Riding the wave of their recent singles released last month, “dayz gone” and “black lodge breakfast burrito (limited time only),” Tulsa-based band Cliffdiver makes a splash, unveiling their sophomore album birdwatching along with their newest single and music video, “going for the garbage plate,” featuring Stoph Colasanto of Carpool.
“goin’ for the garbage plate” is an energetic and heartfelt track that explores the challenges of navigating through a depressive episode. It seamlessly blends elements of emo and pop-punk, highlighting the band’s versatility with intricate synth embellishments and vibrant saxophone riffs from Dony Nickles. Singers Joey Duffy and Bri Wright complement each other with a range of harmonies, while Wright’s ad-libs add an extra dynamic to the song.
When speaking of the song, guitarist and vocalist Matt Eheler writes: “This track screams classic Cliffdiver to me. A perfect combination of pop, rock, big hooks, and complimenting sax riffs. It dives into the feelings of loneliness you experience during depressive episodes and reveals that even through work and seeming progress, at times, nothing feels like it’s changing. This was a song we really wanted a guest feature on, and Stoph from Carpool came through with the spot-on lyrics and vocal delivery that really hit the point home. Some of my favorite guitar riffs and tones came to be on this song and really makes it feel powerful and anthemic.”
From the track to the music video, everything about “goin’ for the garbage plate” feels nostalgic and reminiscent of the early 2000s pop-punk era.
Alongside this release came the announcement of Cliffdiver’s sophomore album, birdwatching. The record serves as a reflection of profound personal transformation among the band members. Sparked by a near-fatal accident involving bassist Tyler Rogers during a tour, the close brush with death prompted guitarist Matt Ehler to take up bird-watching himself as a way to recenter.
When citing their earlier releases, Wright explains, “I wanted to stop talking about what’s wrong with us. …I wanted to find out what happens after you’ve done all your introspection and kicked some addictions. A yearning to move past your shit. A yearning to feel good enough for other people.” This shows within their music, their tracks, and lyrics calling for self-reflection.
“We can make changes for the better so it doesn’t hurt as bad as it used to,” Duffy concludes. “Once we realize we’re not the only ones that feel this way, you can say: Maybe the system is fucked, and maybe we’re all fucked — but we’re not alone.”
Check out their recent single “goin’ for the garbage plate,” featuring Stoph Colasanto of Carpool, and stay tuned for their sophomore album, Birdwatching, set to drop on September 20th on SideOneDummy:
The band is currently on tour with The Early November. Tour dates below:
cliffdiver & The Early November Tour Dates
Thursday, July 11 @ Trees, Dallas, TX
Friday, July 12 @ Orlando, FL, The Beacham
Saturday, July 13 @ The Masquerade , Atlanta, GA
Sunday, July 14 @ Eastside Bowl , Nashville, TN
Tuesday, July 16 @ Canal Club , Richmond, VA
Wednesday, July 17 @ Union Stage , Washington, DC
Thursday, July 18 @ Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ
Friday, July 19 @ The Sinclair, Boston, MA
