The Key Studio Sessions: Exmaid

Let’s think back to March: a lifetime away, it feels at this point.

New Jersey post-punk duo Exmaid had just released their terrific second LP Sorcery via their own label Bangs and Burns. It took the band’s gripping aesthetic — jagged goth-rock riffs, punchy hooks, and a touch of occult imagery — and fused it with an introspective, personal perspective from singer and primary songwriter Miranda Taylor.

The album had been out for a few weeks; the band had just played an album release gig at New Brunswick’s In The West studio, and were looking ahead to Philly appearances in the spring with Yarrow and others. And then the COVID-19 lockdown happened.

Thankfully, on March 10th — the Tuesday before life in Philadelphia as we knew it changed — Taylor and bandmate Larry Ragone stopped by WXPN to record a fired-up Key Studio Session, making them the final band to use our performance space before it was temporarily decommissioned.

Exmaid debuted in 2018 as a four-piece, with Taylor’s songwriting backed by the aggressively loud Philly punk trio Psychic Teens — Ragone’s band. Though Sorcery was recorded with bandmates Dave Cherasaro on drums and Joe DeCarolis on bass, Exmaid pared down to a duo for the release of the album, delivering a twin-guitar attack over a robust sampler backing, swirling around Taylor’s reflections on insecurity (“Prez”), identity (“Moldy”), and resilience (“Meow”).

Since the album release, Exmaid has managed to stay relatively active musically through writing new material, recording, and playing livestreams — like this recent Sonny & Cher Halloween Special on IGTV.

They’ve also turned to other projects. Taylor has become a reiki master practicing both safe in-person and virtual energy healing (more on that at her Instagram, @randertaylor). She’s also begun developing essential oils, including DARK ENTRIES, a Bauhaus-inspired scent. Ragone has taken to selling records on Discogs; check out his page at Love Buzz Shop.

Listen to Exmaid’s Key Studio Session below, grab a vinyl of Sorcery over at Bandcamp (there are still a few translucent blue vinyl copies remaining), and keep up with the band’s activities on Instagram and Facebook.