Video Premiere: Spanish Love Songs – “Bellyache”
Posted: by The Editor
The Alternative is pleased to bring forth the music video premiere of “Bellyache” by Spanish Love Songs. The song’s rolling pace is moved along thanks to the bass and drum, coordinating a steady choreograph of head nods till the first explosion of guitars crash the party. The dire vocals yelling the emotionally charged lyrics gives the song a urgent edge, utilizing sweeping leads to keep melodies full of intensity. The final minute of the song is a perfect use of dynamics and syncopation, coming to a seismic outro. The song “Bellyache” is off of the upcoming Spanish Love Songs record, Schmaltz, out via A-F Records on March 30th.
“‘Bellyache’ is a song about coming to terms with unhappiness. It’s anchored by descriptions of my own bleak moments, but at its core, it’s about that moment of realization that, no matter what burden you’re living with (be it depression, anxiety, etc…) things probably aren’t going to change, and that’s okay. There’s relief in knowing, since it means you’re not broken, you’re just you.
This was the first song we wrote for the album, and was the first set of lyrics I wrote after only been writing about two major breakups. It felt right to finally turn inward, instead of pointing fingers. And as soon as I played the chorus for the rest of the band, we knew we had a direction and a focus for the album. We didn’t change much from the first demo I played, and it’s really the emotional centerpiece of schmaltz.” –Dylan Slocum
Spanish Love Songs is a five piece punk band based in Los Angeles, CA. They formed in 2014 after the demise of a previous band and a chance Craiglist post about lonely people looking to go to punk shows. Their sound combines the energy of drunken bar shows with the immediacy of intimate, lived-in lyrics.
Self released in 2015 (and later reissued on Wiretap Records), their first album, Giant Sings the Blues, chronicles singer Dylan Slocum’s mid-twenties through songs about apathy, anxiety, and a slowly disintegrating marriage, all told over fast drums and rousing power chords.
They are currently prepping for the release of their second album on A-F Records (US) & Uncle M Records (UK/EU). The band has spent the past two years expanding their sound both musically and lyrically, as evidenced by the songs on Schmaltz. More anthemic than ever, the band confidently tears through these songs in which Slocum turns his attention inward, trying to find positivity and self-acceptance in a world that doesn’t always feel like home.
It’s new territory for the band of so-called grouch punks, as they try to grow into the best version of the band (& themselves). They’ll try to enjoy it.
Tour Dates:
03/16 – Costa Mesa, CA – Musink Fest
04/11 – Las Vegas, NV – Evel Pie
04/12 – Denver, CO – Streets Of London
04/13 – Kansas City, MO – The Rino
04/14 – Chicago, IL – Downstairs (At Sub-T)
04/15 – Kalamazoo, MI – Shakespeare’s Pub
04/16 – Cleveland, OH – Now That’s Class
04/17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Cattivo
04/18 – Toronto, ON – Baby G
04/19 – Montreal, QC – L’esco
04/20 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
04/21 – Brooklyn, NY – Cellar Lounge
04/22 – Boston, MA – O’Brien’s Pub
04/25 – Koln, DE – Stereo Wonderland
04/26 – Breda, NL – Claiming The Crown
04/27 – Munster, DE – Uncle M Fest
04/28 – Berlin, DE – Cassiopeia
04/29 – Braunschweig, DE – B58
04/30 – Hamburg, DE – Gangeviertel
05/01 – Prague, CZ – Rock Cafe
05/02 – Wiener Neustadt, AT – Triebwerk
05/03 – Burghausen, DE – Mathilda
05/04 – Montecchio, IT – La Mesa
05/05 – Zurich, CH – Obenuse Fest
05/06 – Koblenz, DE – Circus Maximus
05/07 – Bochum, DE – Rotunde
05/08 – Antwerp, BE – Boukenborgh
05/10 – Lancaster, PA – Lizard Lounge
05/11 – Washington, DC – The Pinch
05/12 – Charlotte, NC – Lunchbox Records
05/13 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
05/15 – Austin, TX – The Mohawk
05/16 – Dallas, TX – Three Links
05/18 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge
05/19 – San Diego, CA – La Escalera Fest
05/20 – Tijuana, MX – La Escalera Fest
