It seemed dead in the water. Home-produced and gradually assembled over the last 18 months, the release of Polar Plunging marks a breakthrough moment for Nora Knox as her most cohesive collection of songs to date. She spent much of her last two years at SUNY Purchase providing drums for punk projects (Bushies, Kale Chyps) and studying literature, quietly writing songs for herself. After entirely self-producing her last few releases, her songs are given new life by the sturdy support of her backing band. The snappy 4-song collection, featuring Wendy Kya on bass and Nick Dinelli on drums, was engineered and recorded live over a hurried March 2020 weekend by Wendy in Nick’s basement—a close-knit operation. The resulting songs place you right back in that room with them, laughing between tracks. These songs explore all kinds of connections, from the all-too-close to the want-to-be-closer. With every left turn reveals another confession: “Every time we’re together, you’re in trouble again,” she sings on Old Best Friend, begging for an end to unhealthy cycles over unresolved feelings and shifting chords. The title track unfolds from a minimal, slow-burning groove into a burst of confidence, belting “I’m never on my own, I feel so overexposed.” Now settled in Queens, Nora’s more than ready to share these songs with the world, to play them live, to let them breathe.
credits
released October 27, 2021
Written by Nora Knox
Side A performed by:
Nora Knox on guitar, vocals
Nick Dinelli on drums
Wendy Kya on bass
Produced by Wendy and Nora
Recorded at 12 Walnut Studios
Vocals produced by SACRVMENT and Wendy
Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Wendy Kya
Side B Performed and Produced by Nora Knox
Mastered by Wendy Kya
Cover art by Vin Rauccio
SPECIAL THANKS:
Kevin Knox, Wendy Kya, Kevin Wingertzahn, KC McCarthy, Shannon Hanna, Vik Zoeller, Vin Rauccio, Quinn Reynolds, Leo Frampton, Lex Alston, Mom & Dad, The Dinelli Household, the Stood, anyone who’s ever booked me, every band and musician we’ve played with, every audience member, every listener, every friend and who’s supported me and my silly little dreams time and time again. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. It means the world to me.
Iowa-via-New Jersey bassist and songwriter works through alienation and helplessness through surging, introspective indie rock. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 13, 2022