Plattsburgh NY indie rockers Adrian Aardvark Releasing Label Debut on Epifo Music

Epifo Music will release Adrian Aardvark's latest release, Dying Optimistically, digitally on April 20. A limited-edition vinyl edition will be available online at the band's website and at Adrian Aardvark's concerts.

Adrian Aardvark offers a unique brand of rock and roll that is highly energetic, completed with costumes, theatrics, introspective lyrics, and solid grooves. The Plattsburgh, New York 4-piece is fronted by songwriter Christopher Jay Stott-Rigsbee and accompanied by Shannon Stott-Rigsbee on violin, Catherine Harrison-Wurster on upright bass, and Christopher Lee Shacklett on drums.

The forthcoming album Dying Optimistically embraces unequivocal passion in an ongoing search for good in the human condition. In the sprightly backdrop of Adrian Aardvark's songscape, the group strives to atone with the world at large. Imagine the chaotic energy of The Cramps counterbalanced by the emotive fragility of Daniel Johnston -- battles against anxiety, depression, and sexual identity are contrasted by explorations of romantic love and acceptance of the self, amplified in a wall of energy. The album was produced by Brendon Massei of Viking Moses in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lush string arrangements, enticing drumming, and anthemic vocals showcase the collaborators' creative dynamism. The bizarre and loving beauty of this record is visually supplemented by Jon Vermilyea's surreal album artwork.

Christopher Jay is an avid supporter of Donate Life America. In 2014 he donated 65% of his liver to bandmate Catherine's father, George, which saved his life. In 2015 Shannon and Christopher Jay were married and this year Christopher Lee has also joined the Stott-Rigsbee household. These events have made the band members and their families intimately close.

Fun facts: Catherine is an animal whisperer and a seamstress who enjoys making her own clothes and Adrian Aardvark's souvenir patches by hand. Christopher Lee can usually be found either meditating or enjoying his favorite pastime practicing archery; either way, he'll be naked. Shannon thinks dinosaurs still live among us and wishes she could live solely on pizza and ice cream.

Adrian Aardvark has performed with Tyler Daniel Bean, Jay Arner, Mary Ocher, Hello Shark, Viking Moses, Lung, Real Live Tigers, Lucid, Joey Agresta, GEPH, The Big Drops, Lobo Marino, and Assateague, among others.

Epifo Music is a boutique record label, music publisher, and artist development firm founded by Brendon Massei and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information, visit epifomusic.com.