Hudson Valley shoegaze/dream pop band Battle Ave is officially back after a six year hiatus. Their new self-titled EP comes out October 8th and was produced by Kevin McMahon — a renowned sonic wizard in his own right. In the six years since Battle Ave’s last release, "Year of Nod," the band members have navigated fatherhood, graduate school, and the cancer diagnosis of drummer Samantha Niss. "My Year With The Wizard" showcases the band's ability to find hooks in the most unlikely of places — combining a bright, high-energy chorus lift with a moody verse cadence that is full of distorted guitar and ambient chaos.

Originally formed in 2009 by Niss and guitarist/vocalist Jesse Doherty, the group connected over their love of ambient arrangements, orchestral epics, and the ramshackle indie-rock of the early 90’s. Now with ever more life and shared experience to draw from, the creative collaboration that is Battle Ave's heart beats stronger than ever: leveraging sustained friendship and trust between contributors to craft an evocation of the human experience that is both vital and potent. Threading the needle between a wizened cult retro sound and modern lo-fi indie rock, "My Year With The Wizard" provides an enigmatic moment of genuine wonder dressed with the trappings of self criticism: how deeply are we to blame for the ruthless machinations of destiny — and what part does our own personality have to play in this?

My year with the wizard was a long one
You act like a friend, but you’re the wrong one
I call on the phone, i need an answer
Why don’t you want the truth?

My year with the devil was a sad one
You look for yourself inside a bad one
And everyone knows that this is nowhere
How do you sleep at night?

My year with the lovers wasn’t worth it
I asked for too much, i think i cursed it
I asked for the kill, but not the question
What do you want from me?

Visit Battle Ave on Instagram.

Press photo courtesy of Molly Doherty.