The Denver-based indie rock duo Blankslate is preparing to release their highly anticipated new album, Lookout Mountain Charley — out on August 8th — which marks a significant evolution in their musical journey. In a recent interview with 303 Magazine, band members Rylee Dunn and Tess Condron discussed their creative process, the challenges they’ve faced, and the themes that inspired their latest work.
Initially formed in 2018 as a trio, Blankslate has transitioned into a duo featuring core members Dunn and Condron. This change has allowed them to return to their roots, focusing on songwriting and the logistics of being a band. “It feels really good to be back to this core level,” Rylee explained. “We’re the songwriters and now we get to deliver our music in a way that feels true to ourselves.” The duo’s latest album reflects their growth as musicians and individuals, exploring themes of love, loss and the complexities of life as a touring band. “This album is about recognizing where you’re failing as a person and as a musician,” Rylee noted. “It feels really honest to deliver it in our original form.”
The album’s production was a collaborative effort with Tyler Imbrogno at DayMoon Studio, who has worked with Blankslate since their inception. The duo expressed their gratitude for this fruitful partnership, emphasizing how it has helped them capture the essence of their songs. “We recorded a completely different version of this album before some lineup changes, and starting from scratch was a gratifying experience,” Dunn shared.
The songwriting process was unique as well as Dunn and Condron started the project by creating demos on their phones before bringing them to the band to develop. However, as they returned to their duo format, they found that the songs retained much more of their original essence as they evolved. “It’s been a fun evolution to see our songs go through because they’re still who they were when they were born. They just went through a whole life, and now they are developed to where they should be,” Condron explained.
While the album is not a concept album, it features a subtle storyline that follows a character who ventures into space, faces challenges and ultimately confronts the realities of love and loss. “It’s about putting your heart on the line and not necessarily succeeding; it leads to running away, but realizing you’re still in love,” Condron said. This narrative serves as a metaphor for the ups and downs of touring life, where the band experiences both sold-out shows and intimate performances in empty rooms.
The duo also emphasized the importance of community and support within the Colorado music scene. “Colorado is one of the best states to be a band in, in my opinion. There are so many small towns, and they love music,” Condron said. “We’ve figured out how to reach out to them and share our music, which has been amazing.”
Blankslate’s album release is scheduled for Friday, August 8th. The supporting international tour will showcase their unique live performance style. “Our live shows are very fun and we bring a lot of energy,” Condron said. As Blankslate prepares for their international tour, they remain grateful for the support they have received from friends, fans, and the music community. They concluded their interview with a statement from Dunn:
“You know, through all the twists and turns, we’re so proud of the final product and being able to make it together with just the two of us. We hope it resonates with people. It’s not the most cheerful album and the themes discussed are not always upbeat, but I think there’s always a thread of hope. Even in the dark moments, I hope we can reach people where they need it and give them some sort of power or strength to deal with whatever they’re going through, because that’s what I often look for in music. We’re really thankful for our friends who played on the album and everyone who has stuck by us through all the changes, as well as those who have recently joined us. The support we’ve continued to receive after all these years as a band feels incredible.”
With their new album, Blankslate invites listeners on a journey of transformation, emotion, and the enduring power of music. As they continue to evolve as artists, the duo is poised to make a lasting impact on the indie rock scene.
Stay tuned for the album release and catch Blankslate on tour as they share their music with audiences across the country and beyond! Make sure to stream Lookout Mountain Charley on August 8th and grab some Blankslate merchandise here!