GROUND LOOPS

Current

EP: When A Stoppable Force Meets A Movable Object
Released: 1/5/24

Past

EP: Ground Loops
Released: 9/4/20

Single: “They Weren’t Made to Last”
Released: 8/14/20

Label: Rue Defense
Genre: Synth Rock
Influences: Can, Yo la Tengo, Shy Layers, Neu
Location: Tacoma, WA

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When A Stoppable Force Meets A Movable Object

(EP-Released 1/5/24)

They Weren’t Made to Last

(Single-Released 8/14/20)

Ground Loops (EP)

(EP-Released 9/4/20)

Press Contact: Graham Bell
253.948.7647
whoisruedefense@gmail.com

Booking Agent: TC Brownell
thomascbrownell@gmail.com

PRESS:
Various Small Flames (Weekly Listening)
Various Small Flames (Single Premiere)

Austin Town Hall (EP Premiere)

(Photo Credit: Paige Sandilands)

CURRENT RELEASE:

The sophomore EP from T.C. Brownell's Ground Loops, When A Stoppable Force Meets A Movable Object, sees the multi-instrumentalist crafting synthy compositions with deceptively poignant lyrics backed by his signature compelling bass work. Moving back to the Pacific Northwest, Brownell mines that region’s artistic heritage and tempers some of the urban edge of the East Coast with a mossy coating of lush new sounds.

Side note: Yuuki Matthews (The Shins, Deep Sea Diver) mixed and added some production touches to this EP.

BIO:

The solo project of TC Brownell (former Wild Pink, Dead Painters), Ground Loops thrives on minimal arrangements and a knack for letting each sound breathe and grow in its own right. Primarily known as a bassist in his other bands, Brownell began branching out by experimenting with the world of synthesis. “It’s been a whole new world of creativity for me trying to learn to stop playing so much and let the sound design do the heavy lifting,” he noted. Trading loud practice spaces for headphones and a home studio as he adjusted to parenthood in 2020, Brownell learned to be patient with his compositions and to come back later to finish a take. Adding to this, the extended period of quarantine in NYC and around the country shifted the artistic process away from live collaboration toward self-editing and reflection. These themes of rumination on the past and thoughts of losing touch as the years progress show themselves in his lyrics. The debut EP from Ground Loops was recorded at Brownell’s home studio, mixed by Connor Hanwick, and mastered by Carl Saff. Its live component (upon the return of such things) will include Dan Keegan on drums.

PREVIOUS RELEASE:

I DON’T THINK HE REMEMBERS
The last track on Ground Loops’ debut EP, “I Don’t Think He Remembers” started as a rumination on someone Brownell knew long ago, but quickly expanded into a more general thought on a variety of people in his past. Thinking about everyone we’ve had as part of our lives, and how some grow closer and others detach completely, acts a central theme to which the song latches. At the end, Brownell notes, it became about everyone he’s lost touch with over the years, but he also sees himself mirrored in these long-lost acquaintances.

THEY WEREN’T MADE TO LAST

The first single from Ground Loops’ debut EP, “They Weren’t Made to Last” focuses on coming to grips with getting older and dealing with the various pitfalls that are inevitably part of the process. Though the message is somewhat melancholic, and sets the stage for similar reveries on childhood and friendship throughout the remaining tracks, a triumphant melody at the end lets in a bit of hope for the future. A straightforward but densely textured undercurrent is punctuated by Brownell’s subdued vocal delivery and bursts of sparkling synthesizer.