We Say…
It’s been over a decade since the release of Cruel Optimist, the debut album from Brooklyn-based songwriter Lauren Denitzio, aka Worriers. The project became their main focus after undergoing open-heart surgery at the age of just 25, which acted as a wake-up call to leave an unhealthy prior project and form a band that could evolve along with them. For their latest project, Trust Your Gut, Lauren decided to live up to the title, when a collaboration with Atom Willar soon evolved from a fun aside into the start of a brand-new Worriers record. Released via Ernest Jenning Record Co back in September, Trust Your Gut was recorded with a string of musicians Lauren admired and was also able to draw the best out of.
A distinctly versatile collection, the genre-hopping songs of Trust Your Gut are drawn together by their collective spirit of forward movement, this is a record of being unapologetically yourself and the journey towards accepting the best and worst of the person you are. Whether it’s The New Pornographers-like orchestral shimmer of Back Yard Garden or the Tracy Chapman-like smoothness of Math, throughout the record, Worriers seem to be searching for meaning, tackling everything from gender expression to heartache into opportunities to explore the self. Particularly wonderful is the piano-led Cloudy and 55, which offers a distinctly New York-flavoured take on Autumnal-melancholy, reflecting on the way a city becomes a part of your backstory and how everything you see has a memory attached to it. An intriguing and enticing collection, Trust Your Gut is a record made by a songwriter clearly overflowing with ideas, evolving their band into new directions and sounding more vital than ever as a result. When Worriers are sounding this good, surely it’s time to stop worrying and just enjoy the moment.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who are Worriers?
Worriers is so many things, namely my songwriting project, a rock band, an indie collective of my friends, and often a very loud party. The band started in Brooklyn but I live in Los Angeles now and have assembled some of my favorite people to help write this new record. I identify as an androgynous queer person and write from that perspective, but Worriers is for everyone.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
I don’t remember what our official first show was but one of the first ones was at a house in Brooklyn where the porch collapsed (no one was hurt!) so we didn’t actually end up playing. We had to carry the drum kit back over crumbled cement. I just remember playing a lot of DIY spaces including Death by Audio and Shea Stadium in Brooklyn (RIP both of those spaces).
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
I’m also a visual artist, but if I don’t sing for an extended period of time I turn into a miserable puddle of a person and no one needs that. It’s a way to connect with people, to find each other, to sing your heart out.
FTR: What can people expect from the Worriers live show?
The thing I’m told most often is that we all look like we’re having a really good time with one another. We just want to have fun together, play loud, and create a safer space for folks to be at a show. All are welcome but it always makes me happy to see so many folks in the FLINTA umbrella hanging out too and being right up front singing along.
FTR: What’s next for Worriers?
Once the album is out we’re going on tour for a couple of months including the US and Canada along with a co-headline tour in England, Scotland and Wales with Paws. There’s more to come, but I’m focused on just getting through those shows!
They Listen To…
Paws – Disenchanted
Come see us on tour with Paws in the UK!
Mediocre – To Know You’re Screwed Is To Know A Lot
This is the song that totally sold me on how catchy Mediocre are.
Kali Masi – Some Friends
I saw them at Fest last year and they’re a phenomenal live band. I’m excited to play some shows with them this fall!
Plosivs – Hit The Breaks
Total supergroup including Atom Willard on drums, who plays on our new record, too.
Trust Your Gut is out now via Ernest Jenning Record Co. For more information on Worriers visit https://www.worriersmusic.com/.
For The Rabbits 