Raleigh-based alt-pop duo Waking April – comprised of Bethany and Alex McKee – is set to release their debut album, Fear of Failure, this fall via Polychromatic Records.
The album’s lead single “Mile High,” which came out late last month, explores the complicated highs and lows of love through a complex blend of synthy phrasing and vulnerable lyrics. Alex describes the evocative soundscape as “a buzzy weird combo of glitchy goodness.”
The duo – who are both classically-trained pianists – often addresses such subjects as mental health and religion in their lyrics throughout the album.
“Alex was diagnosed bipolar, and I struggle with chronic depression,” said vocalist/lyricist Bethany in a statement. “Religion had a huge impact on our upbringings and this album reflects our growth out of unhealthy things that don’t work for us anymore. I hope that describing our experiences is helpful to people dealing with similar things, to know that there’s someone who can relate.”
Ahead of Fear of Failure‘s release, Waking April is hitting the road on a tour that begins in August in Athens, GA and concludes in Cary, NC on Nov. 2.
Click here to stream “Mile High” and check out a full list of tour dates below. More information can be found at Wakingapril.com.
Waking April Tour Dates
Aug. 8 – Athens GA – Buvez
Aug. 10 – Charlotte NC – Petra’s
Aug. 16 – Columbia SC – New Brookland Tavern
Aug. 24 – Raleigh/Durham NC Sofar Sounds
Aug. 30 – Nashville TN – The East Room
Sept. 7 – Raleigh NC Ruby Deluxe (Hopscotch Fest day-party)
Oct. 18 – Raleigh NC – NC State Fair
Nov. 2 – Cary NC – Bond Brothers Eastside