Both the album title, Bite Down, and her lead single, Rewind, underpin Rosali‘s approach to life – living in the moment and riding out the good times and the bad with equal vigour. The North Carolina-based songwriter and guitarist Rosali Middleman releases Bite Down on March 22nd, which also marks her Merge debut. Her last album, No Medium, was released in 2021 (listen to Lost in Transmission No. 80). However, she also released an improvisational guitar album last year on Worried Songs under the moniker Edsel Axle titled Variable Happiness – a hint of how serenity is found within acceptance. On Bite Down, she is once again joined by David Nance (bass, guitar), James Schroeder (guitar, synth) and Kevin Donahue (drums, percussion). They are also joined by Destroyer collaborator Ted Bois (keys)
“I started writing the majority of Bite Down after moving to North Carolina in the fall of 2021. The album traces two cross-country moves, including saying goodbye to my longtime home of Philadelphia,” Rosali explains. “I resolved to bite down on the proverbial bullet; sink my teeth into the flesh and bone of being in the world, devouring the obstacles in my path and gloriously savoring all that is on offer—good and bad. Give me another serving, another moment, another challenge, give me another chance to meet life with insatiable hunger.”
Of lead single “Rewind,” Rosali says, “I want what I do with my time to matter and to reject regret for even the difficult moments are worthy in how they reveal wisdom and initiate growth. I would do it all over again (i.e. rewind) knowing the challenges in life are not meant to be disdained, as much as the joys and pleasures are not meant to be the goal. Being present allows us to become more whole and rounded as people, with love being the way to move through. Not just the romantic kind but all the forms of love, desire and excitement that push us through to the next day.”
The song is accompanied by a self-directed video – retro-analogue fun and madness ensue…what’s not to love?
Bite Down Tracklist
1. On Tonight
2. Rewind
3. Hills on Fire
4. My Kind
5. Bite Down
6. Hopeless
7. Slow Pain
8. Is It Too Late
9. Change Is in the Form
10. May It Be on Offer
Rosali Tour Dates
Tue. March 19 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall
Thu. March 21 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest
Sat. March 23 – Seattle, WA @ Clock-Out Lounge *
Sun. March 24 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios *
Tue. March 26 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop *
Wed. March 27 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium *
Thu. March 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room *
Fri. March 29 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *
Sat. March 30 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room *
Sun. March 31 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Dirty Drummer
Tue. April 2 – Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas
Wed. April 3 – New Orleans, LA @ Siberia
Thu. April 4 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Fri. April 5 – Asheville, NC @ Eulogy
Sat. April 6 – Durham, NC @ The Pinhook
Tue. April 9 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
Wed. April 10 – Kingston, NY @ Tubby’s
Thu. April 11 – Boston, MA @ The Rockwell
Fri. April 12 – New York, NY @ Knitting Factory at Baker Falls
Sat. April 13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Mon. April 15 – Toronto, ON @ Monarch Tavern
Thu. April 18 – Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle
Sat. April 20 – Omaha, NE @ O’Leaver’s
* supporting Mary Timony