This story is featured in CityBeat’s Feb. 7 print edition.
On Feb. 16, legendary local band, Fairmount Girls, will release their much anticipated new album Carnival on the Inside. And on Saturday, Feb. 17, this rocking collection of songs, which has been simmering in the band’s artistic cauldron since 2019, will be cast upon their eager and loyal followers, on spell-like green swirling vinyl, at the vinyl release show at MOTR Pub in downtown Cincinnati. The band are super stoked to share not only their new music but their new sonic approach. With a sound that’s a bit more aggressive than what they’ve done in the past, Fairmount Girls has created a body of work that’s full of angst and raw energy, a sound that will electrify the listener, and keep the record on high rotation. Known for their quirky punk songs, Fairmount Girls found themselves wanting to explore alternative approaches to music making. So, when they opened themselves up to new ideas, and began experimenting with new sounds, after a while they found themselves gravitating towards a heavier, more driven style.
A few years back, with several new songs added to their arsenal, most of them written in the band’s long standing warehouse gallery practice space, The Sprout House, and a few other selections completed in About Space, the Northside storage unit where many local bands practice, Fairmount Girls began discussions on where the band should record these new songs, and who they’d like to produce them. The Lodge, in Dayton, Ky., a converted Masonic Lodge, ended up being the band’s choice. With its huge Freemason meeting room and overall vintage vibe, the band felt it was the perfect space for them to bring their new songs to life. When talk of a producer began, it was seasoned pro John Hoffman that caught the band’s attention. At a Fairmount Girls show, not long before the band wanted to begin recording, Hoffman approached the group, and in their conversation John compared the band’s sound to the New Zealand band The Clean. The similarities John heard between the two groups (the short, poppy sound and the presence of the farfisa organ [Melissa Fairmount’s signature instrument]) quickly indicated to the band that Hoffman was the frontrunner for the job. Then, with other Hoffman fans like local band Wussy singing his praises, and learning of his highly sought out work at The Lodge, along with his famed history with Cincinnati’s iconic studio, Ultrasuede, Fairmount Girls decided Hoffman was the perfect producer to enlist.
The name of Fairmount Girls’ new album, Carnival on the Inside, was taken from a conversational quote by Jane McBrain, guitarist for the band. In a group discussion, Jane, in speaking about her nonchalant delivery and her zest for wearing black all the time, said, “I wear my carnival on the inside.” The band felt this statement summed up what the record was about, and decided Carnival on the Inside would not only be a catchy title, but an appropriate and fitting one as well. With songs like “Ides of March” (the first single from the album, available Feb. 9), which reflects on loss, hopefulness and rebirth from pain, and “Heart Attack,” a homage to glam rock, Carnival on the Inside is a tour de force, taking the listener on a heart-pounding journey.
The album photos, shot by Merrilee Luke-Ebbleler, were taken during the unforgettable month of March in 2020. “We literally took the photos the day they declared lockdown,” Dana Hamblen tells CityBeat. “It was a creepy gray day at a former funeral home, which is now Wiedemann Brewery.” Dana adds, “It was a great vibe!” The somber space along with Merrilee’s photo style gives the animal characters the band members portray in the record’s artwork a creepy, Kubrick-type surrealism, visually setting the tone of the album.
Fairmount Girls, with Jane McBrain on black guitar, Melissa Fairmount on farfisa sport organ, Dana Hamblen on champagne sparkle drums and Diana Vakharia on music man bass (they are joined on occasion by Chris Schadler and Chris Fairmount), have been a Cincinnati favorite for over a decade. With quirky, melodic, noisy guitar hooks, trade-off vocal harmonies and signature farfisa organ drone, the Fairmount Girls’ sound is unique and instantly recognizable. Drawing inspiration from artists like Stereolab, Wolverton and the Breeders, the band have created an extensive catalog of singular songs over the years, and continues to build and evolve with Carnival on the Inside.
Live shows are just as unique as their studio music. The band prides themselves on giving their audience a fun and unforgettable experience. Quirky props, outfit themes and even yummy baked goods are all elements the group brings to every performance, giving their loyal and ever-growing fan base an event they won’t soon forget. Local and regional venues have hosted Fairmount Girls as headliners over the years, which has gained them fans all over, from Cincinnati to neighboring cities like Detroit. Though playing shows close to home has been their main focus, touring in neighboring states has also helped them build and maintain a large following. But headlining their own events isn’t only what’s garnered attention for the band. Fairmount Girls have opened for iconic bands like Guided by Voices and rock superstar Jack White. It’s rubbing shoulders with music legends, releasing rock and punk masterpieces and delivering epic yet intimate local shows for many years that make Fairmount Girls Cincinnati rock royalty.
Fairmount Girls perform at MOTR Pub on Feb. 17 at 9:30 p.m. Info: motrpub.com.
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This article appears in Jan 24 – Feb 6, 2024.
