Red Pants are the duo Jason Lambeth and Elsa Nekola from Madison, Wisconsin. The two have been making music together for the last five years, with Elsa mostly on drums and Jason on mostly everything else. After a couple of singles and three Ep in 2018, the duo released the first album, Distortion And Snow, on Painted Blonde, in 2019, and, three years later, a second album, When We Were Dancing, on the same label in collaboration with the superb Paisley Shirt Records. Their latest album, Not Quite There Yet, out now via Meritorio Records, was recorded by Jason & Elsa at The Foundry & The Green Monster, from February 2022 to July 2023, and masted by Álvaro Lissón. Nearly all of the songs on the new album are sung by Jason, but Elsa branches out to singing lead vocals and adds other instrumentation with Jason’s noise pop arrangements. For fans of 90’s Yo La Tengo or Sonic Youth, early Blonde Redhead, with brushes of Trish Keenan melodies.

What Jason Says: “Not Quite There Yet is our third full length album and our first with Meritorio Records. Some tidbits about the album… Although it only has nine songs, it’s our longest album at thirty minutes. Although Elsa has always been a major contributor, this is the first time she has brought in a full song (Rockwell Kent) to a release. We spent over a year (sporadically) working on it, which is a long time for us! The album cover was made from destroying a book called Arithmetic For You.” 

His Mixtape:

Lewsberg – An Ear To The Chest

I’ll start things off with my current obsession, Lewsberg. I can’t get enough of their new album. I love how clean it sounds without sounding over produced. Every instrument and voice is just so perfect.

Special Friend -
Applause

Applause! Special Friend is hands down one of my favorite bands that I’ve discovered over the last few years. I love this never-ending riff and then wild solo that finishes off the song.

Ex Pilots -
Bad Aibling


Another of my 2023 obsessions. This album by Ex Pilots and their brother band, Gaadge, will most likely be near the top of my end of year list. I think this is mostly recorded on a 4-track, as an avid four track user, it’s something to aspire to!





Moon Racer – Friendly Ghost

Speaking of 4-tracks… In 2018 I was just beginning to play music again after a five year hiatus and I discovered this album by Moon Racer. It showed me that yes, people still make music on their 4-tracks, so I dug mine out and got to work.





Tony Jay – The Switch Of The Light


I could fill an entire playlist of music from the Bay Area. I don’t know what’s going on over there. Every time I turn around there’s a new band or a new album that is better than the last. And one of the most consistent of them all is Tony Jay. This track is from his new album that recently came out and the whole thing is classic Tony Jay. 






Yo La Tengo – False Alarm

We often get compared to Yo La Tengo and for good reason, I love them! I’m a big fan of when Ira switches over to the organ and I never get sick of hearing this song. They’ll never not be an inspiration.

Low – Lies


I feel so, so lucky that I was able to see Low on their last tour. The loss of Mimi Parker was utterly devastating. There’s something to love in every Low album. Today I’m picking Lies from Ones and Sixes because it started this incredible three album run that cemented them as one of my all time favorite bands. I’m also picking it because Mimi shines in the bridge of this song.

Not Quite There Yet is out now via Meritorio Records. Look HERE for more information on Red Pants.