Often childlike and bemused but other times hollow and fatalistic, the subgenre salad of Stevie Dinner’s pop has been missing from the Atlanta scene for the last five years. The silence of songwriter and founder Josh Hughes could be attributed to many factors. Music critics love to blame sordid and somber tales of depression and drugs. But to weave such a story would ignore the simple truth that life gets in the way of itself sometimes. Whether the past is dead or gone is irrelevant though, because the new track from a rejuvenated Stevie Dinner is a powerful statement of growth and bedroom pop excellence. On “Cutting It Close,” Ariel Pink chord progressions meet the sultry melancholy of Destroyer and are wrapped in an art-kid motif all grown up.
The tentative, even faltering instrumentation that made Stevie Dinner’s early work so enticing remains, but the glitchy electronic elements have been replaced by a more organic sound — one laden with soothing tape hiss and simple lyrics that bookend instrumental excursions. The main reason for the evolution in style can be traced to 2019, when Steph Rinzler teamed up with Hughes, forming a working relationship that would eventually bloom into love. The multi-instrumentalist helped him rework some old tracks, as well as forge ahead on new sounds. Rinzler’s dynamic skills, as well as their willingness to work tracks to perfection, are apparent on “Cutting It Close,” and will figure prominently on the duo’s upcoming LP True Story, which drops Oct. 23.
With their dreamy new single in tow (available for streaming below), Hughes and Rinzler sat down for a virtual interview to fill in the gaps of the last five years and help us understand what to expect from the new record.
Steph Rinzler (L) and Josh Hughes (R) of Stevie Dinner | Credit: Salim Garcia
It’s been five years since your last release. Why such a long gap?
Josh Hughes: I never stopped making music over the past five years, I just stopped releasing it under this moniker I guess you could say. Hard drugs, mental illness, addiction, and shit like that got in the way. Kicked that shit cold turkey and ya boy is back though.
How did working with Steph alter your approach to songwriting? Do you find yourself thinking about music in a new way?
JH: There is usually a point where I say “Fuck it, I’m so tired of working on this one I’m just gonna print it and ship it.” But Steph is much more of a perfectionist and I think that shows in this new record. Also, we jam really well together. Much respect. I’m excited to write more songs with them.
Steph, what made you want to collaborate with Josh and become a part of Stevie Dinner?
Steph Rinzler: I actually started talking to Josh when I reached out to him on Instagram to see if he wanted to play a show with my solo project, Plant Prophet. He told me he couldn’t play because he didn’t have a backing band, but he came to the show anyway. After my set, he asked if I’d ever want to make music with him sometime. The next day, I went to his house and when we jammed, something just clicked. I’d never really connected creatively with anyone the way that I did with him. That day we started making what would ultimately become True Story. We pretty much spent every waking moment with each other in December finishing it up. That’s when we really fell in love, which strengthened that artistic bond.
Are there any remnants of older songs on the upcoming record or is the material all new?
JH: A lot of the record is comprised of old recordings that I either never got around to finishing or didn’t know how to. When Steph came in, they were kind of that keystone to finishing and publishing these songs, and we were also able to write some new stuff to put on the album as well.
You’ve indicated the new record will be thematically darker and more complex. Can you elaborate on that?
JH: Most of it was written during the shittiest, most fucked up stretch of months I’ve ever experienced. I was living in that storage unit behind Paris on Ponce (not such a bad spot really). [I] kept losing jobs, getting into trouble, just being a real degenerate. Not to say that some of the songs aren’t peaceful and reflective of happy times, though. Some of the songs talk about hope and love. It’s a real mixed bag.
How does “Cutting It Close” fit into the framework of the new LP? What inspired you to write the track?
JH: I guess it’s like the overture to the second act. It’s about how it feels to be completely down and out. Fried, lost, existing on the fringes of society. Being a fuck up, lush, whatever, but having hope that it might get easier. It’s about the fever dream of maybe one day catching a break. It’s funny cause I kinda did. I haven’t had to work since December.
Given the conditions of the pandemic, how do you plan to move forward and promote True Story?
SR: We were supposed to go on a U.S. tour back in May, but that got cancelled because of covid. We plan to do some virtual shows (although it’s kind of tricky without a full backing band), but are planning to reschedule that tour once it’s safe to do so.
Stream “Cutting It Close” below.
More Info
Instagram: @steviedinner
Twitter: @steviedinner1