About Me
Upon first listen, Welcome to the Family, the debut album from Indianapolis-based alt-folk/ ya'llternative quartet Middletown, seems like a sunny afternoon on the porch. It doesn't take long, however, to realize that behind the rich melodies, lush harmonies, and creative arrangements lie a record that runs the gamut of emotions. Exploring topics from love to loss, heartache to joy, and everything in between, songwriters Tad Armstrong, Aaron Vaughn Stroup, and Stasia Demos deliver a record both beautiful and alarming in it's sincerity and sentiment. Family, relationships, and the struggle to reconcile that old time religion and modern-day spirituality are ongoing themes throughout the record. From the opening of the first song, marked by the voice of Josephine Armstrong, Tad's 2-year-old daughter, Welcome to the Family is a 12 song rocky road that takes you past all the landmarks of the human condition. Songs like title track 'Welcome to the Family,' as well as 'Billy Joe,' 'Family Practice,' and 'Middletown' examine both sides of the relationship coin. 'Call on Me,' a raucous barn-burner of a traditional style gospel song hearkens back to the band's country and bluegrass roots, while stand out tracks 'Wonderful Feeling' and 'Awful lot of Trouble' illustrate how aptly Middletown can function as an alternative country rock band. Produced by local legends Vess Ruhtenberg (Juliana Hatfield, Kim Fox, John Mellencamp) and Lon Paul Ellrich (Sardina, Marmoset, Mysteries of Life), the record was recorded in 8 days at the duo's Queensize Twin Air studio in Indy and contains numerous guest performances by the legendary Peter Holsapple (REM, the dbs, Continental Drifters) on mandolin and organ.
