Cub Sport Finds ‘Jesus at the Gay Bar’ in a Moment of Musical Ascendance
It's no secret; we love Cub Sport. Few groups have taken and held onto our interest over such a period of time, and nowhere does this sentiment ring more apparent than witnessing the evolution of sound present in the Australian-based group's latest album, Jesus at the Gay Bar.
Fittingly the first track, "Always Got The Love," imbues a waking spirit, emerging as a gorgeous piano-based pop moment that showcases Tim Nelson’s voice in a club love letter that might be the crucible as to why it's so easy to obsess over this band. While the band has obviously evolved from its roots in indie rock, lead vocalist Nelson has shepherded the project along with its constant bandmates Zoe David, Sam Netterfield, and Dan Puussari into a place that feels like the culmination of a great friendship—an all-knowing home where one can meter out new music as earlier fame, follies, and fulfillment filters into a warm musical hug.
The easy confidence of Jesus at the Gay Bar is actually rooted in the vacuous state of the world during the pandemic, when Nelson, as the principal songwriting architect, was like everyone stuck at home, separated not just from friends and family but from the energy of live performances. That absence was one of the conditions that whisked the tempo and cadence of the Cub Sport sound—a direct, conscious reaction to filling the void of lost interaction, the call and response of no longer being able to tour. Embracing the freedom of no deadlines, the pandemic gap year was a creative bounty for Nelson, writing hundreds of songs, willing to experiment in any direction and “sift through the bits that are impactful.” Aided by a slew of Melbourne producers, the puzzle of the album slowly developed, a nonlinear story of emotions, celebration, and appreciation.
The album title is derived from a poem by Jay Hulme, and the spirt of the sweaty dance-based allegory is a perfect summation of album's musical journey. A gay dancer, seeing Jesus doing his best disco processional, approaches seeking to be healed of his sin, to be healed of his gayness. Hearing the boy’s pleas he replies, “My beautiful child, there is nothing in this heart of yours, that needs to be healed.” That beautiful epistemological summary of true ascendence, of acceptance, is sonically layered throughout this impressively sublime work, found in the sweet, sticky synth gospel of love and acceptance of "Yaya," aided by friend Mallrat, and the ethereal, heavenly "Keep Me Safe."
The breadth and the raw creative honesty of Jesus at the Gay Bar over its diverse discourse is instantly compelling, akin to a familiar friend reaching out with new stories, wiser happier, and willing to share. And while there is nothing in Cub Sport's heart that needs to be healed, expect this charismatically delectable album to fill your head, heart, and soul.
Jesus At The Gay Bar Tour - North America Summer 2023 Dates
May 31 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
June 1 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA
June 3 - Outloud Festival - West Hollywood, CA
June 4 - TBA - Salt Lake City, UT
June 6 - Café Du Nord - San Francisco, CA
June 8 - Madame Lou’s - Seattle, WA
June 9 - Mission Theatre - Portland, OR
June 10 - Biltmore - Vancouver, BC
June 14 - Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO
June 15 - Encore at Uptown - Kansas City, MO
June 17 - Amsterdam Bar & Hall - St. Paul, MN
June 18 - Beat Kitchen - Chicago, IL
June 20 - The Garrison - Toronto, ON
June 22 - Red Room @ Café 939 - Boston, MA
June 23 - Baby’s All Right - Brooklyn, NY
June 24 - Songbyrd - Washington, DC
June 25 - MilkBoy - Philadelphia, PA
June 27 - The Masquerade (Purgatory) - Atlanta, GA
June 29 - Empire Control Room - Austin, TX
June 30 - White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs) - Houston, TX
July 1 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX
July 3 - Valley Bar - Phoenix, AZ
+more to be announced!
