Fairmont - I Wish I Was Stupid

“It’s great to know bands like this that are DIY to the core, from their basement studio to their own record label, are churning out music for over two decades and counting.” – Blood Makes Noise

Video Premiere – Rebel Noise

Interview – North Jersey

Fairmont, a New Jersey-based indie rock band led by Neil Sabatino, has been a staple of the indie music scene since its formation in 2001, following Sabatino’s departure from the emo-punk band Pencey Prep. Initially a solo acoustic project, Fairmont evolved into a full band, blending indie rock and pop. Over their two-decade career, they have released thirteen full-length albums and six EPs, while extensively touring the U.S. Notably, their early releases like Pretending Greatness is Awaiting, Hell is Other People and Transcendence garnered attention for their conceptual depth and collaborations, laying the foundation for a prolific career under Sabatino’s Mint 400 Records label.

Fairmont saw radio start to pay attention with the 2009 release of The Meadow at Dusk, which debuted at No. 176 on the CMJ charts. Their 2018 album, We Will Burn That Bridge When We Get To It, marked a significant milestone as it debuted at No. 143 on the NACC radio charts, eventually climbing to No. 126, making it their second release to chart. Their follow-up album, Liminal Spaces (2020), debuted at No. 127 and peaked at No. 116, spending four weeks on the NACC charts. The band reached new heights with their 2021 album Recluse Jamboree, debuting at No. 98 on the NACC charts—the highest position the band had ever achieved—and hitting No. 14 on the Sub-Modern Chart in its first week. The album remained on the charts for three weeks.

Fairmont’s latest album showcases a dynamic blend of styles, weaving together a range of influences that reflect their evolution as a band. The opener, “Boring Dumb Song,” delivers a raw, punk energy, while “Remedy” shifts toward an introspective, dream-pop atmosphere. Throughout the record, the band nods to their inspirations, from the Spoon-like groove of “Gas Station Sushi” to the band doing their best Bowie impression on their David Bowie cover “Ashes to Ashes,” creating a cohesive yet eclectic journey through their musical past and present.