Carver Commodore
““On the cusp of a new page in history, we’re given refreshingly imaginative rock with conviction, purpose, and craftsmanship. New decade, new life, Tell Me What You Want drips with on-the-floor rock that electrifies on every level and delivers on its promise. This is the kind of rock you ride with. For your safety, let Carver Commodore drive.””
Carver Commodore is an alternative rock band from the modest town of Florence, Alabama. The band is composed of guitarist and vocalist Payton Pruitt, guitarist Phillip Blevins, drummer Noah Freeman, bassist David Smith, and multi-instrumentalist Clayton Christopher. In contrast to the “swampy, soulful sound” that put their hometown on the map, Carver is known for fusing garage, indie, and pop influences into stadium-worthy rock anthems. Modern alt-giants like Cage the Elephant, Jack White, and The Strokes tend to inform Carver’s guitar-laden hooks, recording aesthetics, and signature sticky songcraft.
Founded by Pruitt and Blevins in the fall of 2016, their first single “Stars & Galaxies'' released in April of 2017 to a modest, yet eager audience. Fast forward to 2021, and “Stars & Galaxies” has amassed over one million streams on Spotify alone. Part-time drummer Noah Freeman became a permanent member of the band in late 2017 after several months of touring. In 2018, the group cut their debut record Tell Me What You Want at The Smoakstack in Nashville, Tennessee with engineer/producer Brendan St. Gelais. The record hit the market on October 25th, 2019, and was celebrated with an Audiotree Live Session in Chicago, Illinois. Just like everyone else, nearly all of their 2020 dates were canceled immediately.
Looking to make the most of their newfound time off, they entered the studio with Brendan St. Gelais to begin recording their sophomore album. The band released the song “Cancel Culture” alongside a cover of The Beatles’ “Revolution'' from the sessions on September 4th, 2020, saying that the songs were too relevant to hold until a later release. Frequent creative collaborator Clayton Christopher joined the band as a multi-instrumentalist in late 2020. The final recording session wrapped in December of 2020 and the band is expected to release the album in late 2021.
“Carver Commodore‘s latest track, “If Nothing Happens” (a part of their EP, If Nothing Happens) dives into the contemplation of whether the pursuit of a musical career holds meaning even if the grand aspirations of success remain unfulfilled. This deep thinking vibe really captures how the band has grown over time and how they’re totally up for digging into the more meaningful parts of their creative journey. The track radiates a shimmering and daydreamy vibe while maintaining dynamic elements, straddling the line between indie pop and rock. Carver Commodore masterfully marries a refined, pop-leaning style with their characteristic garage rock sound, showcasing their artistic versatility. A notable touch of nostalgia is evident, reminiscent of ’90s pop-rock legends like Third Eye Blind, and even echoing the psychedelic tones of the late ’60s, perhaps drawing influence from the likes of The Flaming Lips.” -Melodic Mag
“In a world driven by metrics and numerical measures of success, the band’s dedication to intentionality sets them apart as leaders in the independent music scene. ”