YOUNG FRIEND ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM MOTORCYCLE SOUND EFFECTS DUE OUT APRIL 4, 2025 VIA NETTWERK
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Photo Credit: Zachary Vague // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
Today, Vancouver indie rocker and JUNO Award-nominated artist-producer young friend (Drew Tarves) announces his debut album, motorcycle sound effects, due out on April 4, 2025 via Nettwerk. Recorded in September 2022 and co-produced alongside David Marinelli (FINNEAS, JAWNY, Wallice), young friend sings about the nuances of growing up, capturing the people and experiences along the way. New track, “i like girls”, is the fourth single from the forthcoming album. The sentimental retro-pop banger shows off a catchy chorus and witty lyrics that pit Tarves as an anti-romantic with lines like, ‘She's been, Sleepin' at my apartment, Askin' what the line about stars meant, Honey I don't fucking know.’
On his debut album, Tarves describes the sound as a “genre-bending fever dream album,” taking inspiration from a variety of sources from Wilco and Adrienne Lenker to The Strokes and Porches.
“motorcycle sound effects is really just about growing up. It’s about the people you encounter and the experiences that make you into the person that you are,” explains Tarves. “I really wanted to capture all the sides of the coin; the shitty sides, the side where I was wrong, the side where I did the right thing, and it still didn't work out, the side where something is new and exciting and it's all you can think about, all of it.”
WATCH / SHARE “I LIKE GIRLS” HERE
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MORE ABOUT YOUNG FRIEND
Drew Tarves' music as young friend feels classic and immediate all at once, capturing the nostalgia of post-adolescence while diving deep into a pool of self-reflection. His next project is bursting with big feelings and perfect golden light. It feels messy and raw, like long summer nights piling into the back of a pickup truck with all your friends, sprinting to catch the last summer sunset, taking off your shoes and dancing in the grass, falling, getting back up.
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A trained dancer for most of his adolescence, the 24-year-old Vancouver native switched artistic disciplines after spending time jamming with his musician friends. "I found out very quickly that I loved it," he recalls. "It was my favorite thing to do." Armed with a guitar and a laptop, Tarves started hashing out early songwriting attempts on GarageBand as he found his own style that suited him: "It was all about experimenting while trying to find what worked for me."
WATCH / SHARE “GOLDEN RULE” HERE
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In 2022, Tarves released his indie-pop debut EP HOW DID WE GET HERE?, and quickly followed it up with a sophomore in 2023 titled scaredy cat. 2024 brought in his first Canadian and international touring, as well as a JUNO nomination. Now, young friend is prepping his debut full-length that’s produced by friend and frequent collaborator David Marinelli (FINNEAS, Ashe, Wallice, spill tab). The album pulls inspiration from a multitude of places and artists, landing in this comfy space of new and familiar while also making room for self-discovery. It will take you along for the ride of your life. “This album takes notes from a lot of different artists and bands that I really love, and as a result, it is this sort of genre-bending fever dream album.”
WATCH / SHARE “THE REAL DEAL” HERE
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YOUNG FRIEND IN THE PRESS
"...fuzzy, jangly and all kinds of refreshing, sauntering through glitzy indie-rock riffs and headstrong, energetic rhythms." – Paste Magazine
"...young friend has established himself as a rising act in heartfelt pop, building an expansive sonic world brimming warm nostalgia and self-reflection." –EARMILK
"young friend keeps it casual and cheeky, but can’t help but charm listeners as the chorus melts into an earnest admission." – Ones to Watch
"...summer anthems that sound otherworldly..." –SHEESH MEDIA
"One remarkable aspect of songwriting is the ability to paint a picture. It’s a rare talent, being able to use words to create a visceral image within the mind of a listener. With his slow-burn acoustic pop hits, young friends has mastered this art." – V Magazine
MOTORCYCLE SOUND EFFECTS TRACKLIST
1. golden rule
2. loose
3. american spirit
4. eye to eye
5. thank you for the ride
6. sweet tooth
7. stranger
8. the real deal
9. trouble
10. soft light
11. i like girls
12. boyfriend material
