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Pandemic Rock Architrave’s moody new album “This Perfect Day” is a perfect encapsulation of the moment. By Kirsten Ferguson An uneasy mood—driven by atmospheric synthesizer and tense lyrics— runs through the debut album by Ballston Spa duo Architrave. Although “This Perfect Day” was written and recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic fully hit America, the album’s apprehensive, dark tenor struck a chord upon its release for capturing the current collective mood. “I tend to write music that’s dystopian and science fiction based. It worked out to be very appropriate,” says Jennifer Maher Coleman, the vocalist, keyboardist and creative force behind the duo with her husband, Paul Coleman, who plays guitar and bass. The pair also
perform together in synth-rock outfit Haley Moley, and Paul Coleman has his own indie-rock project, Sinkcharmer. Architrave celebrated the album’s Bandcamp release on April 2 with a live YouTube performance, which doubled as Jennifer Coleman’s birthday party. The release came at a time when people were hungry for live music, and live streams were really taking off. “It wasn’t a bad time to promote an album, because people were shut in and ready to receive entertainment,” Coleman says. A painter with an MFA from SUNY Albany, Coleman has a business painting commissioned pieces that remind people of treasured things: childhood homes, favorite toys, beloved pets. Her love of architecture— especially modern, futuristic and “somewhat alienating” architecture like Brutalism—came into play when naming the duo Architrave after a cool-sounding architectural term that no one had yet claimed for a band. “This Perfect Day” combines the dark new wave of ‘80s bands like Joy Division and New Order with the sleek, futuristic sounds of modern indie-dance rock. The on-edge vibe of the album took on added meaning after its release, when the pandemic fueled feelings of uncertainty, fear and disintegration. In a time of social distancing and quarantining, many people find themselves alone too much or not enough. “A lot of the album is about isolation and our complicated relationship with the need for isolation,” Coleman says. “I really like my alone time, and I don’t get it very often. I long for periods of solitude.” The song “Yellow Lines”—a tune awash with a dystopian feel, a hiccupping beat and a haunting vocal—references Coleman’s hobby of running on the road, which provides welcome escape.