HM is proud to stream the latest record from Polyvalent, Want.
POLYVALENT is a new collaborative project by Mark Nicks of Cool Hand Luke and Robbie Williamson of Quiet Science. Mark and Robbie met while touring together in their respective bands. For Cool Hand Luke’s final album, “Of Man”, Mark recruited Robbie to play bass on three songs and they had a very good working relationship. After completing the final Cool Hand Luke tour, moving to Orlando, and starting seminary, Mark started writing sketches of songs for something new. When it came time to flesh them out and bring them to life, Mark called Robbie, and POLYVALENT was the result.
POLYVALENT’S sound is decidedly different from either Mark’s or Robbie’s previous music. The two decided to write music that was inspired by sounds that they both loved but had never been able to play in their other bands. Mark handles drums and vocals and occasionally guitar. Robbie handles guitar and bass. The songs that have resulted are dark, dynamic guitar-driven songs that are generally a bit faster and a bit less pretty than what many have come to expect from Mark’s songwriting.
POLYVALENT has a broad spectrum of influences that range from Interpol and The Strokes to Fugazi and Metz. While you can hear hints of each of these influences, the result is a sound that is distinctly POLYVALENT. Mark’s lyrics are deeply personal, drawing from his experiences as a husband, as a Christian, and as an adult trying to find his place.
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