The NJ duo The Front Bottoms have their self-title debut album out on Bar None Records. They play The Note in West Chester on January 25, 2012, and will be here for an XPN Free At noon on Friday, January 6!

There's no real way to pin down the sound of The Front Bottoms, an up-and-coming duo from New Jersey. They self-describe as acoustic, indie pop-punk, but Brian Sella (vocals, guitars) and Mathew Uychich (drums, bullhorn) "like to keep it familiar so that it's not too intimidating, but we always make sure it's not immediately recognizable," as Sella said. The two have known each other since they were in their first decade of life, and they've been making music together almost as long.

The Front Bottoms were officially formed in 2006, and they've just released their official, eponymous debut on Bar/None Records. It's an irreverent and smart release, mostly acoustic guitar and drums, but some indie folk instrumentation as well. The result is inspired in part by Joni Mitchell, probably Bruce Springsteen, and no doubt a long friendship between Sella and Uyich. The Front Bottoms are a young duo to keep an eye on, and their deft balance between comical and emotional is evident on-stage and off.

Don't miss out on this sure-to-be energizing Free at Noon, the first of the New Year. What better way to start it off with one of our latest World Cafe: Next artists?

Website: thefrontbottoms.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/thefrontbottomsmusic
Facebook: facebook.com/thefrontbottoms
Recent Release: The Front Bottoms
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Label: Bar/None Records
Hometown: Bergen County, NJ