The Low Cards release strong rock tale in “Pilgrims Wake”

Following a year’s worth of shows and practice, local band The Low Cards has released a new album with an epic opening track, memorable lyrics, and the kind of sound rock lovers should take notice of.

“Pilgrims Wake” is the band’s sophomore album. Member and North Attleborough resident Matt Slobogan said the songs “Wolves” and “Down From the Mountain” have received a lot of traction through streaming sites such as Spotify. Fellow band member Dan Baker is the primary songwriter, and Slobogan said he’d been on a roll lately.

“When he’s inspired, he writes like crazy,” said Slobogan, who owns Preservation Framer on North Washington Street. “He just kept bringing all these new songs to the table.”

Not all the songs that Baker wrote made the cut for the album, which was released July 22. Slobogan said once Baker had completed a song, he and fellow band member Brian Jablonski would each make their contribution. He added that the final product came about organically.

“Sometimes it won’t have an ending and it’ll come to us,” said Slobogan. “He [Baker] comes to us with the song and the story.”

“Pilgrims Wake” spans a wide range of styles, though most with a strong rock backbone. “Pal” is a more jaunty tune, while “Wolves” gives a slower, more folky sound. “Kingdom” is this writer’s favorite, starting off strong and pulsing throughout.

Slobogan said performing has always been a dream of his. The band has taken the stage at a number of venues in the area, including News Cafe, Vibe, and Columbus Theater. All proceeds from shows go back to the band, with a goal of funding the next album. The band’s first release was entirely funded this way, and the second required a small contribution from each member. Slobogan joked that the band is very good at meeting people through shows, though promotion is sometimes more of a challenge.

“We’re not super-good at staying in the public eye,” he said with a smile.  

The Low Cards had some help with this album, and feature instrumentation from such artists as MorganEve Swain of the bands Hunrtress and Brown Bird. Many others brought fiddle, pedal steel guitar, and other instruments to the production process. “Pilgrims Wake” was recorded at 1867 Studios in Chelsea and Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, R.I. 

“These musicians are fantastic,” he said. “Every single one that payed on here is the best.”

For more information on the band, visit www.thelowcards.com.