Name Sayers Gets Randy With the New Moon

Moon Man: Name Sayers vocalist Devin James Fry

Standing in the summer sun, Devin James Fry contemplates the cycle of the moon – particularly its first stage, when our celestial tagalong disappears from view, its illuminated side facing away from Earth.

Since ancient times, men and women have felt refreshed by the lunar disappearing act. Never one to ignore the forces of nature, the Austin songwriter recognizes the influence of that orbiting rock 238,900 miles away.

“As I understand it, the new moon is about inward energy, contemplation, shedding what’s not needed, and preparing to turn around and rebuild again towards greater understanding on the next cycle,” Fry ruminates.

“New Moon,” the latest single from Fry’s band Name Sayers, focuses on another common lunar manifestation: sex.

“Sex is an exercise in oneness between two people,” muses Fry. “It’s a meditation where the two halves come together and energy rises. In that way, it becomes a microcosm of the original oneness.

“When you find someone you can do that with, it’s incredibly empowering and it puts you close to the essence of life on Earth,” he continues. “You might be doing that at this inward time of the month, when you’re really ready to get real with someone and do that deep meditation.”

The track, a midnight blaze of avant-folk and barefoot art-rock, grows spires of distorted guitars (electric, acoustic, and steel) over war-drum rhythms. Fry’s floating baritone presides over the ceremony, emitting poetry about lovers hiding out for a weekend, blending spirits, celebrating what is secret, and finding deeper levels of human interactions. Having spent most of the time performing under his Christian name, the former frontman of Gothic Americana act Salesman says that “New Moon” represents falling deeper into the dark rock territory of Name Sayers.

“Being in that band is like having a weekly meditation group,” offers Fry of the local quintet: bassist Grant Himmler, guitarist Garrett Hellman, Ricky Ray Jackson (of Phosphorescent and Happen-Ins) on pedal steel, and Dorian Colbert on drums. “We’re encouraging each other to go deep with our playing and writing. We don’t talk much, but we know we’re pushing each other sonically and listening to the heart.

“When I see my guys playing with the level of intensity they do, I’m forced to ask myself, ‘Have I written any bullshit? Am I making them play anything that’s not true and real?’ It makes us all have a more shock-proof shit detector. It’s got be as true as it can be and ‘New Moon’ is an example of that.”

“New Moon” shines as a true single, complete with an electronic B-side. It’s available digitally and on cassette through the Name Sayers Bandcamp page. The group’s full-length debut, Mantles, has been slated for 2017.

For now, you can catch the band live this coming Saturday, August 27, at the Parish with Lincoln Durham. Then they’re at Empire September 24 for East Cameron Folkcore’s album release show.

The next new moon is on Thursday, September 1. Screw all night.

B-side “Black Room New Moon:”