Young Man in a Hurry

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Sally Blood

Young Man in a Hurry

press release: $12 ($8 adv.).

Chicago's indie rock four-piece Young Man In A Hurry have announced their debut full-length Jarvis to be released March 27 independently. The album was produced and mixed by Brian Deck (Counting Crows, Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine) and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound (Bob Dylan, The National, The War on Drugs). The band will tour the Midwest and East Coast this spring, including New York City at Mercury Lounge on April 13. Dates are detailed below, more to be announced.

On the first single "Give Me Patience" released today, Matt Baron's endearingly wobbled speak-sing recalls the likes of David Berman, radiant with rare sincerity. Gently, he steers his semi-psychedelic lyrics across an emotive current of stirring, cinematic indie rock, more closely aligned with The National or Arcade Fire, and bright bits of David Byrne-esque synths. It's a darkly sparkling sonic expression of one universal need — that for patience.

Baron says, "I was on a Spanish-immersion fellowship when I wrote this song, staying in a bungalow in the Amazon jungle for a week without Wi-Fi. I bought a guitar on the mainland for $40 just before taking a ferry to the inner jungle. Not having internet or other worldly distractions left me entirely alone with my thoughts and the guitar. This song poured out in a few short minutes, about wanting things to be different even though I worked so hard to get to where I was at that moment. Though so much in my life has changed, the central message of the song’s refrain applies to me as much today as ever."

Young Man In A Hurry sprung from a friendship between songwriter and frontman Matt Baron and drummer Meyer Horn. The project evolved into a full-fledged four-piece after inviting bassist Nick Harris and cellist Teddy Rankin-Parker to round out the group. Their debut album features a vibrant meld of Chicago's best musicians and guest stars spanning David Vandervelde (Father John Misty), Jon Graboff (Willie Nelson, Norah Jones), Ryan Keberle (David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent), Sima Cunningham (Jeff Tweedy, Chance The Rapper, Ohmme), and more. Lead guitarist David Taylor is the band’s newest addition and joins them on tour.

Brian Deck says of working with Young Man In A Hurry, "As I spoke with Matt and started rehearsing with his band, it became clear that something special could come of this project. His lyrics were impressionistic but not vague, kind of psychedelic but grounded. His song craft is traditional but a little askew and his influences were obviously varied and interesting.  I am very proud of all of us who helped make this record so beautiful and powerful and compelling. I hope you enjoy it and that it reveals new things with each listen."

The album is named Jarvis after a man Baron calls "the kindest person I've ever met" and the owner of his 120-year-old residence. "He bought the house in the 90's when the area was skid row. Now, Google Chicago and million dollar condos are a stone’s throw from his front door. He's cool without trying to be, in evergreen ways like his unchanging interests in classical music (he only listens to WFMT), quality shoes, 501s, Hermès ties, and bacon." For Young Man In A Hurry, Jarvis is a real person and friend, as well as an infinite symbol of unconditional love, timelessness, and unfazed joy — themes naturally central to a record now his namesake.