EP Premiere: Rally Point "Transitional At Best"
Album Art by Madeleine Cioppi
Rally Point is an indie-emo math rock band from Philadelphia, PA formed in September 2017 by non-binary guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Anna Gentile (they/them). The band features Alyssa Almeida (she/her) on cello, Jesse Fogg (he/him) on bass, and Packie Cronin (he/him) on drums.
Transitional at Best is a 7-track EP that ventures into dark and moody territory. It features bass-forward riffs, manic drums, heavy guitar, dank cello riffs, and emotive vocals. Overarching themes on the record include loss of control (B.O.A.F., Thank You (You're Welcome)), searching for meaning inside and outside of oneself (Thank You (You're Welcome), Shadow Puppet), the death of a friend (Heavy Weight Champ), dependent relationships (B.O.A.F., I Bought You An Orca), skating and having fun (Daisy Petals), and learning to gain control over one's own life (Shadow Puppet, MOOM). This record reminds me a lot of Pool Kids debut Music to Practice Safe Sex To. We are very excited to premiere this EP a day early so check it out below!
Rally Point is definitely a band’s band, and I mean that in the best possible way, meaning that I think any musicians are really going to admire the technicalities behind the music. 80% of digital proceeds are going to the Philadelphia Community Fridge (a mutual aid org which provides free food for many people around the city-- https://linktr.ee/phlcommunityfridge/)
Photo Credit: Jenique Jeffers
- Anna, you mentioned earlier that you are the primary songwriter for Rally Point. What is your writing process usually like?
When it comes to writing music for Rally Point, the guitar parts usually come to me first. Then the vocal melody or lyrics, if the song lends itself to having that. The music I write is all inspired by things I go through in life, as I write music to process the world around me. It's my favorite and most comfortable way of interacting with the world. After I write the bones of a song, I then bring my ideas to practice and we jam them out and expand on stuff. Jesse (our bassist) is great at coming up with more "unconventional" ideas, such as meter changes or odd syncopation’s. Alyssa, (our cellist) helps a lot with adding texture and connecting the harmony. The best parts of songs that we write all come out when we are just improvising, which is why I record all of our practices, so we don't forget things. A lot of times we will intuitively transition into the next section of a song without needing to map it out or talk it through. Packie is super versatile behind the kit. He can adapt to any feeling change or meter shift. He has even brought some ideas to the band that end up being the bones of a song, such as our song "The Dot Ott Trot" from our first EP About Time. In general, I think we all try to challenge each other to write the best songs we can together. I love that about Rally Point. We all have the ability and skill to write a 3 chord pop song, or learn a piece of music verbatim, but we all just want to be weird and odd in accessible and fun ways, which I think is unique.
- How does your queer/non-binary identity play a part in your music & creative life?
I feel as though being a musician has allowed me to find like-minded people that I can relate to and who validate my queer/nonbinary identity. I am so grateful to have made so many friends while gigging and through online music communities. These friends have helped me feel welcome in my own skin, even in times where I struggle to give myself that kindness.
- If you could book a Dream Tour, and Rally Point can open on a tour for any 2 artists, who would you all choose to tour with?
Anna: Paramore and Delta Sleep
Packie: The Japanese House and Bright Eyes
Alyssa: Jungle and Little Tybee
Jesse: Town Portal and Alpha Male Tea Party