Music Makers

Three Music Thingz with Buttchug 69

We are so back with another rendition of Three Music Thingz, the blogseries where I ask musicians for three thingz that are essential to their music-making.

Today we have Buttchug 69! Originally formed in Columbia, Missouri (and now living all over the U.S.), this three-piece indie rock band—Em Downing on bass and vocals, Loretta Kyle on drums and vocals, and Jonas Weir on guitar and vocals—has been around for over a decade but just put out their debut album, Keep On Rocking For Free In The World, this month. This album is NOT on Spotify. It IS on Subvert, the newish music marketplace that is collectively owned that you should check out (I am member number 673 😃).

My commitment to weirdness means I am basically contractually obligated to listen to an album by a band called Buttchug 69 if it comes across my desk. And good news, it's actually great! A lofi album that hits like the first warm gust of air you experience after you open the door of the way-too-air-conditioned room in which you've been freezing your ass off. (Can you tell it is August when I am writing this? It is August.) Languid high-low vocals and a sludgy guitar tone that massages the brain real nice...Keep On Rocking For Free In The World would pair well with a joint and a soft serve ice cream cone. (Can you tell it is August when I am writing this? It is STILL August.) This is low cortisol rock for a high cortisol world.

Jonas from the band sent over everyone's Three Music Thingz...check 'em out below...

Basements

Midwest basements are the lifeblood of American rock and roll. When we formed BC69 in Columbia, Missouri, there were tons of punk houses with DIY basement spaces. The Hair Hole, The Castle, Diva Haus—those were the places we saw all the bands that inspired us. It was truly a heady time in that sleepy college town where freedom felt free and creativity and fun were the only things that mattered. — Em, Bass

Existential Dread

Writing songs is just something I have to do just to be. If I didn’t experience boilerplate human suffering, I doubt I would have ever written a note. For as long as I can remember, music has been the only thing I’ve found to be pure and beautiful. In elementary school, I learned I could make people laugh by writing a Weird Al-style parody of Britney Spears' "Lucky" (mine was called "Ugly"); in high school, I found out I could channel my heartbreak into terrible songs nobody will ever hear; and with BC69, I discovered you can write songs about whatever: astrology, ghosts, Garfield the cat, whatever. Now, all I can hope for is to create music and situations that inspire others to create and love music as much as I do. Certainly, nobody is paying us to do it. — Jonas, Guitar

Simpatico

It’s the feeling of joy you have when truly connected to something or someone. Whether it’s with your favorite songs that really just hit, a cut you create that you’re really excited and proud of, or when you’re playing with others and everyone is vibing. Simpatico. — Loretta, Drums