Gus Baldwin & The Sketch debut album out now, plus album release party, SXSW & tour dates

“Noisy, fuzzy punk with a distinct pop sensibility… Full of energy and anger while also managing to be a lot of fun.” — New Noise Magazine

“Just goes to show you can still be catchy as hell while playing really fucking loud... I'm not entirely sure there's a single that can capture the live energy the drips from the stage when Gus Baldwin & The Sketch are up there, but this brand new single is pretty damn close.” — Austin Town Hall

"Kick ass to bombastic levels." -- Cosmic Clash

Austin band Gus Baldwin & The Sketch release their full length debut album The Sketch today on all streaming platforms. Hear & share The Sketch on all DSPs HERE. Pre-order on LP and cassette with instant download on Bandcamp. 

Limited Edition vinyl LP and cassette pre-orders for The Sketch are live HERE.

Gus Baldwin & The Sketch announce a hometown album release party for February 20th at 29th Street Ballroom - Tickets HERE. Tour dates resume throughout the Midwest and East Coast in April. Please see current dates below.

Austin Chronicle has confirmed an in-depth COVER STORY on Gus & the band running the week of February 6th. Local NPR radio station KUTX has put the album in regular rotation and their Song of The Day on February 3rd, plus support from KOOP, KVRX and more. 

Gus Baldwin is a singer/songwriter/ex-hippie/part-time punk hailing from Austin, TX. After a stint holding down drums for Dallas surf punk legends Sealion in high school, Baldwin went on to form the Psych Pop combo Acid Carousel, which he led for 6 years and 20 something releases before departing the band on Halloween night 2021. 

 

Since leaving Carousel, Gus has made a name for himself as a solo artist in Austin, constantly performing as a singer/songwriter, one man garage band, or with his band The Sketch. Quickly releasing a string of titles on his own GetWithIt! Records imprint, including the EPs THRILLER II, and Live Bugs, as well as a slew of singles, Gus established himself firmly as the godson of Texas rock'n’ roll. Splitting his time as a frequent collaborator with The Black Angels, Baldwin also works with the likes of Christian Bland & The Revelators as well as The UFO Club with Night Beats frontman, Danny Lee Blackwell.

 

The Sketch is the full length debut of Gus' partnership with The Sketch. The album was recorded in one day at Studio 22 in Los Angeles by engineer Joey Oaxaca (White Reaper, Starcrawler). 

 

The Sketch will be available on LP, cassette and digital on January 31, 2025. Pre-orders are available HERE. 

GUS BALDWIN & THE SKETCH LIVE 2025:

02/20 Austin, TX - 29th Street Ballroom (album release party!)

03/15 Austin, TX - SXSW - Fiesta Destructo Party

04/03 Atlanta, GA - The Earl

04/04 Chattanooga, TN - The Boneyard

04/05 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone 

04/06 Louisville, KY - Whirling Tiger

04/08 Columbus, OH - Cafe Bourbon Street

04/09 Indianapolis, IN - Melody Inn

04/10 Chicago, IL - Liar's Club

04/11 Detroit, MI - Third Man Records

04/12 Cleveland, OH - Happy Dog

04/13 Pittsburgh, PA - Gov't Center

04/15 Rochester, NY - Skylark

04/16 New Haven, CT - Cafe Nine

04/17 New York, NY - Bowery Electric

04/18 Philadelphia, PA - Silk Club

04/21 Austin, TX - Mohawk Austin (w/ Prison Affair)

04/22 Houston, TX - The End (w/ Prison Affair)

04/23 Dallas, TX - Cheapsteaks (w/ Prison Affair)

Artist: Gus Baldwin & The Sketch

Album: The Sketch

Label: Permanent Teeth Records

Release Date: January 31, 2025

01. Part I

02. Part II

03. Part III

04. Itch 

05. Steady on It

06. Luxury Television 

07. Slacker’s Prom

08. (She’s Gone) Arigato 

09. Beautiful Delilah 

10. What the Freaks Say

11. Sympathy for Sunday

On The Web:

linktr.ee/gusbaldwin

instagram.com/buddy_gus

gusbaldwin.bandcamp.com

permanentteethrecords.bandcamp.com

Versus Machine (feat. Babel Map rhythm section & Failure collaborator) launch "Seafoam" video via Echoes & Dust

“A powerhouse trio blending post-grunge, alternative rock and psychedelia... Bold, boundary busting rock.” – Psychedelic Baby Magazine

“The PA power trio drop every kind of rock into the genre-bender till it overflows with waves of frothy guitar goodness.” -- Echoes & Dust 

Lancaster, PA trio Versus Machine share the official video today for "Seafoam" from their forthcoming sophomore album via Echoes & Dust. Watch/share "Seafoam" HERE. (Direct YouTube HERE.) (And now on all DSPs HERE.)

