Today Was Yesterday and Music Theories Recordings / Mascot Label Group have released a second reveal from the duo’s self-titled debut studio album coming February 23.
Lead vocalist, primary songwriter, bassist, guitarist, pianist and programmer Angelo Barbera and drummer, percussionist and programmer Ty Dennis together are TODAY WAS YESTERDAY. On this collection of recordings, Rush’s Alex Lifeson contributes performances on six songs, while The Doors’ Robby Krieger played on one. The new recording presented today features Lifeson and can be previewed here: https://youtu.be/ChAJME70Of0.
Ty Dennis shares, “’A Louder Silence’ is my favorite track off the record. For me, this song is a great representation of our sound as a band. Like all great songs, this track has an impact that has the listener taking the journey with us through delicate intros, through melodic verses and powerful choruses, and it’s rounded out by an incredible, out of this world guitar performance from Alex Lifeson.” Angelo Barbera offers, “’A Louder Silence’ deals in today’s mindsets of opinion narratives over facts in politics, medical, romance, or any topic via social media. The shaping of minds to be fooled by opinion narratives and not facts; your basically saying words without saying anything that’s factual.”
The initial reveal from the forthcoming debut was “Grace” which also features Alex Lifeson. To view the official video, click here: https://youtu.be/zZwkhzMO5Ec. The song is a moody and imaginatively-arranged rocker that evokes 1970s prog-rock and Physical Graffiti-era Led Zeppelin. Lyrically, the song is about the fentanyl epidemic, and features some of Angelo’s most emotionally direct lyrics, including: “Swallowed addictions paid in souls/Timeless Crimes That Go Raging By.”
The duo is on a mission to create timeless music that transcends genres and generations. The debut is an imaginative, 10-song collection of prime modern classic rock. “We come from the days when pop musicians weren’t afraid to be good players,” says LA-based Ty Dennis. “Ty and I’ve played together as sidemen for 25 years, and we’ve always wanted to work together on original music. Today Was Yesterday is a dream come true for us,” shares Chicago-based Angelo Barbera.
Angelo and Ty first met in 1997. They are longtime veterans of the rock n’ roll scene with a telepathic musical connection. Angelo has worked with The Motels featuring Martha Davis, Red Square Black, Lita Ford, and, most notably, The Robby Krieger Band and The Doors of the 21st Century. Ty previously played in The Motels featuring Martha Davis, where he met Angelo, and he later replaced the Police’s Stewart Copeland in The Doors of the 21st Century.
Prior to his successful hired gun career, Angelo was a band guy, and he has remained an active songwriter even as his bass playing earned him world-class gigs. Angelo’s song sketches became the basis of Today Was Yesterday’s debut album, though they evolved considerably when Ty added his musicianship and artistic vision.
Initially, Today Was Yesterday was going to have a more conventional lineup presentation. “I tried out lead singers, but, at times, it was comical, like a SNL skit—the LSD, lead singer’s disease, was too much for me,” Angelo says laughing. The pair decided to create as a self-contained unit, self-producing and playing all the instruments with Angelo handling all the lead vocals.
The band is joined on this debut by some very special guests. Over the years, Ty had been in house bands for all-star concerts in which Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson was a part of. In 2022, Ty gave Alex a lift back to his hotel after a rehearsal, and he played him some early versions of a couple Today Was Yesterday songs. Alex was a fan of what he heard and said he would love to play on some of the tracks. “We’re honored to have Alex joining us on 6 of the album’s 10 songs.”
Robby Krieger joins the party for the bluesy, “If I Fall (Silly Games),” which features his one-of-a-kind slide guitar playing. “Jim Morrison freaked out when he heard Robby play slide, and wanted him to play it all the time, and I can see why. His slide playing is so emotional—it makes my hair stand up,” Ty says.
Today Was Yesterday has been a deeply satisfying creative adventure for Ty and Angelo. As they gear up to perform live in the summer of 2024, the guys look back on their career and the road ahead with thoughtfulness and gratitude. “I’m normally helping someone else achieve their goals—which I’m always happy to do—but this band gives me a chance to play exactly what I want to play, and I love that,” Ty says. Angelo adds: “This music is one hundred percent pure and honest. It doesn’t sound like anything contemporary. It is truly Today Was Yesterday.”
The complete track listing includes “Grace” (featuring Alex Lifeson), “A Louder Silence” (featuring Alex Lifeson), “On My Own” (featuring Alex Lifeson), “I Take All” (featuring Ed Roth), “My Dog Is My God” (featuring Alex Lifeson), “Faceless Faraway Song” (featuring Alex Lifeson), “If I Fall” (featuring Robby Krieger), “Rukus,” “Borrowed,” and “My New Low” (featuring Alex Lifeson).
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