Written by Maria Arroyo
Sharing their first album is a five-piece band out of Philadelphia, My Familiar. Their latest album, Demons, is a concept album that is based on the Seven Deadly Sins where the band explains that “each song explores a subject rooted in one of the sins.”
My Familiar is a mix of rock, folk, and soul with an abundance of creativity in their songwriting and stellar arrangements. My Familiar is long-time friends, Damien James and Lydia Joy (vocals), Luke Benedict (drums), Brian Clarke (bass), and Chesy Tronchoni (violin), but helping in the studio recording are musicians Alyssa Almeida and Frankie DeRosa.
Since COVID-19, their initial release party (currently slated for July 24th) has taken a different direction. They decided to release a new song every week, with the most recent being “Liar” and the last song “Siren Song” being released on May 15!
Opening the record is the album’s title track and single, “Demons.” “Demons” has some killer harmonies, and an overall sensual and intense presence surrounding it. The influences of soul and blues are highlighted immensely in this song, but it’s not the last.
“Close To The Light” has more of a swing feel to it, but that lightens up the mood a little bit. The musicianship is superb, even when they make it sound so easy and effortless. The dynamics are amazing and the buildup of anticipation is impeccable. What a song!
photo credit: Rosie Turner
Their next song, “Parasites,” has contagiously fun and free-spirited energy. The vocal buildup by James and Joy is nothing short of absolutely insane.
Smoothing out the feel is “Devil Horns & Halos.” While the song isn’t as rhythmically-driven, they never forget to keep their energy up to keep from dragging. There is a great deal of heart and emotion in this song, and the raw approach to it is unbelievable.
The most recently released single, “Liar,” has an interesting theatrical aspect to it that the album hasn’t had, but the mix between that and their folk-rock and soul sound is damn near perfect. Again, they have me speechless with their phenomenal musicianship and ability to keep surprising me with every song.
“The Hunter” has a stronger footing in their rock sound. The song is still very intense, and the movement in the instrumentation and vocals is impressive.
photo credit: Rosie Turner
Similar to the “The Hunter,” “Deliverance” has a stronger rock sound, but with a mix of contemporary due to an unbelievable string performance, which compliments the vocalist’s style very well.
Closing the journey through the Seven Deadly Sins is “Siren Song.” The song is nothing short of enticing and almost trancelike. It keeps you locked in from the second it starts to the last note.
“Demons” explores themes and relationships with common threads of “understanding, harnessing, and building healthy relationships with various inner demons.” The album is absolutely amazing! Be sure to keep up with the Philly band, and you can be sure that the first show they have in the area, I’m there!
Connect with My Familiar
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