Total Babes

In 2010, Christopher Brown and Jayson Gerycz launched Total Babes in Medina, Ohio, creating a pop-punk outlet distinct from their acid rock outfit Swindella. Early drum work by Gerycz on Cloud Nothings recordings informed the group’s emphasis on propulsive, youthful alternative pop/rock. Old Flame Records issued their first full-length, Swimming Through Sunlight, in 2011, presenting a set of gleeful, distorted love songs. The 2015 follow-up, Heydays, appeared on Wichita Records—the European imprint tied to Cloud Nothings—and reflected a more mature approach, marked by transparent production alongside stronger songwriting and musicianship. Synthesizer parts came from John Elliott, formerly of ambient trio Emeralds and founder of the Spectrum Spools label; bass was supplied by Nathan Ward of Smooth Brain; and saxophone was contributed by Cloud Nothings frontman Dylan Baldi.