Jake Ewald channels The National on Slaughter Beach, Dog’s new single “Building the Ark”

Slaughter Beach, Dog | photo by Jess Flynn | courtesy of the artist

As Modern Baseball takes a much-needed, indefinite hiatus following their European tour and cancellation of their US tour earlier this year, co-frontman Jake Ewald has continued his solo project as Slaughter Beach, Dog. Ewald released a successful debut LP Welcome last year, which began as an exercise superimposing his own experiences onto characters he created to break through a struggle with writer’s block and soon turned into a legitimate project with enough material for an LP.

Last week marked the release of lead single, “Building the Ark,” from Slaughter Beach, Dog’s upcoming four-song EP, Motercycle.jpg that is set for a July 14th release on Lame-O Records. The song already hints at a sonic departure for Ewald than Welcome, sounding, oddly enough, much less like Modern Baseball and more like The National, but lyrically remaining on par with the themes of the disillusionment and disconnectedness of youth that he often draws upon.

Along with Modern Baseball bassist Ian Farmer, Slaughter Beach, Dog has also completed an LP that will arrive later in the year. He also announced a solo show at Johnny Brenda’s on Thursday, August 17th; tickets and more information on the 21+ show can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar.