Visual artist Jeff Fribourg’s graphic design background is the basis for his sonic brainchild, Numb.er. Imbuing his work with a sense of architectural composition by layering razor-sharp guitar riffs and analogue synths over throbbing drums and driving bass, Numb.er combines elements of punk, shoegaze, and post-punk, to create a captivating sound that is both old-school and modern.
The new single, “Congratulations, Stay Safe” is an honest, acerbic look at outward perceptions and the inner turmoil that often lies just beneath the surface. Written during a particularly dark period for Fribourg in 2019, the song examines the sense of alienation he experienced being surrounded by people who failed to recognize his internal struggles. While friends and family were saying “congratulations” for his perceived stability and success, Fribourg developed a more appropriate mantra for that dangerously spiraling version of himself: “stay safe.”
With a sneering, sarcastic delivery, Numb.er dissects the complexity of sudden notoriety, teetering on the crumbling precipice of an artist’s mental health.
Listen below:
Jeff Fribourg, a founding member of LA psych-kraut favorites Froth, created the side project Numb.er to actualize and explore his own varied musical and artistic inclinations.
With the release of Goodbye, the band’s first LP, Numb.er quickly garnered a reputation as one of Los Angeles’ most exciting new bands and live music acts, as seen on tours with kindred spirits such as The KVB and A Place to Bury Strangers.
Now, following the release of the project’s first new single in two years, Numb.er are set to begin a tour with Death Bells in the UK and Ireland this week.
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Tour Dates:
- February 25th – Birmingham, UK – The Dark Horse
- February 26th – Glasgow, UK – The Attic
- February 27th – Belfast, UK – Voodoo
- February 28th – Limerick, IE – Kasbah Social
- March 1st – Dublin, IE – Whelans
- March 3rd – Leeds, UK – Oporto
- March 4th – Manchester, UK – The Castle
- March 5th – London, UK – Shacklewell Arms
- March 6th – Bristol, UK – Rough Trade
