Photo Credit: Mike Comite
Old Best Friend and their “grandiose” (Philly.com) sound are self-releasing their debut album, Living Alone on the final Tuesday release date of June 30. The sound of “a talented guy with a guitar sans bullsh**” (Brokelyn), Old Best Friend feels like a well-worn book or human nostalgia; after the album’s “King Of Nowhere” quietly picked up blog steam, the band is streaming the Weezer-like “Pretty Sure” today: http://oldbestfriend.bandcamp.com/track/pretty-sure
Old Best Friend is singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Comite, who some may recognize as YouTube star Julia Nunes‘ bandmate, having appeared with her at Bonnaroo and on Conan. With encouragement from Nunes, Comite turned his focus towards a heavier, story-driven songwriting style, first with his debut EP Keep In Touch and now his first full-lengthLiving Alone.
On the new album, “King of Nowhere” finds Comite making the best of a “sh** motel”, while “Pretty Sure” is an assuagement of guilt packaged with a pop hook. “Trepidation” describes a fully dedicated yet not-quite-helpful companion through homely harmonies and stuttered tensions. Across the whole opus, Comite weaves his voice across a field of layered guitars and gritty but singing bass with diary-worthy lyrics.
His first work, Keep In Touch, was released February 3, 2012 and is available on Old Best Friend’s Bandcamp at http://oldbestfriend.bandcamp.com. Under The Gun Review said the five song collection was “top-tier [lyricism and] phenomenal vocal melodies… laid on a bed of comforting and exciting instrumentals… a perfect companion”; done on his own with no industry backing, both releases feature Comite on a multitude of instruments, including vocals, guitar, bass, organ, mandolin, trumpet, and more. With a New York City show set for Arlene’s Grocery on July 9 and more touring on the horizon, the live act is rounded out by NPR-featured and open-handed righty Matt Sokol on drums and Eric Thorfinnson from progressive metal band Autocatalytica on guitar.
Mike Comite is your Old Best Friend.