Gretchen DeVault is an indie-pop veteran. She steered tweepop band The Icicles through years of acclaimed albums and high-profile deals with Target and Motorola in the early 2000s. When in 2016 she moved to Los Angeles, DeVault reached out to her indie-music network to find collaborators for a new project. She connected with accomplished guitarist Ian Patrick (History of Manners) and The Francine Odysseys was formed. Today, DeVault and Patrick find themselves amongst a newer generation of indiepop artists like Jay Som, The Beths, and Alvvays, who all share the love for the musical heroes of their own past like, The Sundays, Yo La Tengo, Ocean Blue etc.
Last year, The Francine Odysseys were joined by fellow musicians Mike Butkovic and John Miller to record their first single “Round & Round ” and after its release, they recorded their debut EP “What If We Were Wrong?”, which sees the light today, alongside their new single “Hide Your Eyes“. “Hide Your Eyes” is a wistful dream/jangle-pop track with postpunk and folky influences in which Gretchen‘s crystal vocals are backed beautifully by Patrick‘s warmer tones : it’s easy on the ears, drifting gently like a summer breeze, anticipating open roads… If you fancy that sort of mood, do check out the rest of the EP, it will be worth it!