The Modbeats have released their debut LP titled ‘Ballad of a Starving Artist’, dropping today (September 5th) via Mayleen Records. This is an album that feels right. Released at the right time to an audience that needs to hear a set of songs that go back to the roots of what modern music is, or was, with variety and flair amid catchy hooks and solid riffs. Written by Philip Dunn, the music underscores the live presence and persona of The Modbeats, as well as what to expect from one of their shows.
‘Ballad of a Starving Artist’ is everything I’ve expected from The Modbeats since my interview with Philip Dunn earlier this summer. The buildup was not disappointing. I knew there was going to be a lot of musical variety and lyrical poetry abound throughout, but what surprised me was some of the directions they took and when. The title track, for example, segways right into a straight rocker in ‘Rocking Chair’. ‘Fairweather Friends’ caused me to contemplate as I tapped my foot. ‘The Passer-Bye’ is a musing play on words as much as it is a theme to a future memory. I could go on, but I don’t want to spoil it.
But what I can’t spoil is that ‘Ballad of a Starving Artist’ is a feast for the ears and a solid thought for a starving mind.
About ‘Ballad of a Starving Artist’
What began in 2023 as a modest plan to record two or three original songs quickly evolved into a full-fledged band and concept album. Written and composed by frontman Philip Dunn, the record was shaped around the titular track, originally inspired by a friend pursuing a career in film in Los Angeles, and grew into something far more expansive. “A kind of defiance in the face of so many obstacles—creative, personal, societal—became the heartbeat of the album. And the more I listened back, the more I found myself in these songs too.” From the jangly heartbreak of “Fairweather Friends” to the stomping glam of “Hold Me Roll Me” and the philosophical haze of “The Passers-Bye,” Ballad of a Starving Artist threads together stories of hope, disillusionment, youthful escape, and artistic identity. The track “Frankie,” a cinematic rock ’n’ roll joyride drenched in retro surf energy, serves as the final single before the album’s release and captures the carefree rebellion that underscores much of the band’s sound. Meanwhile, “The Setting Sons” offers Eastern-tinged textures and a power-pop punch, evoking icons like Jeff Beck and The Jam while reflecting on the madness of modernity. Driven by a central question: Is there still room for real music and great art in today’s world? The record offers no easy answers. Instead, it invites listeners to dance, question, and feel something real. “In the lateness of the hour, some still yearn for the pure sonic bliss of rock n roll,” Dunn muses. “We’re just here to turn it up loud and pose the questions.”
Throughout the album, Dunn is joined by Joe Mandia (guitar), Scott Matison (bass), and Fizz (drums), a lineup that channels the rawness of early garage bands with the colorful complexity of classic British invasion rock. The group recorded the album at Lake House Studio in Asbury Park, NJ, with engineering by Nick Semanchik and guest features by Bryan Haring of The Gaslight Anthem. The band notes that while the songs can be played in any order, the album was designed with vinyl in mind, a nod to the analog warmth and storytelling arc of classic LPs.
About The Modbeats
The Modbeats are a high-voltage four-piece made up of Philip Dunn (vocals, guitar), Scott Matison (bass), Fizz (drums), and Joe Mandia (guitar), breathing new life into classic rock through a bold blend of surf, jangle-pop, blues, rockabilly, and psychedelia. Since forming in 2023, the band has carved out a distinct space in the modern rock scene with their music, which has been featured on WXPN’s Power Pop Extravaganza and received praise from outlets like The Philadelphia Inquirer, Rock at Night, Grimy Goods, and Powerpopaholic.
Their electrifying live shows and unmistakable sonic identity also earned them a coveted spot on Music Connection’s Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists and Bands of 2024.
LINKS:
https://linktr.ee/themodbeats
https://www.themodbeats.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wlZPDXxASph9IAgnrqvRC
https://www.facebook.com/themodbeatsband
https://www.instagram.com/themodbeats/
https://www.youtube.com/@TheModbeatsBand
