The Madison musician discusses his project Tippy’s two recent releases.
Tippy’s current lineup is, from left to right: Spencer Bible, Max Arthur, Erik Fredine, and Mike Pellino. Photo by Bobby Hussy.
So far this year, the Madison release I’ve voluntarily re-played the most is the self-titled album from Tippy.
It’s a project headed up by Spencer Bible, who also plays in some other Madison bands including Midwaste and Christian Dior. Tippy has put out two releases in 2016. The first is called Public Displays of Affection, a solo record Bible wrote and recorded in three days in May (finishing it on the day it was released), using sampler, synthesizers, vocals, and lyrics inspired by his relationship with his partner Mollie Martin, who is an artist and made the cover.
The self-titled one followed in July. It’s a full-band record, and this iteration of Tippy makes shaggy but dynamic guitar-rock. It hits me in that hangdog ‘90s indie-rock spot, which partially explains my affection for it, but I think what’s kept me coming back is the cutting, self-deprecating autobiography of the lyrics. On “Bagheera,” he wallows over an old relationship, occasionally pausing to ask himself why he’s doing it: “Stop/ What’s the difference?/ This is a dead conversation.” On “Pipedream,” he weighs the neuroses of being a musician who doesn’t make his living from music, and in the last verse swerves into a darkly funny anecdote from a trip to Montreal: “Walked in on a punk shooting up in a Tim Hortons restroom/ Wiped his hands with Kim Clark and remarked/ All my dreams will be dead soon/ Bumped my shoulder as he left, yeah I guess he’s a tough guy/ Fuck you, man, I just came for some doughnuts and wifi.” Then there’s the tender slow burn of “Rusher,” which is a little more cryptic lyrically but kind of opens up your feelings for the rest of the record.
Bible joined me recently for a conversation about this record. We also talked about ripping off Lifter Puller, Spencer’s defense of Limp Bizkit, toxic masculinity, and the merits of the 2002 Toyota Sienna. Give it a listen below. Tippy’s next show is October 27 at The Wisco with Wood Chickens.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and catch WORT-FM’s weeknight local news show, which partners with us to produce these. Thanks to Dylan Brogan for producing this interview.
