Philadelphia-based, non-binary singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Charlie D'Ardenne is known by their moniker Comprador. According to Oxford University Press, a comprador is a "person who acts as an agent for foreign organizations engaged in investment, trade, or economic or political exploitation.” While Comprador began as a trio in 2013 Ohio, including changing bassists and drummer Aaron Collins, Charlie remains, continuing as a solo project.
Previously, Comprador released “Good Vibrations” in January. Now, they have returned with not only a new single, “No Dice,” but fifth album Please Stay Off the Statue, releasing on May 16. This twelve track album “addresses familiar rock demons like alienation, inadequacy, doubt, and alcoholism.”
Comprador never fails to impress listeners with their music. For anyone who has gone through a relationship that was inevitably ill-fated, “No Dice” will especially resonate. The angsty lyrics and instrumental, consisting of guitar riffs, especially give a moody vibe that will make ‘90s-00s kids nostalgic.
Charlie explained the origin of “No Dice:”
“I originally sort of wrote as a potential Best Bear song. The instrumental wasn't dramatically different and it had nonsense placeholder lyrics (though I think the title was in the first version). Nobody else ended up writing words for it so I kept chipping away at it myself.”
They continued,
“The lyrics eventually became about noticing someone's red flags before deciding to enter into a relationship with them regardless, & making an analogy between that and gambling.... recognizing the outcome will most likely be bad but betting on the chance that it isn't. Musically I think it kind of emulates Dinosaur Jr and Bob Mould's band Sugar."
Comprador is celebrating the release of their new album 'Please Stay Off the Statue' with a live performance at PhilaMOCA in Philadelphia on May 16.
K Fuse would like to think Kaylee at No Earbuds for the opportunity to share Comprador's exciting journey with our readers!
Written by Tiffany S.