One Eleven Heavy – “Mardi Gras”

Following up on Nick Mitchell Maiato’s Gems contribution from earlier in the week, the first single from One Eleven Heavy’s sophomore LP, Desire Path, arrives and it leaves a jagged rut on the lawn as it pulls away on rented wheels. “Mardi Gras” is steeped in the ‘70s lawless looseness that rock cribbed from its country kin just about the time Parsons caught the train outta here. The song knocks some well needed honkey-tonk into the tepid tea of 2019, feeding on the grass n’ gas vibes of Muscle Shoals bound Stones. It’s hinged on a Hans Chew piano pound that feels like he might tip over with every note, a third-degree rub of guitar that makes good on the band’s live reputation, and a soaring chorus that begs the listener to join in. Just a touch harder and hotter than they ran on the last album, the song’s still filled with their effortless ethos led by a Toth tale of a hapless gambler who can’t face his truth.

“‘Mardi Gras’ is part of a tradition of songs about delusional luckless losers,” elaborates the band’s James Toth. “I don’t believe for a second that this character’s ship will ever come in; his destiny is in many ways preordained. And yet he is sincere in his belief that his luck will turn around if only he could get that one lucky break. In some ways it’s an allegory but I prefer the literal take: this guy is almost certainly going to let you down.” “It is also one of several of my songs to wedge in an obscure reference to the television program The Honeymooners,” adds Toth. “Spot the others!”

The album lands September 20th on Beyond Beyond is Beyond and I’d wholeheartedly recommend tucking into it in its entirety.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.

Catch ’em on tour as well.

9/1 – UNION POOL, BROOKLYN, NY (BBiB album launch show)
9/2 – TUBBY’S KINGSTON, NY
9/4 – OUTER LIMITS LOUNGE, DETROIT, MI
9/5 – THE HIDEOUT, CHICAGO, IL
9/6 – JAM CASTLE, PLYMOUTH, WI
9/7 – BOONE & CROCKETT, MILWAUKEE, WI
9/8 – REVERBERATION RECORDS, BLOOMINGTON, IL
9/9 – KAIJU, LOUISVILLE, KY
9/11 – DIRTY DUNGAREES, COLUMBUS, OH
9/12 – JERRY’S ON FRONT, PHILADELPHIA, PA
9/13 – THE LOW BEAT, ALBANY, NY