LADY SLOTH Stay Calm on “Head Game”, Announce EP (14 Oct 2022)
LADY SLOTH “Head Game”, Artwork by Anthony Gobeille
LADY SLOTH release their new single “Head Game” available October 14th on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.
Los Angeles-based indie rockers LADY SLOTH share their new single, “Head Game”, set for digital release on October 14th through Trailing Twelve Records. LADY SLOTH is the brainchild of Justina Shandler and Jon Lane, two vets of the underground who have both achieved mainstream success with other acts. The duo continue their slew of releases with the powerful “Head Game” along with the announcement of their forthcoming Forest Behind the Fog EP.
“Head Game” is a modern day ballad about the tricks your mind can play and how to trust in the wisdom of your body. The song opens with woozy synths and glistening keys as vocalist, Justina Shandler, sings about getting older and the new anxieties that have come with it, [“The older I get the more I’m in debt/When I have kids, I don’t wanna tell ‘em that”]. When discussing “Head Game” Shandler went into detail about how her mental health affected the songwriting process.
“We began writing lyrics and melody for ‘Head Game’ by bluntly calling out our real and recent struggle with anxiety and depression while detailing some coping mechanisms we’ve used to make it through.”
Justina Shandler of LADY SLOTH, Photo by Stephanie Gerard
The songwriting of “Head Game” slowly builds in intensity before exploding on the chorus where the band reigns in biting guitars and a blistering drum beat, while Shandler recites a mantra that Lane had used to talk himself down from panic attacks.
“When I pass out my body takes over/When I pass out my body takes over/Remember now it's all just a head game”
Mental health is familiar territory for the still young band, as both of their previous releases “Sugarloaf Mountain Road” and “Fences” have touched on these themes. In their own words, LADY SLOTH has said that their music is about “the bumpy road navigating life” and that a mission statement for the band is making sure their listeners “feel seen.” In keeping with this theme the title of LADY SLOTH’s upcoming debut EP Forest Behind the Fog references a way through these struggles. When discussing the title of the EP, LADY SLOTH had this to say:
“To us, the forest resembles the clarity and freedom of self actualization. The fog resembles all the obstacles in the way... the depression, anxiety, fear, and doubt. In this EP, we acknowledge and explore those obstacles on our way to the beautiful forest”
“Head Game” is out October 14th, 2022 and Forest Behind the Fog releases November 4th 2022 both on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve.
All Songs Written by Justina Shandler And Jonathan Lane
Performed by LADY SLOTH
Lead Vocals, Keyboard, Background Vocals: Justina Shandler
Background Vocals: Jonathan Lane
Drums: Marc Slutsky
Bass, Guitars, Synths, Strings, Production: Sean Gould
Master Engineer: Camilo Silva F
Press Contact: info@trailingtwelve.com
TTR-021
© & ℗ 2022 Trailing Twelve Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.
LADY SLOTH - Head Game
TTR-021
Release Date: 14 Oct 2022
Length: 3:17
BIO
LADY SLOTH is the indie rock project of Los Angeles based singer-songwriter, Justina Shandler, and percussionist/songwriter, Jon Lane.
Growing up on opposite sides of the country (Jon in California and Justina in Virginia) both were big players in their respective scenes. Jon's former band, Uprooted, landed multiple placements with Redbull, and Justina's solo project has a prominent feature on Hulu show Good Trouble as well as a handful of placements on Temptation Island, and one on the Amazon Prime series Forever Summer: Hamptons.
Brought together by a shared love of indie phenoms, Phoebe Bridgers and Dawes, LADY SLOTH was born in a hotel room on vacation in Cambria, California. Jon said to Justina, “Hey we should write a song together.” Several pages of scribbles and one bottle of wine later, their first song was born.
With coverage including Wonderland, Under The Radar, and Ones To Watch, LADY SLOTH tactfully employs blaring guitars and driving rock rhythms to carry their charmingly confessional lyrics, creating a sound all their own.