![\"Major](\"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Major-Player-500x500.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Jeff York and Liz Strodel of indie soul\/rock project Major Player kicked back\u00a0at a local bar to discuss wardrobe malfunctions, zodiac signs and how Major Player was almost a funk cover band. Amidst the silly antics, York and Strodel expressed serious enthusiasm\u00a0about the recent release of their debut album Grift & Gum<\/a>, <\/em>which was recorded, mixed and mastered at More Sound Studio.\u00a0Their playful demeanors in conversation slightly contradict the album’s make-up, which manifests a moodiness wrought with the emotional drudgery of deteriorating\u00a0relationships.<\/p>\n The somber title track offers minimalist guitar and drum work with Hammond organ weaving through ambiguous\u00a0lyrics. The song\u00a0grapples with the need to persevere in the face of an\u00a0uncertain fate. \u00a0York postulates “I laid down by better days\/Reach out for better days,” his words chased by echoing organ, produce a resounding emptiness\u00a0to match the dark intangible hope for a better future.<\/p>\n York notes how the straightforward instrumentation on the record affords the musicians wiggle room to improvise and experiment with live performances. Improvisation may become most necessary in instances when Strodel’s sticks weasel their way into the tangle of bracelets on her wrist, causing her to obscure\u00a0the beat. Such was the case during their December show at Funk ‘N Waffles<\/a> downtown, much to the audience’s amusement. York views these occasional hiccups as happy accidents explaining, “When she messes up, it sounds good.” Strodel jokingly mused how she can play down offbeat occurrences with an “I meant to do that” attitude.<\/p>\n