[Cover photo credit to Nicole Miller]

New York-based Psych-Garage four-piece The Thing have announced their sophomore album The Thing Is along with the release of third single “Midnight.” Themes include “punching the time clock for impending doom.” Their new album arrives on February 2nd, 2024.

Formed in 2022 and committed to doing everything they can in-house, the band records at their East Williamsburg studio Onion Records, creates their own visuals, and has crafted a visual identity that combines elements of the 90s and the 70s.

On the inception of “Midnight”, The Thing share:

The initial idea came from a drunken stupor years ago when we were jamming in our living room. We spent close to an hour just on the one riff. We’ve been enjoying writing this way, entering a trance and trying to find a song amidst a cacophony. Eventually, we revisited this voice memo during our recording session for this album.

We whittled it down and settled on a form but had not found the lyrics. So, on the tail end of our most recent tour, we spent a few nights in an Airbnb in the Appalachians. The lyrics were inspired from conversions about nuclear weapons and how our time on earth is measured by a doomsday clock countdown. We were asking existential questions and affirming our belief in a creative life. We felt the spy-like essence to the instrumental fitted that lyrical theme nicely.

The official video for “Midnight” was filmed in black and white to feel vintage and yet modern and portrays a jewelry heist.

The band comments:

We filmed the ‘Midnight’ video at Horseman Antiques, a famous antique store in Brooklyn where Michael used to work. It’s a place where we all spent time doing odd jobs delivering various pieces of furniture. The idea is that we are burglars robbing the store in search of a coveted item.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

February 2 – New York, NY – TV EYE

February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s

February 9 – Richmond, VA – The Camel

February 10 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House

February 14 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl

February 15 – Auburn, AL – 1716

February 16 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn

February 17 – New Orleans, LA – Santos

February 22 – Austin, TX – Mohawk

February 24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Resonant Head

February 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar

February 29 – San Diego, CA – WINSTONS

March 1 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers

March 2 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer

March 6 – Morro Bay, CA – The Siren

March 7 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst Atrium

March 8 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill

March 12 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub

March 13 – Portland, OR – White Eagle

March 14 – Seattle, WA – The Sunset Tavern

March 17 – Sun Valley, ID – Sun Valley Resort (free show)

March 20 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest

March 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – The DLC

March 22 – Crested Butte, CO – Public House

March 23 – Buena Vista, CO – The Lariat

March 24 – Telluride, CO – The Alibi

March 28 – Fort Collins, CO – Surfside 7

March 29 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Schmiggity’s Live Music Dance Bar

March 30 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*

April 3 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry

April 4 – Milwaukee, WI – The Cooperage

April 5 – Appleton, WI – Gibson Music Hall

April 6 – Chicago, IL – The Hideout

April 10 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

April 11 – Detroit, MI – Lager House

April 12 – Toronto, ON – The Baby G

April 13 – Buffalo, NY – Iron Works

May 26 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling

* supporting Mo Lowda & The Humble + Bright Light Social Hour

See all tour info here