The Modbeats Photo credit: Mike Nicholas
Today, The Big Takeover is thrilled to exclusively premiere Ballad of a Starving Artist, the debut LP from New Jersey’s The Modbeats, a record that roars with vintage swagger, modern bite, and a whole lot of heart. In an era where playlists are algorithm-driven and singles are disposable, The Modbeats have done something gloriously old-school: they’ve made an album. A fully realized, front-to-back listening experience that invites you to drop the needle, crank the volume, and let the music take over.
Out now via Mayleen Records, Ballad of a Starving Artist is a love letter to the golden age of rock ’n’ roll and a candid reflection on the creative struggle in today’s world. Channeling surf rock shimmer, power pop punch, blues grit, psychedelic haze, and rockabilly snap, the album nods to the past while staking out fresh territory all its own.
What began in 2023 as frontman Philip Dunn’s modest plan to record a couple of original tracks evolved into a concept album brimming with defiance. “A kind of defiance in the face of so many obstacles—creative, personal, societal—became the heartbeat of the album,” Dunn says. That heartbeat pulses through every song, from the jangly heartbreak of “Fairweather Friends” to the stomping glam rock swagger of “Hold Me Roll Me” and the freewheeling, surf-drenched joyride “Frankie.” Then there’s “The Setting Sons,” which blends Eastern-tinged textures with power-pop precision, recalling greats like Jeff Beck and The Jam while cutting straight to the absurdities of modern life.
Dunn’s impassioned vocals lead a tight-knit lineup, Joe Mandia’s electric guitar sparks, Scott Matison’s bass rumbles with authority, and Fizz’s drumming drives it all forward with restless energy. Recorded at Lake House Studio in Asbury Park, engineered by Nick Semanchik, and featuring a guest spot from The Gaslight Anthem’s Bryan Haring, the record was designed with vinyl in mind, sequenced for a warm, immersive listening arc that rewards playing it all the way through.
Ballad of a Starving Artist is an album for those who still believe in rock’s power to move the body, challenge the mind, and stir the soul. It’s loud, loving, and unapologetic—a celebration of survival and creativity in a world that doesn’t always make space for either. “In the lateness of the hour, some still yearn for the pure sonic bliss of rock ’n’ roll,” Dunn muses. “We’re just here to turn it up loud and pose the questions.”
Dive into the full premiere of Ballad of a Starving Artist, streaming now exclusively at The Big Takeover ahead of its worldwide release on September 5th.
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