Ed Schrader's Music Beat

Ed Schrader's Music Beat is a Baltimore-based duo consisting of vocalist/drummer Schrader and bassist Devlin Rice. They initially played a stripped-down form of garage punk, alternating between frantic thrashing and spacious, steadily paced crooning, before adding more keyboards and varied rhythms into their sound. They are one of many acts who have emerged from the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Wham+City%22">Wham City</a> collective, and have extensively toured or collaborated with other <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Wham+City%22">Wham City</a> associates such as <a href="spotify:artist:5Z3IWpvwOvoaWodujHw7xh">Dan Deacon</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1WvvwcQx0tj6NdDhZZ2zZz">Future Islands</a>. Debuting with the frantic Jazz Mind in 2012, the duo's sound expanded with the <a href="spotify:artist:5Z3IWpvwOvoaWodujHw7xh">Deacon</a>-produced Riddles (2018) and the darker yet still danceable Nightclub Daydreaming (2022). The more new wave/pop-influenced Orchestra Hits appeared in 2024.

Schrader contributed group vocals to <a href="spotify:artist:5Z3IWpvwOvoaWodujHw7xh">Deacon</a>'s first two albums for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Carpark%22">Carpark</a>, Spiderman of the Rings and Bromst. Also a key contributor to the comedy aspect of <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Wham+City%22">Wham City</a>, Schrader was well-known for their standup comedy and podcasts, particularly for spot-on impressions of <a href="spotify:artist:0oSGxfWSnnOXhD2fKuz2Gy">David Bowie</a>. They began touring as a solo artist in 2009, playing brief, direct songs backed by a floor tom. That same year, their debut album, The Choir Inside, was released by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Wham+City%22">Wham City</a>. In 2010, Schrader began collaborating with bassist Devlin Rice (of <a href="spotify:artist:0Ya9fazqK6X1cCURGztHOn">Nuclear Power Pants</a>) as Ed Schrader's Music Beat. The duo toured extensively, and debut album Jazz Mind was released by Providence's <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Load+Records%22">Load Records</a> in 2012. The set included fan favorites such as "Rats" and "I Can't Stop Eating Sugar," as well as contributions by <a href="spotify:artist:0xBkYJzwFzcIYev4fOkvk0">Matmos</a> and Randy Randall of <a href="spotify:artist:72acCeElLYGL9nBHcZzX1h">No Age</a>. Also in 2012, the pair released a split 7" single with <a href="spotify:artist:1WvvwcQx0tj6NdDhZZ2zZz">Future Islands</a>, and Schrader sang on <a href="spotify:artist:0xBkYJzwFzcIYev4fOkvk0">Matmos</a>' "Very Large Green Triangles."

Following additional touring, including the duo's first European gigs, Ed Schrader's Music Beat signed to <a href="spotify:artist:1yhtlCNnRgCNGnsy2K7mHm">JEFF the Brotherhood</a>'s <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Infinity+Cat+Recordings%22">Infinity Cat Recordings</a>, which released their sophomore album, Party Jail, in 2014. Following tours with groups such as <a href="spotify:artist:7nFTfkZmPlVL33Pclpf3aG">Chain and the Gang</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7xG9iqFOBgVbssVYyPuPyn">Dope Body</a>, Ed Schrader's Music Beat began working on their third album, Riddles. With the help of <a href="spotify:artist:5Z3IWpvwOvoaWodujHw7xh">Deacon</a>, who produced, arranged, and played synthesizers on every song, the band created their most ambitious, fleshed-out statement yet, moving far beyond the minimalist rants of their earlier work. Riddles was released by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Carpark+Records%22">Carpark Records</a> in 2018. The group road-tested new material in early 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic halted live performances, and they initially hoped to record an album of "sunny disco bangers." Following the death of touring drummer Kevin O'Meara (<a href="spotify:artist:4pnckbEfezDbPsEcYHYoYf">Videohippos</a>), the album took on a much darker tone, but still retained some danceable post-punk elements. Nightclub Daydreaming was released in March of 2022. Orchestra Hits, an accessible, somewhat nostalgic full-length, appeared on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Upset+the+Rhythm%22">Upset the Rhythm</a> in 2024. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi