Olympia, Washington-based band Pigeon Pit shares their newest folk-punk collection, crazy arms. Released on Jan. 17, 2025 via Ernest Jenning Record Co., the 12-track album marks the first release since the group evolved into a nationally touring 6-piece band. The album intertwines their signature twangy acoustic guitar and harmonica instrumentals with unique storytelling lyricism capturing the complexities of love, loss and everything in between.
It’s last call for nuance before we all get put against the wall so I’ll just cheers to the human spirit [. . . ] This is a bunch of love songs for how f****d up we are, and how beautiful it is how we try anyway. How we struggle every day to change our shared reality, to produce a world around us that makes sense to us [. . .] I’m just writing about what it feels like for me to hang on in a world that’s trying to kill the human spirit.”
– Lomes Oleander, Pigeon Pit front-woman
crazy arms opens with the up-tempo acoustics of “bad advice,” a song delving into themes of nostalgia, self-destruction and vulnerability. These motifs appear frequently throughout, weaving in and out of intricate chords and layered harmonies. Slower tempo songs, such as “stone song” and the album’s closer, “run your pockets,” are also mixed in to create a more diverse soundscape.
“keys to the city”
Pigeon Pit initially teased the album with the release of its lead single “keys to the city” on Dec. 6, 2024. Amidst fast-paced strummed guitar and heartfelt vocals, the song explores the intimate feeling of wanting to fit into the world. “Dilapidation’s on the inside / a city choking out the night sky / It’s gonna be another late night / whatever makes you feel alive,” the band sings.
‘Keys To The City’ is about being a part of the living flesh of the city, having fun in sketchy ways, the ways that make you feel real and excited to go out at night.”
– Lomes Oleander, Pigeon Pit Front-Woman
“bronco”
Lyrically restless and uncertain, “bronco” encapsulates the search for something greater, a motif present in a lot of crazy arms tracks. With over 60,000 Spotify streams, it is the second most streamed hit after “keys to the city.” Elements of Pigeon Pit’s signature banjo and guitar strums are unmistakably present throughout the piece.
Pin my wrists against the sunrise
Feel the bottle between my bare thighs sliding
Like a bronco I was made to ride your highs and lows”– “bronco”
Recording Process
crazy arms was recorded on a 1/2″ tape through a four-track in a friend’s basement, meaning the majority of the songs were recorded live without the ability to be dubbed over or redone. Failing to fit the piano into the studio, the band resorted to playing from the basement with wires and mics strewn throughout.
Working with all these insane restrictions forces you to get creative and gives the thing you’re working on a sort of living character. [. . .] It’s more country, it’s more pop punk, it’s more experimental, it’s more of everything. I’m just having fun with my friends.
– Crazy Arms
Performances
Over the past few years, Pigeon Pit’s presence has continued to grow across the globe. They toured with Laura Jane Grace during her American midwest/Canada tour in 2024, played shows across Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and even put on a Tiny Desk Concert via NPR in 2022.
If you’re a long-time fan or just getting into their music today, consider checking out some of Pigeon Pit’s upcoming performances! The band is currently touring across the U.S. alongside Foot Ox, set to play in western cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland and more. Find ticket information here.
Pigeon Pit Tour Dates:
01.24 – Olympia, WA @ Capitol Theatre (record release show)
02.27 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project *
02.28 – Eugene, OR @ House Show *
03.01 – Berkeley, CA @ 924 Gilman Street *
03.02 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Atrium at The Catalyst *
03.03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge (early show) *
03.05 – Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live *
03.07 – Sacramento, CA @ Starlet Room at Harlow’s *
03.08 – Arcata, CA @ House Show *
03.09 – Portland, OR @ Mission Theater *
* with Foot Ox
Pigeon Pit has released vinyl records of crazy arms alongside CD, cassette, and digital mediums. Purchase here today. And if you haven’t already listened, stream crazy arms today on all major platforms! Stay up to date by following Pigeon Pit’s Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.