Three years ago, local songwriter and artist Callum Dingley reached out to Jack Behrens. “Dude, we could make some real, like folk lofi stuff if you’re interested, and he said like ‘I’m so interested,’” said Dingley. From there, the local band Federal Heights was born. The duo started as a casual collaboration between friends and quickly evolved into a more serious creative project rooted in shared musical influences and experimentation.
At the end of March, the blossoming band released “Electronic Hell b/w The Call.” Federal Heights previous songs, a five-song interlude, and self-titled first album, were indie folk, a vibe I would consider similar to Mac DeMarco. The previous songs have laid-back instrumentals and mellow but upbeat vocals.
“Electronic Hell” and “The Call” take a turn from this, and I think the vibe switch was a success. “Electronic Hell” is an indie, almost rock song, with a catchy and upbeat tune. The song is driven by more energetic guitar work and a fuller, more dynamic arrangement that signals the band’s willingness to push beyond their original style. Whereas ‘The Call’ almost gives a yacht rock, Nirvana-esque vibe. The song blends smooth melodic elements with a subtle edge that creates a unique and unexpected listening experience.
A production shift
When they got their start, their first album was finished much more quickly compared to the A-side and B-side singles. “We wrote those songs over a year ago now, and the production and the arranging of the other parts just took so much longer and we put so much more work into it,” Said Dingley. This extra tender love and care shows in these tracks. Previously, the band recorded on tape, which comes with its own set of limitations. The editing process is much more condensed, as editing abilities on cassette tapes are limited compared to recording digitally. “Suddenly, if there is something I want to change, I can change it,” said Dingley on the digital editing process. “That’s a can of worms that I did not like being open.” Despite the new workload created by recording digitally, the release of Federal Heights’ new singles highlights how the extra time and effort have paid off in a more polished musical direction.
Along with the shift in production that’s causing challenges for the steady stream of music, bandmate Behrens is studying across the country in Maine. This adds a layer of logistical difficulty as the band navigates long-distance collaboration while trying to maintain their evolving sound and creative momentum.
The release of these songs, originally written during the process of creating their second album but ultimately left off the final tracklist, offers a unique glimpse into a different side of Federal Heights’ evolving sound. While the band doesn’t currently have concrete plans for what comes next, these singles stand as a compelling and well-crafted release that highlights a clear shift in their approach to music production and signals exciting potential for their future direction.