Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice
Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice
Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice

On their debut full length, Gentle Grip, Public Practice reanimate the spirit of late ‘70s New York with their playfully angular brand of no wave-meets-funk and dark disco. While magnetic singer and lyricist Sam York and guitarist and principal sonic architect Vince McClelland (who both played together as members of the meteoric yet short-lived NYC post-punk outfit WALL) take an almost anarchic approach to songwriting, Drew Citron, on synth and bass, and drummer/producer Scott Rosenthal (both previously of Brooklyn indie-pop favorites Beverly) bring a more traditional, pop sensibility to the table. These contrasting styles challenge and complement each other, resulting in a sound that is full of spiraling and exhilarating tensions.

Lyrically, York explores the complexities and contradictions of modern life overtop grooves and choruses that disarmingly open up the doors to self-reflection. “You don’t want to live a lie / But it’s easy / Your house is important / Your car is important / Your shoes are important / Dinner’s important” she sings on “Compromised,” begging the question: how does one balance material desires with the desire to be seen as a good person? Changing pace, the supremely groovy “My Head” is about tuning out the influx of external noise and staying true to your inner creative force.

But whether they are poking holes in commonly held ideas centered around relationships, creativity, or capitalism, Public Practice never lose sight of the fact that they want to have fun, and they want you to have fun too. After all, who needs a soapbox when there’s a dark, sweaty dance floor out there with room on it for all of us?

Tracklist:
1. Moon
2. Cities
3. Disposable
4. Each Other
5. Underneath
6. See You When I Want To
7. My Head
8. Compromised
9. Understanding
10. Leave Me Alone
11. How I Like It
12. Hesitation

Public Practice

Gentle Grip

Wharf Cat
Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice
CD

$12.99

Released 06/26/2020Catalog Number

WCR099cd

Learn more
Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice
LP +

$21.99

exclusive

Golden Yellow Vinyl

Rough Trade Exclusive
Released 06/26/2020Catalog Number

WCR099lp-C2

Learn more
Public Practice

Gentle Grip

Wharf Cat
Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice
CD

$12.99

Released 06/26/2020Catalog Number

WCR099cd

Learn more
Album artwork for Gentle Grip by Public Practice
LP +

$21.99

exclusive

Golden Yellow Vinyl

Rough Trade Exclusive
Released 06/26/2020Catalog Number

WCR099lp-C2

Learn more

On their debut full length, Gentle Grip, Public Practice reanimate the spirit of late ‘70s New York with their playfully angular brand of no wave-meets-funk and dark disco. While magnetic singer and lyricist Sam York and guitarist and principal sonic architect Vince McClelland (who both played together as members of the meteoric yet short-lived NYC post-punk outfit WALL) take an almost anarchic approach to songwriting, Drew Citron, on synth and bass, and drummer/producer Scott Rosenthal (both previously of Brooklyn indie-pop favorites Beverly) bring a more traditional, pop sensibility to the table. These contrasting styles challenge and complement each other, resulting in a sound that is full of spiraling and exhilarating tensions.

Lyrically, York explores the complexities and contradictions of modern life overtop grooves and choruses that disarmingly open up the doors to self-reflection. “You don’t want to live a lie / But it’s easy / Your house is important / Your car is important / Your shoes are important / Dinner’s important” she sings on “Compromised,” begging the question: how does one balance material desires with the desire to be seen as a good person? Changing pace, the supremely groovy “My Head” is about tuning out the influx of external noise and staying true to your inner creative force.

But whether they are poking holes in commonly held ideas centered around relationships, creativity, or capitalism, Public Practice never lose sight of the fact that they want to have fun, and they want you to have fun too. After all, who needs a soapbox when there’s a dark, sweaty dance floor out there with room on it for all of us?

Tracklist:
1. Moon
2. Cities
3. Disposable
4. Each Other
5. Underneath
6. See You When I Want To
7. My Head
8. Compromised
9. Understanding
10. Leave Me Alone
11. How I Like It
12. Hesitation