Multiverse Tirade

Bennett Dampier: “I Hate You”

Based on one fossil of a film franchise, we’ve pretty much come to belief that most archaeologists have some sort of a side hustle. And although they haven’t had escapades like Indy’s quite yet, today we’re digging into Austin’s Bennett Dampier. Dampier recently wrapped up his Master’s in Archaeology at Texas State, which is impressive on its own but doubly so considering he split that time writing and recording his debut album.

Produced by David Ramirez/Big Bill drummer Jeffrey Olson and Heartless Bastards/Star Parks bassist Sam Pankey, Multiverse Tirade stacks nine tracks into a neat little package. The LP’s chock-full of Dampier’s friends for a real “who’s who” of Austin talent from projects like PR Newman, Annabelle Chairlegs, CAPYAC, Motenko, Batty, Jr., and more. Conceptually a break-up record, each arrangement, each choice of players corresponds with a specific stage of post-relationship coping, collectively into one heck of an emotional experience.

So while we await Multiverse Tirade‘s release date, Dampier’s given us a galloping skiffle-orchestral original to tide us over ’til next week. At just over three minutes, the folksy psych harmonies and melancholy trot of “I Hate You” make it sound like an unreleased B-Side from the Get Back/Let It Be sessions, albeit defined by Dampier’s own McCartney-esque charm.