by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
The story of Tiny Wine goes that Chri Milton and Vertro Ubretl wanted to make music that was nostalgic for a time when things were still fun. It’s a simple idea, but it’s one we can all embrace. Life before the pandemic, before the rat race, before stress… simpler times. Those times for the New Hampshire duo (who both play in Greed Island as well) were the ones growing up in the 90’s, listening to tapes on their parent’s cassette decks, and later coming to age with artists that embraced the tape sound, musicians like Smog, Daniel Johnston, and Guided By Voices. They’ve transferred those influences into their debut EP, Archer, due out December 22nd via Salty Speakers (Rick Rude, Big Mess, Kiss Concert) and Tiny Room Records (Sleepies, Astral Swans, Karl Blau).
“Leaves,” the second single released from the EP makes good on the tape reverence. it sounds warped and faded, rippling from another time with lo-fi beauty. There’s a backward ambiance to it, with just the voices, sparse guitar, and the simple crack of the rhythm holding it together like homemade glue. It’s a dreamy song that pulls on those themes of nostalgia. The band work a nice buzzing guitar riff and a catchy whistled melody for a bit of texture as things crackle to a close.