim DeTore, the fourpiece possesses a unique ability to reach directly to you as you immerse yourself in their honed synergy which belies the fact that the powerhouse has only been playing together since 2012. The symbiotic harmony between each layer in Sink or Swim pulls you into a vortex of dynamic rhythms and melodic interplays – you can practically feel each member playing intuitively to each other’s cues.

Sink or Swim was officially released on July 29 and is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shotgun Waltz Fused Americana and Echoes of the Alt-90s to Craft the Ultimate Derision of ‘Pity Party’ Throwers

Posted on 29 January 2024

Single: Pity Party by Shotgun Waltz

.What do you get when you fuse the roots of Americana and alt-country with the nostalgia of the alt-90s? Hit play on the latest single, Pity Party, from the raconteurs of cliché-averse aural experimentalism, Shotgun Waltz, and find out for yourselves.

The first shimmering notes tease you into expecting a soundscape akin to The Madness’ eccentric spin on ska pop before the quintessential rock lead guitar work starts to blaze through the college radio rock production that makes it impossible not to warm to the outfit and their no prisoners held approach to lyricism.

Shotgun Waltz made it definitively clear that they wouldn’t be blowing up balloons for the wallowers in their circles. Instead, the pity partyers are mercilessly derided for their tunnel-vision naval-gazing as the ultimate reminder that self-disgust is still self-obsession is laid out across the exhilarating rhythms.

With echoes of new wave indie jangling through the release which never lets go of its Americana twang, the energy in Pity Party is riotously infectious, which bodes incredibly well for the Boston-based artist’s upcoming LP, which is expected to drop in April 2024.

Grab your invitation to the Pity Party by heading over to Bandcamp where you can stream or purchase the single, which was officially released on January 22^nd.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Story of Haunting Guilt and Remorse: Boston’s Shotgun Waltz begs for forgiveness on the blood-on-my-hands ‘Ghost Train’

Posted on 8 September 2021

Shifting Gears by Shotgun Waltz

Taken off their July release all about living in the here and now called ‘Shifting Gears‘, Shotgun Waltz ride in with a reflective mood to that fateful day which took away a soul who should still be here on ‘Ghost Train‘.

Shotgun Waltz is a Boston, Massachusetts-based indie alt-rock roots four-piece band. They are a group that have a world class sound that has been fine tuned from many years perfecting their craft, as they combine like classic wine to make that specially flavored type of energy.

”The fresh, energetic nature of Jim DeTore’s songs is reinforced by a highly capable veteran lineup featuring the arrangements of former Leonard Cohen touring guitarist Bob Metzger, as well as two veteran Boston musicians: former Lines drummer Rick Weden and Pete Abajoli from Penny Outlaw, The Melatonins and formerly Superlow.” ~ Shotgun Waltz

With a startling message which strikes right in your knotted stomach as you imagine the emotional toll this has taken after all these years of guilt – we are placed into a message of redemption – that is splendidly sung with such determination. There is much to admire here, as the band are on top form and show us their world class ability.

‘Ghost Train‘ from the Boston-based indie alt-rock roots four-piece act Shotgun Waltz, is the story of wishing that you could have that moment back which changed everything. Your mind goes back to the time the accident happened, as you beg for forgiveness and try to make amends in any way possible.

Performed with a real edge and a terrific soundscape, this is one of the most honest tracks you will hear all year.

Check out the Bandcamp link for this new single and see more news on his IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen