We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/
  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days

      $28 USD or more 

     

  • Book/Magazine + Digital Album

    Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed), plus a cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed). Comes with a download of the album.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    5 remaining

      $28 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    MASS = WHOLE

    1. 12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed)
    3. Cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed)

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days

      $50 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    MASS = LITURGY

    1. 12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed)
    3. Cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed)
    4. Test cyanotype print of the FC portrait by Anna Haas (3 total) or the test prints of the BLUE and FAIL single covers (one of each), rendered by Buick Audra (dated, numbered, and signed); paper size is for the FC portrait is 9x12 inches, paper size for the single covers is 9x9 inches

    *A note on the cyanotypes: each one was done individually; the variation and imperfection are part of the beauty of the cyanotype process. You will have the only one of its kind.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 5  3 remaining

      $80 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    MASS = ASSEMBLY

    1. 12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. Cyanotype print of the FC portrait by Anna Haas, rendered by Buick Audra, an edition of 10, (dated, numbered, and signed); paper size is 9x12 inches
    3. Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed)
    4. Cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed)
    5. Album cover t-shirt

    *A note on the cyanotypes: each one was done individually; the variation and imperfection are part of the beauty of the cyanotype process. You will have the only one of its kind.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 10  6 remaining

      $105 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    MASS-ACHUSETTS

    1. 12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed)
    3. Test cyanotype print of the album back cover, rendered by Buick Audra (dated, numbered, and signed); paper size is 11x11 inches
    4. Cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed)
    5. Album cover t-shirt

    *A note on the cyanotypes: each one was done individually; the variation and imperfection are part of the beauty of the cyanotype process. You will have the only one of its kind.

    *PLEASE SEND A NOTE WITH YOUR PREFERRED SHIRT SIZE (XS, S, L, XL, 2X, 3X; M sold out))

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 2  1 remaining

      $105 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    MASS = DENSITY X VOLUME

    1. 12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. Cassette copy of the album (signed) - if you'd prefer a CD, just send us a note!
    3. Canotype print of the album cover, rendered by Buick Audra, an edition of 21 (dated, numbered, and signed); paper size is 11x11 inches
    4. Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed)
    5. Cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed)
    6. Album cover t-shirt

    *A note on the cyanotypes: each one was done individually; the variation and imperfection are part of the beauty of the cyanotype process. You will have the only one of its kind.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 21  2 remaining

      $115 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    MASS = MASSIVE QUANTITY

    1. 12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. 12" Black test pressing of the album (signed)
    3. CD copy of the album (signed)
    4. Test cyanotype print of the album cover, rendered by Buick Audra (dated, numbered, and signed); paper size is 11x11 inches
    5. Copy of the new book by Buick Audra, MASS: Essays on Memory, Language, & the State of Massachusetts (signed)
    6. Cyanotype bookmark made by Buick Audra (signed)
    7. Album cover t-shirt

    *A note on the cyanotypes: each one was done individually; the variation and imperfection are part of the beauty of the cyanotype process. You will have the only one of its kind.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 4  2 remaining

      $150 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    1.12" 180-gram transparent Sea Blue vinyl copy of the album in a gatefold jacket (signed)
    2. Tultex blend shirt with album cover art screened on the front. XS-3X!

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    6 remaining

      $50 USD or more 

     

  • T-Shirt/Shirt + Digital Album

    Tultex blend shirt with album cover art screened on the front. XS-3X! We will include a download of the album with the shirt.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days

      $25 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Full-color CD and packaging.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days

      $13 USD or more 

     

  • Cassette + Digital Album

    Full-color cassette and packaging.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days

      $13 USD or more 

     

  • Poster/Print + Digital Album

    All of the artwork for MASS and its singles was done by Buick Audra using the cyanotype method. These are original prints, signed by Buick. You have your choice of three options:

    -Cyanotype print of the MASS cover art by Buick Audra (edition of 21); paper size is 11x11 inches
    -Cyanotype print of the FC portrait by Anna Haas (edition of 16), paper size is 9x12 inches
    -Cyanotype test prints of the HIGH SUN single covers (two total), paper size is 9x9 inches

    Each print comes with a download of the MASS album!

    *A note on the cyanotypes: each one was done individually; the variation and imperfection are part of the beauty of the cyanotype process. You will have the only one of its kind.

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 12  9 remaining

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    1. MASS (2023) - 180-gram transparent sea blue 12" / 33 RPM / 10 track LP / recorded and co-produced by Kurt Ballou

    2. BILL (2018) - black 12" / 33 RPM / 13 song LP / recorded and co-produced by Steve Albini

    3. DAVE (2016) - black 12" / 33 RPM / 10 song LP / self-recorded and produced

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days

      $55 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    1. MASS (2023) - 180-gram transparent sea blue 12" / 33 RPM / 10 track LP

    2. RELEASE THE REST (2022) - semi-transparent violet 12" / 45 RPM / 5 song EP

    3. HOLD ON TO YOURSELF (2020) - purple 10" / 45 RPM / 5 song EP

    4. BILL (2018) - black 12" / 33 RPM / 13 song LP

    5. JUNEBUG (2017) - black 7" / 33 RPM / 4 song EP

    6. DAVE (2016) - black 12" / 33 RPM / 10 song LP

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days

      $105 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    1. MASS (2023) - Full-color CD and Digipak / 10 track album / recorded and co-produced by Kurt Ballou

    2. BILL (2018) - Full-color CD and Digipak / 13 song album / recorded and co-produced by Steve Albini

    3. DAVE (2016) - Full-color CD and Wallet / 10 song album / self-recorded and produced

    Includes unlimited streaming of MASS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    1 remaining

      $35 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 7 Friendship Commanders releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of MASS, RELEASE THE REST, ALTAR / LAND OF MEN, STONECHILD, HOLD ON TO YOURSELF, BILL, and DAVE. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $46.75 USD or more (15% OFF)

     

1.
Blue 03:35
there is something dangerous about the narrative that a life is only measured by what’s surrounding it if you’re living in a chapter you don’t know how to leave you will something can seem good for you until it starts to hurt you’re allowed to change your mind if it doesn’t work if you’re inside a container you don’t know how to break you will the sky was blue in Massachusetts the sky was grey inside my head the sky was blue in Massachusetts the sky was grey inside my head and it told the truth there’s a lot of talk about staying through the tests you can miss the road behind and be glad you left if you don’t yet have the language for what you want to say you will the sky was blue in Massachusetts the sky was grey inside my head the sky was blue in Massachusetts the sky was grey inside my head and it told the truth if you don’t yet have the language for what you want to say if you’re inside a container you don’t know how to break if you’re living in a chapter you don’t know how to leave you will
2.
Fail 03:36
just a little fall down the rabbit hole I like who you are how you look at shows every now and then I’m in the present tense then I catch myself ‘cause it’s the one you left and we fail a little at a time we fail who we love and we fail oh, what’s between the lines? it’s never enough but can you hear me now? (I heard you) but can you hear me now? (I heard you) the way you looked at me listened when I spoke I hope I did the same I hope that you felt known I can see your eyes in the Cambridge sun I will miss your smile I’m not the only one and we fail a little at a time we fail who we love and we fail oh, what’s between the lines? it’s never enough but can you see me now? (I saw you) but can you see me now? (I saw you) and we fail a little at a time we fail who we love and we fail oh, what’s between the lines? this living is tough and we fail a little at a time we fail who we love and we fail oh, what’s between the lines? it’s never enough but can you hear me now? (I heard you) but can you see me now? (I saw you) but can you hear me now? (I knew you) but can you see me now? (I loved you)
3.
High Sun 03:49
saw my back against the wall saw him spitting in my face saw the outcome of it all saw everyone maintain their place there’s no speaking up when everybody wants the status to be quo there’s no speaking up when there’s just one of you trust me, I know maybe the sun went high and they blamed me it’s easier than changing it’s easier than looking at themselves and learning maybe the sun went high and it framed me it’s easy to mistake me it’s easier than looking at themselves and learning saw the burning in my cheeks saw her laughing at my shame saw the hours turn to weeks saw everybody look away there’s no speaking up when everybody wants the status to be quo there’s no speaking up when there’s just one of you trust me, I know maybe the sun went high and they blamed me it’s easier than changing it’s easier than looking at themselves and learning maybe the sun went high and it framed me it’s easy to mistake me it’s easier than looking at themselves and learning there’s no speaking up when punching down is normal, baby walk away there’s no speaking up when dark is favored over daylight, hey- maybe the sun went high and they blamed me it’s easier than changing it’s easier than looking at themselves and learning maybe the sun went high and it framed me it’s easy to mistake me it’s easier than looking at themselves and learning
4.
Vampire 03:22
fresh out of anything left for you I don’t have room for a guest, poor you here comes the absence with all the big announcements time was, I’d make up a bed for you feathers and glitter, a nest pour vous I live with the absence I could live without announcements keep the pulse close you rely on me if the blood flows you rely on me keep the pulse close you rely on me if the blood flows you rely on me all of the people I knew lived here each got a taste of my worst lived fears I won’t repeat it it took all my life to beat it keep the pulse close you rely on me if the blood flows you rely on me keep the pulse close you rely on me if the blood flows you rely on me all the odds said I’d keep depleting, yeah all the odds said I’d be unlikely to change myself all the odds said I’d hold on ‘til I got dragged, well all the odds aren’t the only crystal ball, are they? keep the pulse close you rely on me if the blood flows you rely on me keep the pulse close you rely on me if the blood flows you rely on me (you rely on me if it’s my fault you can put it all on me every little thing all on me if it’s my fault) all of the people I knew lived here all of the people I knew lived here
5.
Still Life 03:23
if it’s not every day what’s the problem? it’s the things that you say making waves here it’s how people relate not a bottom but the things that you say aren’t okay here as the wheels fall off that car you drive as you’re slowly crashing down you are wrong but you are still alive on the ground, on the ground, on the ground it’s the fault of the world that I’m back here it’s injustice on high not a problem I’m the king of my kind it’s my calling don’t you look in my eyes you never saw them as the wheels fall off that motorbike as you’re slowly crashing down you are wrong but you are still alive on the ground, on the ground as the highway fills with passers-by you are slowly waking up you are wrong but you are still alive now get up, now get up, now get up as the wheels fall off the car you drive as you’re slowly crashing down you are wrong but you are still alive on the ground, on the ground as the highway fills with passers-by you are slowly waking up you are wrong but you are still alive now get up, now get up, now get up now get up now get up now get up
6.
We Were Here 02:42
I lost some time then circled back again only to find things hadn’t changed a bit the ancient trees remember more than I I let them be I only answer to the sky I lived in constant fear I was unlovable, yeah I know when we were here it was hard for me it was hard for me I lost some time the details fall away am I defined by a former time and place? the one-way streets that fuck with everyone still know my feet it’s an honest kind of love I lived in constant fear I was unlovable, yeah I know when we were here it was hard for me it was hard for me and the mountains call my name (I hear them) and the alleys call my name (I hear them) and the history calls my name (I hear them) and I’ll never be the— I lived in constant fear I was unlovable, yeah I know when we were here it was hard for me it was hard for me it was hard for me it was hard for me I lost some time I see it as a grace it was not mine to manage or to change
7.
Distortion 02:57
I used to say that I was glad it happened I used to say that I was here because I used to say that I was better for it I used to say that you are who you love but from here, I feel the cost yeah, from here, I feel the loss they like to tell you that you’re so resilient they like to tell you that you helped the rest they like to tell you there was no prevention they like to empathize with who you left but from here, I feel betrayed yeah, from here, I feel the weight the distortion lies in what I feel I need to say the distortion lies in feeling that I need to be okay the distortion lies in what I feel I need to say the distortion lies in feeling that I need to be okay and from here, I feel relief yeah, from here, I feel the grief I used to say that I was glad it happened I used to say that I was here because I used to say that I was better for it now I forgive myself for who I was I forgive myself for who I was I forgive myself for who I was
8.
A Retraction 04:33
the ice never melted there it froze our words mid-air the pictures of the time deny what’s yours and theirs hey, open my head open my heart and I’ll show you the best, best of me hey, open my chest open my arms and I’ll show you the rest, the rest if I told you I love you, I don’t if I told you I’d show you, I won’t if I told you I’d know you, I didn’t even know myself sorrow isn’t the word it’s something more like rage coated with a blue it turned the whole thing grey hey, open my head open my heart and I’ll show you the best, best of me hey, open my chest open my arms and then just leave the rest, the rest if I told you I love you, I don’t if I told you I’d show you, I won’t if I told you I’d know you, I didn’t even know myself oh, there’s a tendency (underneath, underneath) oh, and it’s been set free (look and see, look and see) oh, it’s running loose oh, it’s a bitter truth oh, baby, how about you? hey, open my head open my heart and I’ll show you the best, best of me hey, open my chest open my arms and then just leave the rest, the rest if I told you I love you, I don’t if I told you I’d show you, I won’t if I told you I’d know you, I didn’t even know myself (just release the rest of me, yeah just release the rest of me, yeah)
9.
Move 05:19
I don’t have the keys anymore I don’t have to open the door I know all the halls and floors but I don’t have the keys anymore I don’t walk the road from the train I won’t walk there ever again I know all the guts and veins but I don’t walk the road from the train I remember one time he was telling me I sold myself to be liked making me ashamed that I looked nice always a problem with that, such a bad night I remember one time she was telling me my body was too slight making me ashamed that I looked nice always a problem with that, it seemed like I don’t take the exit to there I keep flying right through the air if it still stands, I don’t care I don’t take the exit to there you don’t have to stay around you don’t have to make it work you don’t have to see it through you can move I don’t wonder how it all goes I don’t watch the grass as it grows I know where the water flows I don’t wonder how it all goes I don’t take the exit to there I keep flying right through the air if it still stands, I don’t care but I don’t take the exit to there I remember one time I was yelling at myself to be alright feeling so ashamed that I’m uptight always a problem with that in this life I remember one time I was struggling to hold myself upright feeling so alone in that old life always a problem with that, it seemed like I remember one time— (always a problem with that in this life) I remember one time— (always a problem with that, it seemed like) I don’t have the keys anymore I don’t have to walk through the door I know all the walls and floors but I don’t have the keys anymore I don’t have the keys anymore you don’t have to stay around you don’t have to make it work you don’t have to see it through you can move you don’t have to hold it down you don’t have to hold it up you don’t have to see it through you can move you don’t have to stay around you don’t have to make it work you don’t have to see it through you can move
10.
Dissonance 04:53
