Bria Salmena used to lead in Canadian group FRIGS and, along with bandmate Duncan Hay Jennings, ended up as members of Orville Peck’s backing band. Signed to Sub Pop (Royal Mountain in Canada), she released two Cuntry Covers EPs as Bria, and now no longer a part of Peck’s band, has released her debut single under her full name.
“Bending Over Backwards” is slinky dreampop powered by a groovy, rat-a-tat beat with lightly twangy guitars lifting the melody and Bria’s vocals skyward. The song was co-written by Jennings, who co-produced it with U.S. Girls’ Meg Remy. It also features contributions from her former FRIGS bandmate Lucas Savatti on bass and piano, and Cola’s Evan Cartwright on drums.
“I come from a punk background, and then I explored my affection for country music. I feel like those two worlds are combining, and I’m finding my own sound within that,” says Salmena.
Watch the video for “Bending Over Backwards” below.