Chicago-based Harvey Fox to release 'Lullabies for the Restless,' a spooky, mind-boggling and equally anxious addition to October

Courtesy Harvey Fox. Photo by Edgar Lomeli.

Chicago-based band Harvey Fox's new record "Lullabies for the Restless" is set to release Sunday at Sleeping Village. Like most things about the month of October, lead vocalist and guitarist Colin Fox says the LP-release show should be pretty spooky; regardless of having put off the new record's release at least once before, there's no better time like Halloween time for "Lullabies for the Restless" to be given to the universe. A little gift of all-things mind-boggling, surreal and dreamlike. Sounds like perfect timing to me.

"I really like the concept of trying to musically accomplish the same sort of thing where you're listening through [the music] and you don't really understand what's happening, and you kind of have to make your own story," Fox comments on the soon-to-be-released record and how for the most part the band—made up of Fox on vocals and guitar, Dario Velazquez on drums, Tom Garvey on Bass and Drake Morey on synth—has been influenced by "The Twilight Zone" and "Black Mirror," among other dark art, black riddles and puzzles of the like.

As is fully acceptable and completely on-brand for October, specifically this month of October—one I've spent countless hours viewing for the first time and/or rewatching works from David Lynch, including but not limited to "Mulholland Drive," "Wild at Heart" and "Twin Peaks: The Return"—Fox and I discuss how Lynch is the perfect example of the type of art Harvey Fox aims to put out into this strange, oftentimes unsettling world. "The record was really inspired by ... things that sort of like manipulate your mind as you watch them," Fox says.

Harvey Fox released a single prior to the full release of the record titled "Pictures of Herself," and listeners are immediately drawn in by its opening dream-like keys somewhat resembling a music box pulled from one's childhood. It's cute. But from the sound of the lyrics, the upbeat yet smooth synths, mesmerizing strumming of the guitar and soft drumming hide what is much more of a heartbreaking ballad about love and loss. Despite the Debbie-Downer lyricism, the recently released track boasts a smooth and exciting slow-dance-worthy melody and even at one point offers what sounds like chimes—if you could audibly hear hear sparkles, this would be it. It's magical. There are definite "Twilight Zone" tones here.

Courtesy Harvey Fox. Album art for "Pictures of Herself," released Sept. 27, 2019.

Apart from the single, "Lullabies for the Restless"—Fox notes Jessica Blanchet played a big part in the writing process for the album and also recorded all of the backing vocals—in its entirety has blown the minds of those who had been graced the gift of hearing it before the Oct. 20 release, Fox says. "From the couple of people [whom] I've shown the record, they've mentioned they've felt like they went through every human experience possible over the course of the record," he adds.

"I think the goal of 'Lullabies for the Restless' is the idea that we're always going to be in this sort of restless state. How do you feel at ease amongst endless turmoil?"

"Lullabies for the Restless" plays a lot into that idea of attempting to feel at ease yet never knowing what life will spring upon you next. Fox explains this "anxiety" is manifested throughout the record in how the songs flow in their own chaotic way; the album can go from, he describes, a really heavy song to a really soft song, and so on. With such an untraditional pattern, listeners won't know what to expect next. "There's sort of that level of absurdity in that level of dynamics that [listeners] don't expect to occur; it flows like white water rapids," Fox says.

The impact of anxiety is prevalent throughout the new Harvey Fox record in more personal ways as well, Fox says, as social anxiety has played a major role in his own life, especially at shows over the years. Although Chicago has been a key aspect in the support and growth of Harvey Fox, Fox says he feels the band has never really fit in anywhere in the local scene. That idea, along with the pressure to be sociable, talk with and greet everyone at shows and even perform on stage, has led to bouts of anxiety and an eventual break from everything involving the music scene, as Fox explained in an interview with ANCHR Magazine and again during our chat. Still, Chicago has done a lot of good for Harvey Fox and Fox personally.

"One thing that we really love about Chicago is that everybody's pretty much down to hear whatever, as long as they like it," Fox says. "The fact that people are just so receptive to [your music]—it's really exciting and makes us feel at home here. Everyone you come in contact with has been super supportive and really welcoming to us."

Courtesy Harvey Fox. Photo by Daryl Wilkerson.

Harvey Fox has somewhat attempted to advocate for mental health, Fox says. He explains that during his break from music and making the new record, his resulted personal growth led to living out healthier habits and focusing more on feeling comfortable, rather than anxious, in social situations, including at shows. Taking that time away from everything was needed and eventually allowed the band to finish creating "Lullabies for the Restless."

"The more we're treating ourselves well and paying attention to our mental states and our physical states and how our actions truly affect us and affect others, I think the better we're all going to be as a community," he says. "The more we can just have an attitude like let's be open to talk about this without any sort of stigma, the better it's going to be." Fox says one of the toughest things about being an advocate for mental health is ensuring he is being an example of the things he stands for: "Am I treating myself well?"

Courtesy Harvey Fox. Photo by Daryl Wilkerson.

"It gets dangerous because you can very easily turn your depression or turn your issues into something that is marketable, or you could turn your issues into like this archetype of this tortured artist," Fox explains. "That's the opposite of what I want to be doing. I want to be an artist [who] grows and reaches a point that's sustainable and healthy and encouraging others to live a healthier life as well."

For the LP release Sunday at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave., 9 p.m., Harvey Fox is prepared to give a show-stopping performance and send shivers down your spine per usual during Halloween time for a mere $8 in advance or $10 at the door. And special for this Oct. 20 show, Annalee will be joining the band on vocals.

A self-proclaimed fan of Halloween and all-things spooky and horror, Fox says he is crafting hand-bound lyric books—made from recycled paper and old cereal boxes, including the likes of Boo Berry, Count Chocula and Reese's Puffs Bats (emphasis on the bats)—that will be sold at the show, alongside free sleeping masks with the purchase of any record. Come for the sleeping masks and lyric books; stay for the live release of the dark, dreamy, mysterious "Lullabies for the Restless." "It'll be in the spirit."