Seattle Synth Rockers Aqueduct to Release First LP Power Ballads on Streaming Services

Listen to a song ahead of its July 26th digital debut

May 2, 2024May 3, 2024 Ron Hart 0 Comments Aqueduct, Ben Gibbard, David Terry, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Oklahoma, Power Ballads, Seattle, The Starlight Mints, Tulsa, Washington

It was a little over 21 years ago when David Terry relocated from Tulsa, OK, to Seattle, WA, to follow his synth rock dreams.

Formerly of the acclaimed alt rock outfit Epperley, Terry would soon transform himself into Aqueduct, a one-man band immersed in synths and drum machines that helped drive the sound of his new project’s debut LP Power Ballads.

“After 20 years, I’m stunned at what an awesome opening chapter Power Ballads is in the Aqueduct catalog” says Terry. “I can pick out and name each synth in the mix, instantly transporting me back to my days scouring eBay and Pawnshops for cool keyboards.”

Aqueduct Power Ballads, Aqueduct Music 2003/2024

Power Ballads, first released on February 23, 2003, was created prior to his move to the Jet City, and soon became a valuable calling card once he hit town. In fact, within 12 hours of being in Seattle, he found himself opening for Modest Mouse at The Showbox. Meanwhile, Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard picked up a copy of Power Ballads, and became a fast fan. Soon enough, based on the suggestion of his friends back home in the Starlight Mints, Terry connected with local indie-pop powerhouse Barsuk Records, who would release the next Aqueduct title in 2004’s Pistols at Dawn EP along with two more full-lengths, 2005’s I Sold Gold and 2007’s Or Give Me Death.

Power Ballads, however, woefully went out of print once Terry sold his allotment of CDs on tour, and the album has never been made available on streaming services. That is, however, until July 26th, when it hits all the digital platforms for the very first time.

For Terry, the notion of having Power Ballads back out there is confirmation that his early years of working without a net was very much worth the risk.

“Looking back at what I accomplished is so inspiring to me now, as I reinvigorate this project and creativity within myself” explains Terry. “I wrote some songs, I produced my own record, from studio to manufacturing. I booked my own shows, I brought the sound of my brain to new audiences, designed my own artwork, screen printed my own merch. I remind myself: No matter how hard the immediate future feels, at whatever precipice you stand before, the only way is forward motion. Do what you love, and in my case, make good music.”

Aqueduct “Post Rock & Slightly Seasoned,” Aqueduct Music 2024

Yet while the re-release of Power Ballads into the wild is still a couple of months away, Rock & Roll Globe is honored to exclusively share one of the album’s best tracks, “Post Rock & Slightly Seasoned,” today on the site.

“I say, sometimes less is more and the spark of an idea is the complete picture,” Terry tells us of the tune’s lo-fi approach. “Written and demo’d in a garage apartment flow state, I recorded ‘Post Rock & Slightly Seasoned’ straight to my Fostex 8-track. The captive atmosphere lies in the minimalism; classical guitar, dictaphone-vocals, synthesizer, marching drum machine and distortion blazing from a tiny Peavey Rage amplifier, looming large as a battalion of noise, lyrically spinning my wry, short take on insecurity. A studio version was attempted, mixed and considered, but fittingly, the magic of the moment is the demo version, and ultimately my choice for Power Ballads.”

Give a listen below and follow Aqueduct on BandCamp or Facebook for more information.