La Bonte shares new single / video “American Dance Bands”

The project is also, importantly, deeply personal. Don’t Let This Define Me, La Bonte’s debut record, frankly articulates the loneliness and isolation of love lost, but avoids confessionalism or saccharine sentiment. The songs are embodied and exacting, with a gutteral affective impact. The record is built of loss, but it bears no traces of a lack–in the songwriting’s enlivened and intelligent sensemaking, we find renewed strength in radical articulations of deep vulnerability. La Bonte feels his way to planting his feet on the ground, and we do, too. Despite life’s litany of chaos–love’s dissolution and other furies–this record leads us (haltingly) forward.

Over two years, several friends and collaborators (Eric Shevrin of Young Jesus, Brooke Dickson of The Regrettes, Janey Riech of Layman, among others) helped bring this record to life. It was recorded, mixed, and produced by Colin Knight at Paradise Records (Fury, Death Bells, Diztort).

What the press is saying:

““Don’t Let This Define Me” sees La Bonte carving out room for himself to build, then pause, breathe, and build again. Though the melancholy of the song and its accompanying video are on full display, La Bonte reckons with the past in a clear, decisive, and emotionally affecting way.” – Consequence of Sound

“Don’t Let This Define Me comes from a place of beautiful esotericism, as La Bonte’s poetry excels, converging with bright instrumentals, and perfect production by Colin Knight” – Destroy / Exist

“Beautifully melancholy in a sort of Scottish indie band sort of way, with dashes of David Bazan, Songs: Ohia for good measure.” – Backseat Mafia

“Definitely feels like something hanging in the territory between late 90s Jade Tree and Bedhead, both things that I’m perfectly fond of on my end.” – Austin Town Hall

“Stretching the thread from the spool all the way to the door that’s painted blue on the back.” – Small Albums

Lyrics:
I once was told anything was right
No laws, no worries; just yourself and nothing else
Though proved convincing, it didn’t mean that much
All that seemed real was the day when I caught a glimpse
Of the fire, of the sound

I watched them closely move across the stage
Their skills, their fury projected on my soul
The lights, the cameras illuminate my walls
How I wish I could be one of them and nothing else
Of the fire, of the sound

Come with me and we’ll confide
American dance bands know our kind
No one will ever question us now

Several years later, I can’t stand thinking back
All that I lived for didn’t feel the same
The dance was nothing but a hoax, an empty dream
Even in photos, America changed its name
Of the fire, of the sound