Yachtclub101
YACHTCLUB101 RELEASES SELF-TITLED ALBUM
Meet Scott Ayers, aka Yachtclub101, who introduces his self-titled album, a 10-track collection of pop, rock, and synth-based music.
Yachtclub101 | Photo: Shannon Tanton
On the one hand, it’s a sad story. On the other hand, it has a happy ending/new beginning.
Scott arrived in Oakland, California in 1996, followed by starting a series of bands, some good, some great: The Lovemakers dropped an album via Interscope, and scored a regional hit with “Prepare for the Fight.” Then came a lengthy dry spell, during which Scott played drums for a Gun Club tribute with Debby Harry and Nick Cave, worked with Blondie’s Chris Stein, did a mashup with 50-Cent, and contributed to many Bay Area recordings.
Eventually, Scott bought a bar in Oakland and built it into a successful business. Enter COVID-19, and it all fell apart. The business is done and over.
That’s the sad part. The happy/new beginning part grew out of doubt about the future, wherein because of asthma, Scott is one of the “at-risk” people newscasters and doctors mention. The specter of COVID brings people to clarity. Scott decided to share his music with the world. His goal is not fame and fortune, rather he wants to inject a little joy into a gloomy world.”
According to Scott, “I don’t give a shit about fame or money and I’ve lived my life happily without either. I imagined every song on the record live as one of the first concerts after the virus has dissipated. That first six months of live shows will be crowds so happy to be literally anywhere it will undoubtedly be a really emotional experience. Being trapped inside the last five months and the everyday fear that you might be in a hospital tomorrow on a ventilator made this record a necessary dream of the future.”
A personal favorite is “No New Friends,” which merges heady synth-pop aromas with the zest of bubble-gum pop – bouncy, bubbly, and fun.
So, Scott, aka Yachtclub101 is doing “3 records in 3 years.” Another way to put it is like this: 30 songs and 21 music videos.
The just-released self-titled album begins with “This Too Will Pass,” opening on gleaming, shimmering colors riding a crunching rhythm topped by throbbing synths. Scott’s voice conjures up hints of Styx’s Dennis DeYoung, a high tenor at once alluring and penetrating.
Standout tracks include “Leave Me Alone,” a synth-pop number full of effervescing colors traveling on retro flavors with the palest of new wave aromas. “One Kiss” rolls out on retro ‘80s coloration blended with psychedelic sonic textures infusing the tune with kaleidoscopic energy.
A personal favorite is “No New Friends,” which merges heady synth-pop aromas with the zest of bubble-gum pop – bouncy, bubbly, and fun. “You Pick The Spot” surges with hefty dance impetus, along with dollops of new wave synth-pop.
The final track, “Last Call,” hums on waves of pulsing tones, while Scott’s evocative voice imbues the lyrics with nostalgia, recalling all the good times with a former lover.
Replete with intoxicating retro washes of color, grand vocals, and contagious rhythms, Yachtclub101 pumps out delicious optimistic music.
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