NICE TRY


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This album is about failure.

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Red Scarves played what would be our final show of 2020 on February 14th. It was an art show/market showcase at The Metro. I remember it felt like a big deal for us. We were hot off the release of our second album, Annuals, in December 2019. I thought 2020 was shaping up to be a bigger and better year for us.

I was wrong. We would not play another show for 18 months.

We were all isolated for a while. We recently lost our rehearsal space and Covid prevented any kind of normal meetups. However, this did not stop us from writing and sharing songs with one another through our group chat.

By September 2020, we found a new (and bigger) rehearsal spot. We masked up and went to work. With no distractions or deadlines, we were galvanized to make our third LP.

For a very bleak year, these were some my favorite memories of 2020.

By the time 2021 rolled around, we had around 18 songs. Over time, we deemed on 14 of them worthy of release. We had no specific idea as to how they would all fit on an album. We would eventually settle on releasing five songs separately which later became the Ghost Hunter EP.

The recording sessions for “LP3” began in June 12th, 2021 at Palisade Studios. The whole experience at Palisade was a performance in itself. All basic tracks were recorded live in the room with each other onto the 16 track tape machine. This was not a method that was foreign to us but 14 songs over three days felt a little like taking the ACT three days in a row. No more than 3-5 takes per song. Complete focus and efficiency was crucial for getting everything recorded and sounding right.

We recorded overdubs, like the brass ensemble on “Lament,” at Shirk Studios in September of 2021. Keyboard overdubs continued at Jamdek Studios February of 2022. Vocals and other overdubs were recorded throughout 2021 in our homes. The record was produced and mixed by Dave Vettraino with additional engineering from Ryan Donlin and Doug Malone. Final mastering was completed by Greg Obis in early 2022 and album artwork/design was completed a few months later by Elijah Montez. They all did marvelous jobs.

The title of the album came about like this:

Braden messaged the Red Scarves group chat at 7:43am on July 9, 2021

“I had a dream that I came to you guys and I wanted to call the album ‘Nice Try’”

I replied later: “Nice Try?”

Ayethaw: “What’s the thought process behind it? I kind of like it but I guess it is a bit simple and maybe not as searchable? But I could be wrong.”

Braden: “All the songs are about how we try and fail (for the most part) but it was good to try in the first place.”

Ayethaw:“Ahhh”

Braden: “It made sense to my dream self at least, then Robby and I were wrestling alligators and baby lions. No joke.”

That name stuck with me. Nice Try. Almost like a powerful, unseen force was taunting us with a low, throaty voice:

“… ha ha ha… nice… try…”

I think it perfectly captured the mood we were in. At the time, It felt like all of the blood, sweat, and tears of the past few years now meant little to nothing. We had dealt with obstacles in the past but this was different. We were starting from scratch again but this time we would be entering a completely changed world. It’s very hard starting over again. It can crush your soul. I think some bands tend to implode from this.

But we didn’t. We found solace and freedom in each other. If this album proves anything about Red Scarves, it’s that we have some sort of weird gravity that keeps us in each other’s orbits. I don’t really know how to describe this bond other than love. We love each other. We love making music together. In a way, Nice Try is monument to that love. Despite all of our failures and shortcomings, we still love each other. We try and fail (for the most part) but it was good to try in the first place because it made us better people. I think that is worth something.

I joined Red Scarves when I was 18 years old. I’m 28 now. I don’t know what the future holds (who does?) but I’m proud we made this record. I’m proud we got to work with so many talented and wonderful people throughout the process of making this record. I’m proud to be in this band. Thank you to our families, peers, and fans for supporting us.

Peace & Love,

Robby Kuntz