KOATS With His Sizzling Single “I’ll Take That Dare” (feat. Cory Wong)

By FusioNostalgia

Introducing an amazing artist known as KOATS a Minneapolis musician. During his early days in high school, he laid the foundation for one of his longest-standing musical loves: garage rock. It was not only a coming-of-age season, but a birth-of-obsession season as well, when, bored one summer day, he picked up his older brother’s guitar on a whim. That was it – there was no turning back. The fusion between this newfound love of guitar, with his love of alternative and garage rock of that time, led to a steady dose of writing songs and riffs for the next 15 years and counting. So, in one sense, indie rock project KOATS is long overdue, with roots from over a decade and a half ago. But while the core of the songs that make up debut EP Time To Break Up The Band may be founded on and infused with rich nostalgia, the execution is current, driven by thick electric guitar layers; loud, heavily-compressed drums; and crunchy, effects-laced vocals telling tongue-in-cheek stories of heartbreak and growing up. With ideas and rough demos lying around for years, things finally took off when Bartels brought the amp, guitar, and recording setup into his dining room in the spring of 2021 while the rest of his family was on vacation for a week. Setting up camp and recording for several days straight, he quickly lost track of time, unwittingly skipping some meals here and there, recording around the clock. It was finally happening – a true ode to the era that deeply shaped his musical mind and obsessions. New songs were written from scratch, and old ideas were fleshed out, including tracks written years earlier with friend and collaborator Cory Wong, who has been busy touring the world over with his band, and with Vulfpeck, Jon Batiste, Ben Rector, and more. Wong then tracked new, additional parts in 2021 on the song “I’ll Take That Dare.” Other collaborators Bartels has enlisted so far include Ian Allison (Eric Hutchinson, Jeremy Messersmith) on bass, Reese Kling on drums, and Ethan Cook on vocals and as a co-songwriter. With the release of his newest single ” I’ll Take That Dare” (feat. Cory Wong) he projects a fascinating sound that will definitely intrigue your ears. Starting with vibrant instrumentation leading onto his bright and ear-catching vocals he captures the song entirely. Explaining the track a bit further it’s from the perspective of someone only pretending to be over their love of another. They know full well that they are but a puppet to these intense feelings that won’t leave them. They are but an actor in a heartbreak story… and maybe not a great one at that. To the vocals and production, this single will surely have you jamming out. Being just perfect for a drive during sunset or a day out on the beach. Go stream “I’ll Take That Dare” (feat. Cory Wong) and be on the lookout for new music from this outstanding act.