Many would agree that Bob Dylan is undoubtedly one of the most influential artists in our lifetime.  His storytelling within the lyrics are exquisite and profound, a trait that a lot of people to when they need guidance.  Chicago quartet Red Scarves began with a class on Bob Dylan at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL a decade ago when the professor suggested for two of the classmates to play music together. Now in the big city with a solidified lineup consisting of Braden Poole (vocals, guitar), Ayethaw Tun (vocals, guitar, bass), Ryan Donlin (vocals, bass, guitar, keys), and Robby Kuntz (drums, percussion, keys), the band is truly a team effort with each member contributing to songwriting.

Red Scarves writes music that is at the intersection of their music theory studies in undergrad and the 60s/70s pop-rock that first got them together in the first place. With a foot in folk and another in indie pop, the band is set to release a new EP Ghost Hunter this year and an LP in 2023, both recorded on tape with Dave Vettraino during the pandemic.

Today Red Scarves has shared their first single since 2019 titled “DKHBTA.”  Meaning “Don’t Know How To Be Alone” the track is a slow burner that weighs heavily on the ear.  Flourishing guitar riffs fill the space ever so effortlessly in “DKHBTA” along with pounding drums.

“I wrote this song during a depressive week-long episode alone in my apartment. I kept repeating a phrase I heard during a session with my therapist ‘I don’t know how to be alone.’ I wanted to make a song that represented my anxiety about my loneliness in a way that didn’t come off as too dark or serious. So I went the opposite direction: I wrote it like a silly 1950s rock and roll song: a slinky drum groove, tremolo guitars, and burlesque piano lines. When we were rehearsing and recording the song, I pushed the band to accept a little bit of tumbling looseness, to accentuate the juxtaposition of desperation and lightness I was going for when I wrote the song. We didn’t do too many takes in the studio, and it wound up coming out just right.”

Photo Courtesy: Kate Ford