IF IT KILLS YOU - Invisible Self

IF IT KILLS YOU: post-hardcore unit teams with At the Drive-In's Jim Ward on new album "Invisible Self"; first single streaming now

Bakersfield, California post-hardcore band If It Kills You announces the April 1st release of its new full-length album, Invisible Self.

Produced by Jim Ward of At The Drive-In and Sparta, Invisible Self is an immersive experience: nine intense, radiant songs whose emotional weight and ironclad songcraft bear traces of Ward's bands as well as Quicksand, Hum, and Drive Like Jehu (whose song "If It Kills You" inspired the band name).

"Parallel Lines," the album's opening track and first single, rips forth by way of luminous guitars, growling bass, rock-solid drumming, and frontman Justin Martin's impassioned howl. Contributing his unique playing to the song is guest guitarist Shelby Cinca of Frodus.

"Frodus is a big influence on our band," says Martin. "The album 'And We Washed Our Weapons in the Sea' is a personal top 10 for me. The frantic energy of Shelby's musicality was something we were ecstatic to have on our record."

Stream "Parallel Lines," here:
https://www.brooklynvegan.com/if-it-kills-you-tap-spartas-jim-ward-frodus-shelby-cinca-for-parallel-lines-listen/

Pre-order Invisible Self (vinyl and digital), here:
https://ifitkillsyou.bandcamp.com/

Invisible Self producer Jim Ward discusses the making of the album: "Connecting with the guys in If It Kills You during the lockdown phase of the craziness we’ve been going through was a real blessing for me. Not only are they a great, creative band sonically, but the depth of lyrics and real intention was a joy to work with. I think it takes a special band to work remotely with a producer and actually produce a thoughtful and great sounding album, and these guys delivered. My greatest joy in working with them is not just the pride of being part of a fantastic album, but also that some solid friends were made."

Drummer Tyler Patterson concurs: "It was super inspiring to work with Jim on this record. It was invaluable to get his insight and advice on the record. Jim’s musical career itself is a huge influence on us. We are huge fans of At the Drive In and Sparta."

With Ward as producer, the album was recorded and mixed by Martin at The Noise Feed, the recording studio he owns and operates in Bakersfield. Mastering was handled by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering (Bambara, Kowloon Walled City). The cover art was created by Alan Rosetti, also known as AR/KVB.

Beyond If It Kills You, Martin is making a career out of connecting with his heroes: Songwriting Malpractice, the podcast he started in 2020, features revealing one-on-one talks with a slew of notable musicians, including members of most of the aforementioned bands as well as The Melvins, The Jesus Lizard, Jawbox, Failure, Converge, Trail of Dead, Torche, and more.

Tracklist:
1) Parallel Lines
2) Cloak and Dagger
3) Negative Forces
4) Impulse Response
5) Distress Signal
6) Invisible Enemies 
7) Anti-Pattern
8) 205 Hz
9) Intruder

Lineup:
Justin Martin - vocals, guitar
Kevin Clark - vocals, guitar

Mikee Lee - vocals, bass
Tyler Patterson - drums

Guests:
Shelby Cinca (Frodus) - guitar on "Parallel Lines"
Ben Davis (Sleepytime Trio, Bats and Mice) - vocals on "Impulse Response"
Jim Ward (At the Drive-In, Sparta) - synth on "Invisible Enemies"
Bill Taylor (Songs for Snakes) - vocals on "Anti-Pattern"
Jordan Belardes - violin on "Intruder"

Discography:
If It Kills You 7" - 2015
Split 7" w/ Songs for Snakes - 2017
Infinite Hum - 2018
"Rend It" (Fugazi cover) - 2020
Invisible Self - 2022

Photo by Raz Azraai