Fightmaster – the solo moniker of queer artist and advocate E.R. Fightmaster – just wrapped their support dates with Lucy Dacus and Kilby Block Party and are on the headline portion of their All Or Nothing Tour, including an upcoming show at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom on May 28th. They also recently announced performances at Austin City Limits Festival this fall. Today, to celebrate the impending release of their debut full length album Tolerance on June 5th and following early singles – the propulsive lead single “All Or Nothing” and rock anthem “Quicksand” – they have shared their latest single, “Glide” along with a steamy video directed by Anu Valia. 

Fightmaster notes, “‘Glide’ is an addictive alt-pop song driven by filth: filthy synth, filthy drums, filthy lyrics.”

Dominated by raw, unvarnished lyrics that reflect the complexities—some might say messiness—of emotional growth, Tolerance attempts to find equilibrium. It’s an album that exhibits artistic clarity, a reflection of Fightmaster’s own self-awareness about their place in the world, musical and otherwise. When Fightmaster started writing lyrics for Tolerance, they drew from their own life experiences, analyzing them through the lens of hindsight and perspective. That doesn’t mean Fightmaster has life completely figured out. In fact, there’s a very good reason Tolerance’s songs brim with so much empathy, both for the narrator and their subjects.

“I want people to know that there’s still cracks in the pavement. In the last couple of years I had to realize that I get my feelings hurt every day… When I realized how much kid-heartbreak is still in there, even though I’ve been to all the therapy and I’m on the perfect amount of medication, I was able to write these songs with more kindness for myself than I ever had.”

Photo Courtesy: Broderick Baumann