The Grand Rapids indie-rock band opens Michigander’s second annual holiday show in Grand Rapids tonight (Saturday) while eyeing more new music, more touring and a special album-release show.
Appreciating ‘Unique’ Things: PHABIES, performing earlier this year at The Pyramid Scheme. (Photo/Adam Briggs)
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Even in this era of digital streaming and constantly working to please the algorithm, Grand Rapids indie-rock band PHABIES is committed to crafting in-person experiences and thoughtfully designed physical media for their fans.
The release of the band’s sophomore album, “The Curse of Caring,” in June brought new influences, genres and topics to the group’s catalog and created an opportunity for band members to exercise other creative mediums to accompany the project.
Songwriter and vocalist Laura Hobson said she was inspired by several female artists — notably Adrienne Lenker, Caroline Rose and Laura Marling — as well as real-life experiences. Hobson went on a retreat of sorts in Cincinnati in search of new sources of inspiration. She cited mushroom foraging, talking about environmental issues with a beekeeper, and seeing the Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense” in a theatre as some experiences that made an impact.
“Whenever possible, I do like to write from experience, but I also wanted the album to not feel so sad the whole way through. I wanted pockets of joy, and so I had to try to find pockets of joy in my own life,” Hobson said.
These pockets of joy are certainly present on sunny tracks such as “No Sharks” and “Do You Love?,” but the album also embraces the gloomier side of things both in its subject matter and its visual components.
VIDEO: PHABIES, “No Sharks”
The album’s aesthetic focuses on bright yellow smiley faces that are often shown in bleak settings or with distorted photography effects. The water tower featured in the album artwork is one that Hobson remembers being bright and freshly painted throughout her childhood, but has since become rusty and faded.
“We wanted to use something that felt immediately recognizable, but then distort it in a way that felt true to how we feel inside,” said Hobson.
PHABIES still prioritizes releasing CD and vinyl copies of their albums in order to present their full artistic vision to their fans. Streaming has become a difficult way for independent bands to make any significant revenue, which has brought about a return to physical media for many.
“For us, that’s a huge part of the whole thing, putting out physical work into the world. Streaming really kind of distorted that for all of our processes for the last decade or so,” said bassist Garrett Stier.
Playing Elevation on Saturday: PHABIES (Courtesy Photo)
“Streaming numbers don’t really mean much to me, either, because a lot of my favorite musicians have less than 900 monthly listeners, and it means absolutely nothing related to their artistry, or their professional clout, or whatever you want to call it,” Hobson added.
The band also brings these visuals to life through cinematic music video productions and over-the-top live show celebrations. Over the past few years, band members have staged elaborate release shows and holiday themed live experiences complete with decorations, themed outfits and ways for fans to participate in the festivities. The alt-rock/pop-hued band even won video-of-the-year honors at the 2024 Michigan Music Video Awards for “Pink Christmas Tree.” (Video below.)
“It’s just a really great memory that sort of feels, to me at least, like the start of this phase of Phabies putting out albums. We like doing things unique,” said Stier.
The group has been looking forward to making plans to tour outside of Michigan when they can by taking any opportunity to reach new audiences. In 2024, Phabies opened for fellow Michigan musicians The Crane Wives in Chicago, earning them some new fans. They eventual plan a “fun and unique” release show for the band’s latest album.
“I did the whole ‘touring to nine people’ thing when I was in my 20s and I’m just not interested in doing that again. I’m working on being smarter with my time being more focused.”
PHABIES performs at The Intersection’s Elevation tonight (Saturday, Dec. 6), opening Michigander’s Holiday Special performance which also includes Grand Rapids indie-rock band Low Phase. Tickets, $35.40, for the 8 p.m. show are available online here.
VIDEO: PHABIES, “Pink Christmas Tree”
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
