Quarters of Change Ignites the Rock Scene with 'Portraits'
New York's Own Delivers an Album of Raw Emotion and Unbridled Energy
January 26, 2024 | Sierra Brown-Rodrigues
Photo Credit: Anna Henderson
Quarters of Change, the trailblazing rock band straight out of New York City, has just dropped their electrifying new album 'Portraits' via 300 Entertainment, and it's a game-changer. This album, born from an intense two-week retreat in Woodstock, NY, captures the band's most vulnerable and raw moments to date. It's a vivid contrast to their last album, 'Into The Rift,' showcasing a journey from darkness into light.
Frontman Ben Roter shares, “'Portraits' is composed of distinct fragments, each painting a different emotion or moment. It's a deep dive into addiction, isolation, and exploration.” This collection of songs is more than just music; it's a mosaic of human experiences and emotions.
Self-producing 'Portraits' back in New York, the band collaborated with heavy-hitters like GRAMMY® Award-winning producers Mikey Freedom Hart and Dave Tozer, as well as artists Charlie Burg and Brandon Shoop. Roter emphasizes, “We wanted to capture the essence of a real band performance. When you listen to the album, it's raw, it's real, and it's us.”
The album release was celebrated with an exclusive event at Fotografiska Museum in New York, where they also premiered their documentary, 'Portraits of a New York City Rock Band.' Directed by Amyas Ryan, the film gives an inside look at the making of the album.
Also released is the powerful video for “Tightrope,” directed by Oliver Pearson. It’s a visual spectacle that matches the song’s ferocity, showcasing the band’s grit and determination.
With upcoming performances at Governors Ball and Shaky Knees, Quarters of Change is set to bring more from 'Portraits.' The band has already made waves with their sold-out shows and captivating live performances.
Reflecting on their journey, Roter concludes, “'Portraits' is a snapshot of Quarters of Change right now. From a cabin in Woodstock to clubs and arenas, it's our story, our evolution, our sophomore album.”
Quarters of Change is not just another rock band; they are the voice of a new era in alternative rock. Their bond, formed in the basements and stages of their youth, has blossomed into a sound that's both familiar and groundbreaking. 'Portraits' is more than an album; it's a statement, a declaration of their place in the rock pantheon.
Photo credit: Max Durante
ABOUT QUARTERS OF CHANGE
Anchored by a mutual predisposition for unpredictability, Quarters of Change fuse together a signature hybrid of nineties-style alternative hooks, crunchy space rock soundscapes, and strutting seventies grooves. After piling up millions of streams, selling out shows, and inciting critical applause, the New York City quartet — Ben Acker (guitar, bass, synths), Attila Anrather (drums), Jasper Harris (guitars, bass, synths), and Ben Roter (vocals, guitar)— are working their way toward the 2024 release of their album Portraits.
Leaning on an unspoken musical language of their own, forged by years of cutting their teeth together, sneaking into shows they were once too young to play and practicing in the basement of their old high school, Quarters of Change very clearly have a lifelong bond that has created their own breed of alternative rock with stadium scope.
Initially gaining traction with a handful of independent EPs as the fan favorite “Kiwi” reeled in over 10 million streams, they continued to hone this signature style on their 2022 full-length debut, Into The Rift. Highlighted by fan-favorite tracks “T Love,” “Jaded,” and “Dead,” they made enamored notable fans out of Joe Jonas, Lewis Capaldi, Chad Smith, and Fred Durst, to name a few.
Quarters of Change simultaneously emerged as a live force, supporting Bad Suns and selling out their first-ever US headline tour. The Aquarian hailed them as “reviving alt rock,” and Sheesh professed, “Quarters of Change has mastered the New York rock resurgence in a way that is resonating with even the best of the best.” In 2023 the band made their SXSW debut, sold out a headline tour run that ended with a momentous performance at Austin City Limits, and began rolling out the singles from the newest body of work.
Doubling down on amplifying the energy, and turning up the distortion, Quarters of Change have quietly emerged as a phenomenon, and maintain this momentum with the release of their new album Portraits, available everywhere now.
For Quarters of Change press materials and inquiries, please contact:
Madi Florence | Madi@bighassle.com
Destiny Dominguez | Destiny.Dominguez@300elektra.com
Collin Citron | Collin.Citron@300elektra.com