Retirement Party

Retirement Party
Retirement Party at Beat Kitchen in Chicago, January 2020
Background information
OriginChicago, Illinois
GenresEmo
Years active2016 (2016)–2022, 2023–present
LabelsCounter Intuitive Records
Members
  • Avery Springer
Past members
  • Eddy Rodríguez
  • James Ringness
  • Nick Cartwright
  • Kevin Mandell
Websiteretirementparty.bandcamp.com

Retirement Party is an American emo group from Chicago, Illinois.

History

The group originally began in Troy, Michigan under the name Sunglasses on a Plane. Under that name, the group was just a duo fronted by Avery Springer, whose sole release was an EP titled Excess Company.[1][2] After changing their name to Retirement Party, the band – now consisting of Springer, guitarist Nick Cartwright, bassist Kevin Mandell, and drummer James Ringness[1] – self-released their first EP, titled Strictly Speaking.

[2][3] In early 2018, the band signed to Boston-based label Counter Intuitive Records.[4] Soon after signing to the label, the band released their debut full-length album, Somewhat Literate.[5] The song "Passion Fruit Tea" was named in "Songs We Love" by NPR Music.[3]

The band was featured on Paste Magazine's list "The 15 Chicago Bands You Need To Know in 2018" as well as Stereogum's "40 Best New Bands Of 2018".[6][7]

In 2020, the band released their second full-length album titled Runaway Dog.[8]

In 2022, the band announced their split via social media, with the band citing a change in their personal lives as the reason to discontinue the group. In the same post, they announced three final songs to release soon, a short farewell tour, and the cancellation of their European tour. The final Retirement Party show was held on April 14 at the Ukie Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The self-titled EP, Retirement Party, released on June 15, 2022.

On March 23, 2023, the band announced, via social media, that they were 'coming out of retirement' and supporting Pet Symmetry as part of their 10 year celebration tour.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Somewhat Literate (2018, Counter Intuitive Records)
  • Runaway Dog (2020, Counter Intuitive Records)

EPs

  • Strictly Speaking (2017, self-released)
  • Retirement Party (2022, Counter Intuitive Records)

References

  1. ^ a b Terry, Josh. "Five Questions for Retirement Party's Avery Springer". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  2. ^ a b Cassar, James. "Exclusive Spin: Retirement Party — Strictly Speaking". Modern Vinyl. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  3. ^ a b Anthony, David. "Songs We Love: Retirement Party, 'Passion Fruit Tea'". NPR Music. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  4. ^ Funk, Joel (4 May 2018). "Retirement Party release the bitter and explosive "Shoulder It"". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  5. ^ McDermott, Patrick. "Listen to a basement emo gem from Chicago". The Fader. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  6. ^ Manno, Lizzie; Kamp, Justin. "The 15 Chicago Bands You Need To Know in 2018". Paste. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2018". Stereogum. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  8. ^ Corcoran, Nina (14 April 2020). "Retirement Party Announce New Album Runaway Dog, Share Title Track: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 12 June 2020.