Nashville-based Trio MOM ROCK Release New Single "Real Tough Life"
NASHVILLE-BASED ROCK TRIO
MOM ROCK
RELEASE NEW SKA-INSPIRED SINGLE
“REAL TOUGH LIFE”
DEBUT EIGHT-TRACK ALBUM
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MOM ROCK
DUE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
Above: “Real Tough Life” Single Artwork
“MOM ROCK IS THE BEST YOUNG ROCK BAND YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF…”
– Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, June 30, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN (September 8, 2023) — Nashville-based rock trio, Mom Rock — Curtis Heimburger (vocals, guitar), Tara Maggiulli (bass, vocals) and Wilson Reardon (drums) — craft bouncy rock ‘n’ roll anthems charged up by airtight pop hooks and one-liners. Today, they deliver their new single, “Real Tough Life,” from their debut LP, Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock, due October 13.
The ska-inspired shuffle radiates with the high-energy of a quintessential Mom Rock tune and the hidden cynicism of classic pop punk songs, the track is a reality check wrapped up in a feel-good groove. The mantra-like refrain, “It’s a real tough life and you only get one try,” ignites before a wild fretboard-burning solo, leaving ample room for head-banging.
Stream / Download “Real Tough Life” here.
Pre-Save Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock here.
“Real Tough Life” catapults off the releases of their previous singles, “My Way” (June 30) and “Close Your Eyes” (August 4). “It’s a deceptively dark song disguised as a super dance-y number,” Tara explains. “It’s a tough life, we only get one, so don’t take it too seriously and be as ridiculous and outrageous as possible.” The band seemingly lives this mantra every day, jumping around stages in their matching jumpsuits and unapologetically rocking out until their heart’s content.
Above: Mom Rock; Credit: Kevin & King
(L to R): Wilson Reardon, Tara Maggiulli, Curtis Heimburger
On June 30, the trio released the punk rock lead single, “My Way.” Accompanied by an infomercial-style comedic music video, the tune charges out of the gate on a call-and-response between Tara and Curtis, hinging on a hummable and hard-hitting riff and galloping rhythm. The release of “Close Your Eyes” followed the release on August 4, a track that is sure to be blasting from car radios across the country, the bass-line snaking under palm-muted verses before climaxing on a floaty hook.
Mom Rock initially came to life back in 2017. As the story goes, the Vancouver-born Curtis met Wilson in class at Berklee College of Music. A year later, Long Island-native and Northeastern student Tara completed the lineup. Together, the musicians bonded over a shared obsession with The Cars and Weezer and quietly buzzed in the local scene. The group performed at the kind of house parties you’d see in turn-of-the-century R-rated comedies, but they immediately stuck out like a sore thumb (in the most coordinated way possible). “Everyone was wearing skinny jeans and flannels, so we looked like The Wiggles with our jumpsuits,” recalls Tara.
During 2019, an impromptu upload of “Conversation” tallied over 1.5 million Spotify streams. On its heels, “Grand Romantic Life” generated north of 3.5 million Spotify streams, followed by the I Wish Every Day Was Today EP [2020] and a song with a happy end EP [2021]. They also notably made waves as “Rolling Stone’s 2022 Hot Band” and toured with Spill Canvas in addition to gracing the bills of festivals a la Shaky Knees and Music Midtown.
2023 saw them assemble what would become Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock. “It synthesizes everything we’ve done previously, but in a more grown-up way,” Tara goes on. “We maintained the same catchy and danceable vibe. However, it’s a little more sophisticated. We tried to emulate how you would hear these songs live.”
“There’s something for everyone on this record,” she leaves off. “We combine a lot of different elements and sounds from various genres. For 25 minutes, we hope you forget about your worries, dance in the kitchen, and have a good time. That’s why we play music.”
Above: ‘Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock’ Album Artwork
In the end, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some wear capes, while others wear monochromatic jumpsuits, old school baseball uniforms, or matching lunch lady dresses. Mom Rock belongs to the latter category. Their powers may not avert existential catastrophe, but they can certainly rock a basement, boat, club, or festival stage.
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MOM ROCK TRACKLISTING:
“Something New For Free”
“My Way”
“Just So Fun”
“Close Your Eyes”
“Sometimes (I Wish)”
“Scumbag/Wetrag”
“More Than Happy”
“Real Tough Life”