Six Foot Blonde, the indie rock band known for their heartfelt lyrics and eclectic sound, has returned with their debut album, Ask Me How I Am. True to their signature style, the album navigates through a range of emotions and musical landscapes, but it also marks a significant evolution in their artistry.

Lyrically, Ask Me How I Am delves into themes of transformation and self-discovery. The band’s characteristic introspection is paired with broader existential reflections, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and thought. In an interview, lead singer Julia Rusyniak noted, “Ask Me How I Am, our debut album, is the product of years of growth between the six of us and the result of four months in the studio. Some of these songs we've played live for over a year. It's been so cool to see fans react to hearing them recorded for the first time!”

Six Foot Blonde consists of Julia Rusyniak as lead singer, Elliott Obermaier playing guitar, Brian Healey on drums, Zach Patrick playing guitar, Dom Heyob playing bass and vocals, and John Alex Rusyniak on the keys. 

To give a little back story on how Six Foot Blonde came to be, we asked how this journey started for them, “We all met in a music club at Indiana University where Elliott, our guitar player, started. Around 2021, Six Foot Blonde started playing local bars in Bloomington. We've come a long way from those days, but they definitely made us who we are now. In that first year and a half, we really learned how to become entertainers.”

They continue, “Before the fall of 2022, the band felt more like an experiment, a great college experience that would come to a natural end. But the six of us sat down with each other and decided that there was something special here that we didn't want to be done with. We really wanted to put all of our effort into making it succeed. Since that point, we've grown a lot together, and we've really become a family. At the start of 2023, we started expanding our reach as a live band, playing regionally and building a broader community in the Midwest. Now, we've just gotten off our first national headlining tour, playing 22 cities across the East Coast and Midwest. Throughout all that, we've worked constantly on our live show and have never stopped writing.” 

When asked about their debut album, they note, “It's been a mixture of catharsis and excitement. We've wanted to be able to share these songs for so long. It's exciting to finally hear everyone's responses and to be given the chance to share something so meaningful to us.”

There is no doubt that this album is special and meaningful. Right from the opening track, “Pareidolia,” it’s clear that Six Foot Blonde has embraced a richer, more textured production. The lush arrangements give the album a cinematic quality that enhances the emotional depth of the music. 

The songwriting on Ask Me How I Am continues the band's tradition of introspective and poignant lyrics. However, this album ventures into more ambitious territory. Tracks like “Hard Feelings!” and “Ripe” explore existential themes and the search for meaning in a chaotic world, all while maintaining the band’s signature lyrical vulnerability. The songwriting feels more mature and contemplative, with each song offering a nuanced reflection on personal and collective struggles.

Singers in the band Julia Rusyniak and Dom Heyob deliver their most compelling vocals to date. Julia’s voice, often described as a blend of warmth and fragility, shines on tracks like “Landgirl” and “Refuge” There’s a newfound confidence in her delivery that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics. The band's arrangements are tighter than ever, adding layers of richness to the overall sound.

When asked about their collective favorite song on the album, they responded, “One that keeps coming up in conversation is “Refuge”. It is the real turning point of the album, and we all really love it compositionally. Julia's lyrics paint such a stark image and we feel that it represents our voices really well, both as individual players and as a band.”  We, at DC Music Review, couldn’t agree more. 

While the entire album is worth a listen, a few tracks stand out particularly. “Blackout” is a sprawling, epic track with a stirring crescendo that showcases the band’s ability to build tension and release it in a way that’s both powerful and cathartic. We also have to mention again, “Ripe” as we all here at DC Music Review are simply obsessed with the song’s sound. 

Ask Me How I Am is a strikingly ambitious album that reflects Six Foot Blonde’s artistic evolution. The blend of rich production, profound lyrical themes, and dynamic performances make it a compelling listen from start to finish. The album successfully balances the band’s established indie roots with new, adventurous elements, offering both long-time fans and new listeners a fresh perspective on their music.

Six Foot Blonde, once relatively unknown outside their home region, now has a strong national headlining tour under their belt. On top of winning a legion of fans nationwide, they have a brilliant new album to punctuate their presence on the national scene.  With a band with this much energy and so many fans to win over, please make sure to check their webpage and links below to look for upcoming tours.