[Cover photo credit to Cyrille Bellec]
Woodstock, New York’s The Bobby Lees are releasing their album, Bellevue on October 7th, 2022, via Ipecac Recordings and recently shared the single and video “Ma Likes To Drink”. The new album is particularly personal to singer Sam Quartin, who did most of the writing after a mental break while staying close to Bellevue.
Drummer Macky Bowman says of the new track:
To paraphrase John Berger: there is a stark difference between being naked and being a nude. To be naked is to be natural. Stripped of societal confines you are free to be as languorous or wanton as you wish. Even in naked acts of exhibition the primary spiritual benefactor will be the model, not the voyeur. Conversely to be a nude is to be reduced to no more than your physical form, displayed as a trite odalisque for the pleasure of greasy slobs. On an unrelated note we are all very proud of this song and video! We really hope you enjoy. Love you!
The video was directed by John Swab who also created the band’s videos for “Dig Your Hips”, and the video-meets-film short, “Hollywood Junkyard”.

Singer Sam Quartin comments on the album’s title, referring to mental states:
I named the album Bellevue because when I listen back, I hear someone going through that stuff, who is now able to laugh about it and have fun re-telling the stories. It’s a reminder for me that the most painful and intense things I go through end up being the most rewarding creatively.
The 13-song album, which was recorded live in-studio, was produced by Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, The Raconteurs). The Bobby Lees recently wrapped up a European tour and have a few shows coming up.
The Bobby Lees tour dates:
October 9 Sacramento, CA Aftershock 2022
October 25 Brooklyn, NY Baby’s All Right
October 28 Woodstock, NY Colony
November 5 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom