altopalo and Bartees Strange Join Forces For the Self-Diss Track "Love That 4 You"
Unanimity is rare, a condition often wrongly thought to be utopian or mitigating individuality, but often it is about a process, not direction. In altopalo, the uber-talented band out of NYC, composed of lead singer Rahm Silverglade, guitarist Mike Haldeman, bassist Jesse Bielenberg, and drummer Dillon Treacy, the wide range of influences and talents are obvious, so much so that at first glance any unanimity seems impossible. But in speaking with these genuine creative souls, purposeful and deliberate in their shared “sense of adventurousness," the journey is a true measure of success.
The decade-plus of friendship, emotional vulnerability, and patience is what not only binds altopalo so tightly together, but the knowledge that “being in a band is fucking hard” adds to what makes their music so intelligently impassioned. It is reasonable to assume that near-miracle of agreement on the "how," instead of the "what," makes their latest effort, “love that 4 you," a self-described “diss track to ourselves,” so promising and poignant.
"love that 4 u" itself is that wonderful collage of its participants: a mosaic of melodies bordering on a lullaby, energy wound and unbound in the drums, and a thread of guitar and horn haunting the effort as the lyrics (the diss) is unfurled gently then punctuated by a stupendous verse courtesy of Bartees Stange. The video, directed by POND creative is a true metaphoric study of their process; unique personalities, colors, and faces split in contrast, never commingling or losing their 360-degree perspective. Spliced and stitched together but never composing the material native to each member, again a sign of unanimity not in design but in process.
altopalo represents the gears and grease of the music community. Known for their instrumental talents, they are the band you pick at when needing to compile your touring effort, and they happily comply, piling on good deed after good deed to keep the culture moving forward. And that sentiment is best reflected in how their first feature artist, Bartees Strange described his request to contribute, “I was really excited to contribute to this song because I believe in altopalo so much. They’re so bril. Also - I know how much they have been through as a band. So contributing a verse to a song that’s really about their journey to become closer was a gift.”
Watch the "love that 4 u" video below:
