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EXCLUSIVE MP3: J Roddy Walston and the Business

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J Roddy Walston and the Business’ self-titled debut album, out July 27, is full of spirited and sweaty Southern rock, and with its joyous oh oh oh ah backing vocals and buoyant boogie rhythm, “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” is the collection’s purest-party starter — but its lyrics paint a defiant picture that started in a troubled personal moment.

“I wrote this song in the middle of a bad downward spiral,” says singer-pianist Walston, of the Baltimore-based band, who were one of SPIN’s must-hear bands at this year’s South by Southwest festival. “It was one of those times where you hate everything good and you’re just trying to be a dark animal…. i wrote the lyrics for the bridge after overhearing some friends discussing how i ‘had lost what was special about me.'” In the song, Walston pleads to be allowed to feel unhappy, even if that displeases those around him.

Download the track below, and keep an eye out for the band, who are on tour till the end of August.

Listen: J. Roddy Walston and the Business, “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” (DOWNLOAD)