With punk roots and power-pop sensibilities, alternative-rock band Family Man burst onto the scene in 2019 with the energy and enthusiasm of novices but the talent and dedication of pros. Their upcoming debut EP “What’s New” is a refined cacophony of experimental synths, deeply personal lyricism and punk enthusiasm. Deeply inspired by the turmoil of one of the members’ recent breakup, the band put their heads together to create a symphony of darkness coated in light. When asked to describe the album’s sound, the group defines it as the result of a lot of angry/sad songwriting and lyricism disguised by happy/upbeat melodies. With heart wrenching singles like the title track, What’s New and the softer, but equally moving, Should’ve Known Better drawing listeners in with the vulnerability of both Bryan and Conner’s vocal performances accompanied by the equally moving emotionality of the group’s instrumentalism, the band introduces themselves with their heart on their sleeves. Fearless and honest but never without humor. The album may be deeply cathartic in nature but the band still manages to play with the complex range of human emotionality, with songs like Bakery Moon coming into the mix to alleviate some of the heaviness. With the deceivingly playful title and upbeat melody, it’s easy to forget the witty and poignant lyricism at its heart. But that duality is what sets Family Man apart and allowed them to make the perfect breakup record ; honest, painful but ultimately hopeful. 

The band’s duality is further demonstrated by their approach to performance. Despite the desolate live music scene of the past two years, the band managed to make a name for themselves as not only artists, but performers. Describing themselves as two bands in one, their focus during live shows is to entertain and rile up the crowd to the best of their abilities while, in the studio, their goal is to convey a message through each of their songs - while developing killer earworms in the process. With a sound deeply influenced by the so-cal sound and mid-2010’s indie/punk rock scenes, as well as artists such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Parquet Courts, The Strokes and (early) Arctic Monkeys, their music’s versatility has the potential to reach a diverse and vast group of listeners. 

With singer/guitarist Conner hailing from California, the band met when he and Bryan (drummer) lived across the hall from one another in a Montreal dorm after both had moved to the city for university. While Conner’s first impression of Bryan was thrown off by the former’s incessant late-night drum sessions, they’d later meet at a wine mixer and hit it off ; going on to form their first group together (Cheap Ohio). After a few years together, Cheap Ohio dissolved and Family Man was born. When the original bassist had to leave the new group within the first year, a coworker of Conner’s at the time, Liam (bassist) stepped up to the plate.