2021 saw former Philadelphia musician Rosali pack up and move to North Carolina. In the thick of it, she wrote most of what would become Bite Down, her forthcoming record with Merge Records, out March 22nd. “I resolved to bite down on the proverbial bullet; sink my teeth into the flesh and bone of being in the world, devouring the obstacles in my path and gloriously savoring all that is on offer — good or bad,” she says of the experience.
In “Rewind,” the album’s first single, you can hear the spirit behind her resolve. “I’m uneasy with thoughts kicking round” Rosali sings, though the calm in her voice suggests she’s since come out the other side. “I would do it all over again (i.e. rewind) knowing the challenges in life are not meant to be disdained, as much as the joys and pleasures are not meant to be the goal,” she says in a press statement.
The same band behind 2021’s No Medium joins Rosali again for Bite Down: David Nance on bass and guitar, James Schroeder on guitar and synth, Kevin Donahue on percussion. Destroyer’s Ted Bois also joined the session on keys.
Rosali and her band support labelmate Mary Timony on tour this spring before branching out on their own headlining run. See all the dates below, including a stop at Johnny Brenda’s on April 13th. For tickets, go to the WXPN Concerts Calendar.