We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Don't It Sting

by Spanish Prisoners

supported by
Brent Gaines
Brent Gaines thumbnail
Jeff Shute
Jeff Shute thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a lovely environmentally-friendly paper sleeve, with artwork by the band's own Leo Maymind. Limited edition, pressed by the artist, directly from the artist TO YOU. Thanks for your support.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Don't It Sting via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    edition of 100 

      $8 USD or more 

     

1.
Hope It Does 03:44
buy track
2.
Cry 03:46
buy track
3.
To Be Home and Feel Homeless 03:21
buy track
4.
Kiss In The Dark 04:53
buy track
5.
Another Life, Another Coast 05:05
buy track
6.
Unsure 04:47
buy track
7.
By The Way 03:13
buy track
8.
You Let The Thing You Love Take Over Your Life 08:33
buy track

about

What is most surprising about Don't It Sting, the new album from Spanish Prisoners, is that it exists at all.

It's been twelve years since the critically acclaimed 2011 album Gold Fools, which NPR named one of that year's five best self-released records. The band, then a four piece, toured and played a mess of shows while also trying to craft the follow-up to Gold Fools. Unfortunately the curse of the difficult second album proved to be true and the band members ended up going their separate ways—guitarist / vocalist Leo Maymind and bassist James Higgs both moved to L.A. while drummer / vocalist Michael DiSanto and keyboardist / vocalist Amberly Parnell stayed behind in New York.

Maymind and DiSanto reconnected many years later after a life altering event for Maymind - the loss of his dog, Ezra. In the grieving process came renewed clarity of mind and Maymind realized he wanted to revive the long dormant project and start singing songs again. His attention had mostly been focused on exploring ambient, house, techno and other forms of electronic music. DiSanto, meanwhile, had been focusing on refining his production work and his project Tunnel Speeches that explored the harsher side of improvised drums and guitars.

Given the cross country nature of the now two-piece band, you'd think that most of this album was a remote working affair, but that wasn't the case. The bulk of these songs were recorded together in the same room in two separate sessions—one in Brooklyn before the Covid pandemic hit and one in LA in the middle of a variant lull. The two trade off lead vocals, each taking the lead on four tracks, though their voices sound so similar that it's often hard to decipher who is singing. Maymind and DiSanto also share production duties, crafting these eight songs around a delicate balance of keyboards, bass and drum machines. There's a newfound comfort and patience in these eight tracks, as you'd expect given the amount of time that has passed.

While previous Spanish Prisoners songs painted things in more abstract terms, Don't It Sting tends to confront things more directly. These songs deal with the ending of long-term relationships, the dissolution of friendships and the general detritus of getting older and living in two of the most expensive cities in the country. "Cry" finds DiSanto spitting vitriol at a former lover over a crisp drum machine groove and taut guitars that recall Spoon and the best power pop of yore. The last track, "You Let The Thing You Love Take Over Your Life" chronicles the feeling of loss of self Maymind felt when working on this album the first time, back in 2012, while "Unsure" finds Maymind waxing about a secretive work romance over snaking synths.

Don't It Sting will be available on CD and all streaming platforms on September 15, 2023.

credits

released September 15, 2023

Produced and written by Leo Maymind and Michael DiSanto
Mixed by Michael DiSanto
Mastered by Carl Saff
Album design by Leo Maymind

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Spanish Prisoners image

Spanish Prisoners Los Angeles, California

Spanish Prisoners started as a solo project by Leo Maymind in Columbus, Ohio. It grew and changed shape over the course of a decade. The band now consists of Maymind and producer / multi-instrumentalist Michael DiSanto. Their forthcoming album, Don't It Sting, will be released on September 15, 2023 and was recorded in both New York and LA over the course of 2019-2021. ... more

contact / help

Contact Spanish Prisoners

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Spanish Prisoners, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now