Darcy Malone and The Tangle are gearing up to the release of their new EP, Make Me Over, on Friday, May 26. Recorded at Bogalusa, LA’s famed Studio in the Country, the four-song collection marks the band’s first release since their 2016 debut album Still Life (the story behind that album was the subject an OffBeat cover story last year).
Darcy Malone and The Tangle. Photo by Jerry Moran.
While the new release still finds the band delivering its signature blend of funk, soul, roots rock and pop, its title is a reference to the transformations the group has experienced over the past year, including the addition of new lead guitarist John Paul Carmody (South Jones).
“All these songs tell a story of where we are,” says frontwoman Darcy Malone. “I went through my own physical transformation of losing weight, and with that also came an inside transformation of feeling more confident on stage and feeling good in front of these guys who were amazing. And, just finally became comfortable in my own skin as a result from being healthy. Make Me Over is not only about my own makeover. It’s the makeover of the band. With the final addition of JP, we have become this powerful thing that we have been trying to become.”
The EP is anchored by the opening track “Time to Free,” which also serves as the release’s first single. Like much of Make Me Over, the tune maintains the feel of a live rock band while showcasing Malone’s passionate vocals and a healthy dose of saxophone courtesy of Jagon Eldridge. However the release also features an outlier in “Never Wanna See You Alone,” an alternative rock number that finds guitarist Chris Boye handling lead vocal duties.
Make Me Over was recorded and produced by Ben Mumphrey (Pixies, Anders Osborne, The Breeders), who joined the band at Studio in the Country. The EP was then mixed by Richard Dodd (Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, Dixie Chicks’ Not Ready to Make Nice) in Nashville.
“The vibe at Studio in the Country is hauntingly positive,” says drummer Ben Schell. “Kansas recorded Leftoverture there in the summer of 1976. ‘Carry On My Wayward Son’ changed their lives. I have been fortunate to have [Kansas drummer] Phil Ehart as my mentor since 1978. Knowing I was in the same studio in the same drum spot soaking up all of that positive energy was an incredible experience.”
Darcy Malone and The Tangle—whose lineup now includes Malone (lead vocals), Chris Boye (guitar, vocals), Billy Schell (drums), Craig Toomey (bass,vocals) and John Paul Carmody (lead guitar, vocals)—will celebrate Make Me Over and its lead single “Time To Be Free” with a performance at Tipitina’s on Friday, May 26. The show will be part of Tipitina’s Free Fridays summer concert series, so no cover will be required. Darcy Malone and The Tangle will take the stage at 10pm, with Honey Island Swamp Band following at 11:30pm.
