"We're not scared of our influences," says Self Defense Family singer and lyricist Patrick Kindlon, ñand plenty of them come from Baltimore. We saw recording in that city as an opportunity to channel some of those influences. Then we ran the tracks through a filter of Mary's combusting relationship. The result is songs guaranteed to bring you the fuck down.î Recorded during a time of personal turmoil for several of the members, the two songs on this release channel that disquiet. Guitarist Benjamin Tate says, ñAlmost everyone was in a bad mood and feeding off of each other. Writing was way more of a struggle than it usually is and I think everyone came away from the day unhappy with the songsî but upon hearing them ñunlikeƒalmost any other recording I have ever done, I had almost no feedback on them. The songs sound huge and warm and even the songwriting seems better than I remember it being. I left the session feeling defeated and now I would say this will be among my favorite recordings to come out this year.î

ñWhen The Barn Caves Inî consists of the titular track and ñAlanî on the B-side. While both are about personal and relationship disintegration, ñAlanî is named for the band member who connected with it most, Alan Huck, the multi-instrumentalist and photographer whose art graces the cover of this release. The intimate black and white photo shows Kindlon tying back his hair and lingers on tattoos that spell out ñThen What.î ñWhen The Barn Caves Inî will be accompanied by a low-run perfect-bound photo book available through Iron Pier and the band. The book features photos by bassist Kai Stone taken at Magpie Cage studios during the recording as well as on the bandÍs then-tour with Creative Adult and Makthaverskan. Stark but intimate, the book is a perfect companion to the record. Also packaged with the release is an apparel design created for the band by acclaimed artist Reuben Sawyer (Deafheaven, Chelsea Wolfe, Hollow Sunshine).

Track Listing: 
01. When The Barn Caves In
02. Alan