The band also launches Eastern US tour dates today. Please see dates below. 

It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine recently launched the lead track "Seafoam" in an extensive interview HERE. ProgRock Journal recently hosted "Red Queen" single with an interview HERE. 

Versus Machine is an innovative and genre-blending rock band whose members bring together years of experience from diverse musical backgrounds. The band's core is made up of singer/guitarist Stephen Tilley, bassist Michael James Stipe, and drummer Brian Doherty, with the group’s formation rooted in both past musical connections and newfound collaborations.

Stephen Tilley and Brian Doherty grew up together, forming a deep musical bond during their early years. Although they spent nearly a decade apart from playing together, their shared passion for music never faded. In 2021, Doherty reached out to Tilley, reigniting their creative partnership and rekindling a sense of musical chemistry that had been dormant for years. Their reunion marked the beginning of something fresh and exciting, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Versus Machine.

To bring their musical vision to life, Doherty and Tilley enlisted Michael James Stipe, a bassist known for his work with the band Babel Map. Stipe, with his distinct style and musical sensibilities, quickly became a key member of the group. It was Stipe who coined the band’s name, Versus Machine, a title that encapsulated the band's blend of raw energy, modern aggression, and intricate songwriting.

In 2022, Versus Machine recorded their debut album at Noisy Little Critter Studios with renowned producer Mike Bardzik. The album marked the band's arrival, showcasing their ability to fuse elements of post-grunge, alternative rock and psychedelia with an infectious energy and emotional depth. The record quickly gained attention from both fans and critics for its bold sound and honest, often introspective lyrics.

Following the success of their first album, Versus Machine continued to evolve. In 2024, they recorded their highly anticipated follow-up LP, set for release in February 2025. The new album is shaping up to be an even more ambitious project, blending hard-hitting rhythms, complex melodies, and daring sonic experimentation. The band’s sound has matured, and the new record promises to push boundaries even further, establishing them as one of the most exciting acts in the modern rock scene.

In addition to their work as Versus Machine, Tilley has been involved in several high-profile musical collaborations. He has worked with Kellii Scott, the acclaimed drummer of Failure, on two EPs. The second of these EPs is also slated for release in 2025, further cementing Tilley’s place in the alternative rock landscape.

Meanwhile, bassist Michael James Stipe and drummer Brian Doherty have garnered recognition for their contributions to Babel Map’s new album, Teeth, which was produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge. The duo’s work on the album earned them a prominent feature on the front page of Bandcamp Daily highlighting their growing influence in the underground and alternative music scenes. Doherty and Stipe are also slated to work with Martin “Youth” Glover in 2025 on their 4th album with their band Northern Gloom.

With the release of their follow-up album on the horizon, Versus Machine is poised to expand their fanbase and continue making waves in the rock world. Their combination of relentless drive, musical innovation, and heartfelt lyrics has already established them as one of the most promising and dynamic bands in the genre today. As they prepare to take the stage once again in 2025, all eyes are on Versus Machine, eager to see where their bold musical vision will take them next.

II will be available for download and streaming on February 27th, 2025. Pre-order HERE, pre-save HERE.

VERSUS MACHINE LIVE 2025:

01/30 - Cincinnati, OH - The Comet 

01/31 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Government Center 

02/06 - Winston-Salem, NC - The Den

02/07 - Durham, NC - Rubies 5 Points 

02/08 - Newark, DE - Tire Shop

Artist: Versus Machine

Album:  II

Record Label: self-released

Release Date: February 27, 2025

01. Pterodactyl

02. Runaway

03. Blanket

04. Interlude I

05. Gimmick

06. Seafoam

07. Acid Rain

08. Interlude II

09. Red Queen

10. Time Machine

11. Going Home

12. Creatures

Links:

linktr.ee/versusmachine_

instagram.com/versusmachine_

versusmachine.bandcamp.com