The members of Be Your Own Pet are just now breaching their 20s, but time has been good so far for the Nashville-based post-punk troupe. The quartet is preparing to release its sophomore set, “Get Awkward,” March 18 via Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace imprint.
With help from Redd Kross’ Steve McDonald and veteran mixer Joe Chiccarelli, the group produced the album at its own studio. According to guitarist Jonas Stein, the release is “more dynamic” compared to BYOP’s 2006 self-titled debut.
“It was simple before when we first started writing music, but now this album has taken a darker turn,” he says. “It’s more aggressive is also puts all of our tastes together.”
Notorious for their hyper-fast, miniature tracks, the group has instead tried to mix in much longer compositions, as well as “more slow and melodic poppy songs.” Thematically, “Get Awkward” is packed full of movie references in the lyrics, sung by 20-year-old frontwoman Jemina Pearl.
The band is currently in the midst of planning “200-plus” tour dates for 2008.
