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QTY (band)

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QTY
QTY in 2017
Background information
OriginNew York City
Genresindie rock
Years active2014 (2014)–present
LabelsDirty Hit
MembersAlex Niemetz
Peter Baumann
Alan Yuch
Past membersDan Lardner
Websiteqtynyc.com

QTY is an American indie rock band from New York City, signed to Dirty Hit Records. The group originally consisted of singers and guitarists Dan Lardner and Alex Niemetz, as well as bassist Peter Baumann and drummer Alan Yuch.

The band recorded their debut album in London, produced by former Suede member Bernard Butler. The self-titled album was released in December 2017 to early critical acclaim, including favorable reviews in such publications as the NME.[1][2] The group also earned a spot on the NME 100: 2018 Best New Bands List.[3]

QTY's debut single Rodeo

The group described its sound as "guitar-driven lyrical rock music with pop sensibilities,"[4] and was often placed in the lineage of New York rock bands such as The Velvet Underground, Television, and The Strokes,[5][1][6] based on the guitar-based sound and Lardner's New York-style laconic vocal delivery.[7][8] However, their influences stretched beyond their hometown, including glam rock-era acts, especially David Bowie, as well as 1990s lo-fi indie rock bands such as Royal Trux and Silver Jews.[9][10] Lyrics played a key part of the band's appeal, where Lardner's lyrics were often lauded for his observant, introspective nature about the struggle of the band's everyday lives.[11][12]

History

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The band formed in 2014, after members of former band Grand Rapids disbanded the year prior.[13] Lardner and Niemetz recorded some early demos in San Francisco through connections in their friend network, which received attention from Dirty Hit after Lardner's roommate sent the demos to a contact at the record label, who immediately contacted the band expressing interest.[13] The band went on to sign to the label as their first US-based band, having formerly been known for a repertoire of notable British acts including The 1975, Wolf Alice, and Pale Waves. Lardner and Niemetz recorded early singles with Bernard Butler, including "Rodeo" released in October 2016, and "Dress/Undress" released in February 2017.

QTY played few early shows following their signing on the encouragement of the record label,[13] until the band went on their first North American tour opening for the Bad Suns and then a series of headlining shows in late 2017. The band's final shows were in 2018; however Lardner played a small string of solo shows in early 2023 along with Evan Dando, with whom he had struck up a friendship and mentorship for many years.[14]

The name is pronounced by saying each letter individually; but it is a play-off the "cuties", clementines, based on Lardner's reference to Niemetz as a "cutie" due to her hair color. Romy from the band The xx, suggested the band refer to themselves instead as just "Q.T.Y."[15]

Lardner's death was announced on June 15, 2023.[16]

Discography

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Singles
Release Date Title
October 31, 2016 "Rodeo"
December 5, 2016 "World Breaker"
February 27, 2017 "Dress/Undress"
April 10, 2017 "Ornament"
Albums
Release Date Title Track List
December 8, 2017 QTY
  1. "Rodeo"
  2. "Dress/Undress"
  3. "Michael"
  4. "Cold Nights"
  5. "Word for This"
  6. "Living Things"
  7. "Notify Me"
  8. "Sad Poetic"
  9. "New Beginnings"
  10. "Salvation"

References

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  1. ^ a b "QTY – 'QTY' Album Review". NME. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  2. ^ "QTY by QTY". Metacritic.com. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  3. ^ "The NME 100: Essential new music for 2018 – NME". NME. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  4. ^ "QTY share chilly new track 'Cold Nights'". Diymag.com. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  5. ^ "QTY revive New York rock with "Dress / Undress" | All Things Go". Allthingsgomusic.com. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Dirty Hit New Signings QTY Combine The Best of New York On 'Rodeo'". NME. October 31, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  7. ^ "QTY: QTY – Just enough invention amid the mimicry". Irishtimes.com.
  8. ^ Empire, Kitty (November 5, 2017). "Qty: Qty review – cliche-swerving New York rock". The Guardian.
  9. ^ "Don't sleep on QTY, New York's most exciting new band – NME". NME. December 8, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  10. ^ Melendez, Angel (November 2, 2017). "QTY's Dan Lardner on Glam Rock and Gram Parsons". Miaminewtimes.com.
  11. ^ "Review: QTY's Self-Titled Debut Is a Joyous Ode to Humanity & Friendship". Atwoodmagazine.com. December 8, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "QTY – QTY". DIY. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "New York's QTY on playing their "first" ever show – NME". NME. February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  14. ^ Tadeu, Marcos (May 3, 2023). "DanDando: how a QTY member from Chinatown took the fear of living out of us all". Rockcabeca.com. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Honesty, Hive Mind, and the Human Element: A Conversation with QTY". Atwoodmagazine.com. December 19, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  16. ^ Geraghty, Hollie (June 15, 2023). "QTY singer and guitarist Dan Lardner has died". NME.
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