Newly signed to ATO Records after a much-buzzed-about set at SXSW 2023, and All Points East festival date alongside The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more, the Chicago-based indie purveyors  Brigitte Calls Me Baby announces their debut EP This House Is Made of Corners, due out on ATO on Nov. 3. The five-song project was recorded with nine-time Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (best known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson) at RCA Studio A.

Brigitte Calls Me Baby finds the future of rock in its past. The Roy Orbison-admiring, Smiths-influenced band ingeniously spans genres and eras, merging the lavish romanticism of mid-century pop with the frenetic energy and spiky intensity of early-millennium indie-rock. Centered on Leavins’ hypnotically crooning vocal work, the result is a rare convergence of sophistication and style and unabashed sincerity. As such, lead single “Impressively Average” arrives in fashion with pounding rhythms and shimmering guitar tones that form the backdrop to what Leavins refers to as a song…”born from the contrast of self-love mingled with self-loathing. To me, it represents my obsession with presentation yet transparency. The song captures how I want to portray an image but with honesty. I want to go there even when it’s uncomfortable, and write unapologetically.” 

Listen to lead single “Impressively Average” and watch the new video directed by Alec Basse here

“In so much music there’s a desire to be perceived as someone who’s got it all figured out, but I never want to paint a picture that isn’t true,” proclaims lead singer, Wes Leavins. “I know that when I was younger I was looking for something to latch onto that I could connect with and feel a part of, so I’d hope that our music could provide that for others. I want to create something that helps people feel more alive, and that will last long after we’re gone,” he continues.

Originally from the Southeast Texas town of Port Arthur, Leavins grew up listening to Roy Orbison records at his grandparents’ house next door, while his parents played him new-wave bands like The Cars and his friends turned him onto Radiohead and The Strokes. At age 13, Leavins took up guitar and began writing songs of his own, quickly discovering his distinct vocal style.

“At first I didn’t like the way I sang and couldn’t really do anything about it, but as I got older I started to appreciate it more,” he reveals. “My whole inclination toward music came from being in this small town in Texas with nowhere to go and nothing to do, and wanting to be understood without having to say anything.”

Upon moving to Chicago in 2016, Leavins immersed himself in the local music scene and soon linked up with guitarists Jack Fluegel and Trevor Lynch, bassist Devin Wessels, and drummer Jeremy Benshish, who joined him in co-founding Brigitte Calls Me Baby. As the band built up their catalog, Leavins was tapped to take part in recreating a series of Elvis Presley songs for Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis, a turn of events that found him crossing paths with Cobb. “Dave and I hit it off right away and started talking about the music we loved, and when we reconnected later he asked me to send him some of the songs I’d been working on,” Leavins recalls.

Together, on This House Is Made of Corners, the band and Cobb channel a timeless air, proving that their music could belong anywhere, in any era.

This Fall, Brigitte Calls Me Baby will join The Last Dinner Party and open for two dates, the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, and return home for a Chicago play at the Bottom Lounge. Stay tuned for tons more to come on Brigitte Calls Me Baby.

PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE THIS HOUSE IS MADE OF CORNERS

THIS HOUSE IS MADE OF CORNERS TRACKLIST

1. The Future Is Our Way Out
2. Impressively Average
3. Eddie My Love
4. You Are Only Made Of Dreams
5. Palm Of Your Hand

BRIGITTE CALLS ME BABY TOUR DATES

Nov 6 – El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles, CA w/The Last Dinner Party
Nov 9 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL w/The Last Dinner Party
Dec 6 – Aragon Ballroom (Q101 Twisted Xmas with Lovejoy and White Reaper) – Chicago, IL