Chick Blundy & the Tryin’ Times have officially arrived with ‘Blame It On The Borealis’, a tight 10-track collection that strikes a fine balance between high-energy honky-tonk stompers and tender reflections on human connection.
Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, the four-piece—comprising Zac Conrad on vocals and guitar, Franz Schuck on lead guitar, Travis Bronx on bass, and Daniel Sweeney on drums—channel the spirit of classic 1960s and 70s country, effortlessly wrapping it in a raw, rock ’n’ roll edge they aptly label "cactus jam".
The title track anchors the record, inspired by the surreal sight of the northern lights glowing red over Arizona’s saguaro-dotted hills. That striking visual backdrop sets the scene for a light-hearted story about working up the courage to chat to a stranger when your pulse is racing. From there, the album moves fluidly between distinct emotional gears. Upbeat anthems give way to heavier moments, yet the band’s warm rhythm section, ringing acoustic layers, and sweet pedal steel lines ensure the record never loses its cohesive groove.
Reflecting on the record's underlying themes, the band share, "This album is based directly and indirectly off of my personal experiences with love and heartbreak. Often exploring or expanding on specific emotions or feelings that arise during the process. While some songs (like ‘Break it in Two’ and ‘high horse’ in particular) take a more playful approach to loss, other songs (like ‘Way a Good Heart Dies’ and ‘What am I to Say’) take a more direct and heavy approach. But then, of course, there's the feel good, falling-in-love tunes that remind us that it's all still worth the risk!”
The album is an unpretentious, genuinely fun debut designed for wide-open roads and packed tavern dancefloors alike. Speaking on the driving force behind the music, Conrad notes, "My main motivation for writing these tunes was to get people dancin' since those are the country songs that I've always liked to hear. But I also hope folks are able to relate with my experiences and find connections to their own as we all spin through this age-old spiral of love and loss.”
Keep your eyes on this desert outfit on Instagram, Bandcamp, and YouTube to catch their next move.
