SPOTLIGHT: Bugsy Finds Solace in Solitude in "Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone"
BUGSY WANTS TO TELL YOU THAT IT’S OKAY TO BE ALONE — Bugsy’s musical tapestry unfolds within the intimate confines of their bedroom, where the creative process becomes a solitary act of self-discovery. The Minneapolis-based indie-punk band listens empathetically and reflects solitude into an emotional cacophony in their latest EP release Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone. Formed by vocalist/guitarist Emily Schoonover, guitarist Griffen Desai, bassist Shannon Maroney and drummer Al Norman, Bugsy ruminates on finding solace in seclusion.
Photography Credit: Bethunni Schreiner
Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone features six songs that illuminate the dark corners of Bugsy’s heart. As the first full-length project in three years since their debut 2020 EP release Teratoma, Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone reintroduces the band as a powerful vessel for transitions that are introspective, heartfelt and comforting.
“Our sound and visuals are like a messy craft drawer,” Schoonover says. “Almost all the visual aspects are a combination of mixed media like teeth, hair, yarn and embroidery. I feel like musically it's a similar thing, and it feels like a collage where I write a song and everyone brings in their own part. Everyone has different inspirations that they draw from, so it’s like sewing a bunch of us as people and musicians together.”
Serving as a reemergence that sets the tone for the EP, in “town crier,” Bugsy crafts an atmosphere where solitude is not just acknowledged, but embraced and reclaimed amidst the stillness. The emotional landscape painted by Bugsy is raw and unfiltered, inviting listeners into vulnerable spaces where solitude and self-discovery intersect. In the lyrics, “Look at how much I’ve grown / Now I spend all of my time alone / Unidolize and practice self forgiveness,” speak to the vulnerability of unearthing a new sense of purpose and being content with spending weekends alone.
Opening with an assertive guitar riff, “Tiger Beetle” emerges as a standout, wielding a harder punch that demands attention. The indie-punk soundscaping is pronounced, creating a visceral atmosphere that compliments the intensity of the lyrics. At the helm, Schoonover, with their commanding vocals and poignant guitar work, guides the listener through a thematic exploration of self-acceptance being paramount in navigating life’s complexities that’s heard throughout the mantra, “if you don’t know who you are, then you can’t fight back.” Through candid and introspective lyricism, Bugsy doesn’t shy away from the challenges of self-discovery and the inherent strength that comes with confronting one’s own identity.
Throughout “soup,” Bugsy not only adds a distinctive flavor to Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone, but also reinforces their ability to seamlessly blend emotional depth with a high-energy musical backdrop. “Soup” takes on a more grunge approach, embracing an intentional blend of aggressiveness and vulnerability.
During a period of introspection, Schoonover reflected on their younger selves as they underwent intense changes becoming more assertive and expressive by spending time alone. Though a portion of the songs were inspired by traumatic scenarios, they were written in a way that left a lot of ambiguity. Schoonover recalls being in a toxic relationship and working through writing about traumatic experiences in their songwriting.
“How can I write about something personal that happened without naming the thing,” Schoonover asks. “How do I hold the line between being vulnerable, but also protecting my privacy?”
The bedroom setting becomes a sacred space where Bugsy navigates the depths of their artistic expression. The echo of intricate instrumentals in “inchworm” and “oh well” serves not only as a musical backdrop, but as a companion in the exploration of self. “Inchworm” finds Bugsy not only confronting the shadows, but finding healing through the act of creation. The melodies echo with a sense of catharsis, as if each chord played and every lyric sung is a step towards inner healing and acceptance.
As Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone comes to a close, “recluse” paints its melodies with blood, acceptance unaccompanied by forgiveness. Grief is meticulously carved into defiance, loneliness grows into ardor and uncertainty awakens with clarity. The evocative lyrics, “While I steered from the passenger’s side / Arm over the spot where our fingers first touched / When his truck spun out / No forgiveness / No resentment,” reveal a car crash that becomes both a physical and metaphorical collision in the face of inevitable chaos.
The second verse introduces a different facet of the narrative, with references to glass shards and an individual drawn to bad luck. Schoonover describes it as holding up a mirror to someone, where the shattered glass becomes a metaphor for bad luck.
“‘Recluse’ was crazy because the first verse was about getting into a car crash and me steering to try to help, but it also felt like a metaphor for trying to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped, and you both fucking crash,” Schoonover says. “The second verse was about someone who likes bad luck. It is inspired by a literal situation where someone stepped on my grandma’s mirror and I had to pick glass out of their feet. The lyrics came off as if I’m showing you a mirror of yourself and that broken mirrors symbolize bad luck.”
As Bugsy's bedroom becomes the crucible for their artistic alchemy, the result is a collage of experiences that transcend the confines of the physical space. In the vulnerability of their melodies and the honesty of their lyrics, Bugsy’s sound is an invitation to discover the beauty that can be found in silence. Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone reminds listeners that it’s okay to be alone, for within that solitude, they can unearth their most profound truths.