I wanted to show you Moving to a place where I had no anchors, allies, or shared language. I wanted to show you The leaves of late Fall in Arlington, where I would enter a small house and listen to other kids tell the truth. They taught me to do the same. New language. I wanted to show you Sleeping on Arthur’s living room floor, listening to Badmotofinger on repeat, bus rides to Harvard Square. Trying not to take up space, but being glad there was space for me somewhere. I wanted to show you Singing “Polaroids” at 3 AM in JFK park with Ethel; our parents thought we were asleep in our beds. We had never been so awake, so alive. I wanted to show you Riding bikes from Belmont to Cambridge; we felt like we owned the world in the middle of the night. We did. I wanted to show you Me and Bo and Mel in the rehearsal space with no air circulating; so hot that the guitars and drum stool stuck to our bodies. We played anyway. We didn’t know to ask for a window. I wanted to show you Marc’s eyes as we laughed about the news, our co-workers, bands we knew. As we sat on a parking lot curb and ate avocados from their skins. No shade from the sun, no barriers between us. I wanted to show you The walk from Boston to Cambridge. The bridge on Mass Ave. The schools along the way. The danger and safety that coexisted at all times. The wind off the water. The sting of the cold air on my face. I wanted to show you The women on stage, unapologetic and loud; a gift I still borrow from, an image that feels like I dreamed it now. But they were real. I wanted to show you My own early attempts at expression. Two chords and a melody; too many words to fit into the phrase. I wanted to show you The dresses I made us because she wanted us to look the same, play the same, be the same. But we were not the same. And no amount of fabric would make it so. I wanted to show you How she told me I was too thin and not thin enough, how to wear my hair, and how to be like her. I wanted to show you A pale pink wedding gown that I spent months making. Silk dupioni with glass beads in the same color that spelled out my first name. I made jokes about it being bold, but I might have been afraid of losing myself. I should have been. I wanted to show you The group of them and how they dressed alike, acted alike, thought alike. I never fit but I bought the clothing. I never fit but I shaved myself down and pretended that I did. I hid the story until I forgot it myself. I wanted to show you The basement of an event hall where he backed me against a wall and told me all the reasons he would never want to be with a person like me. His spit hitting my face, his insults hitting my guts. I wanted to show you What it was like to tell our mutual friends and have no one care. They said I misunderstood. But I understood just fine. I wanted to show you The studio where I learned to make the sounds I heard in my head, late at night, deep in Cambridge. Some rooms are something more than the walls they’re made of. I wanted to show you The apartment where I lived with seven different people over as many years, two and a half blocks from Ashmont station. Its symmetry, its sanctuary. I wanted to show you How in that same apartment, he stood in the front hallway and told me how sad it was that I had to sell myself to be liked by people he didn’t know, people he was jealous of, people who were kinder to me. I wanted to show you Hearing my name around town, hearing how bad I was, how they had spun my honesty into negativity. That would happen many more times in my life. I wanted to show you How I speak that language now and I always will, even if I never put it to use again. I wanted to show you How two things can be true at the same time. How doing your best and living your worst can coexist in the same second, same breath. I wanted to show you The chord with the extra note, the one that rubs, the one that’s wrong to some. It’s my favorite sound. That’s the one I’ve always wanted to play, the one I’ve always wanted to be. That’s the one that tells the truth. The truth has a rub. Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it? Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it? Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it?

about

MASS is a body of work about memory, language, and the state of Massachusetts. The album is accompanied by a memoir in essays by Buick Audra.

credits

released September 29, 2023

TTS067

Produced by Friendship Commanders & Kurt Ballou
Recorded and mixed by Kurt Ballou at GodCity, Salem MA
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, Portland OR
Assistant engineering by Zach Weeks
Additional engineering done by Buick Audra & Jerry Roe at Fort Knockout, Nashville TN

Buick Audra - guitars & vocals
Jerry Roe - drums, bass, & synths

All songs by Buick Audra (Buick Audra Music, BMI)
except "Move," composed by Buick Audra & Jerry Roe

Art by Buick Audra / Layout by Ric Simenson

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Friendship Commanders Nashville, Tennessee

Melodic heavy music from Nashville TN. The new album, MASS, is a concept record about memory, language, and the State of Massachusetts. The album was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Kurt Ballou at his Salem, MA studio, GodCity. It was released on 9/29/23: order now!

Buick Audra // Guitar and vocals
Jerry Roe // Drums and harmony vocals
... more

shows

contact / help

Contact Friendship Commanders

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Friendship Commanders, you may also like: