The Newest Noise for Your Listening Pleasure! | By Nicholas Senior
Baggage
Flint, Michigan
Life in Misophonia | Aug. 2 | Smartpunk Records
RIYL: Giving back. Gaining perspective. Growing pains.
Pick up Life in Misophonia HERE!
“Don’t write what you don’t know” is such an obvious mantra, but it’s at the core of what makes Baggage’s debut album such an impactful, incredible listen. Featuring vocalist and bassist Jonathan “Jono” Diener, formerly of The Swellers, Life in Misophonia is a pained portrait of an artist picking up the pieces and figuring out how to keep on keepin’ on. It’s also wonderfully melodic, brimming with grungy riffs and big hooks. Like the deepest ocean, there’s a lot happening under the surface; while the mirage is beautiful, it’s what’s inside that counts. Diener is quick to get at why Baggage’s first album connects so easily with people. “The record starts with our van dying and ends with my relatives dying,” he says. “You stop worrying about superficial things and care about what matters. If that doesn’t put it into perspective, I don’t know what will.” Most importantly, Life in Misophonia is also about giving back, something Diener does very literally behind the scenes. He’s passionate about helping his local community, having raised over $15,000 for Flint. No matter how grim the record gets, there’s a sense that propping others up is what matters. It may just help you get out of a funk too.
Top photo by Alec Moore
