Best Ex Explained
Best Ex is the stage moniker of American songwriter Mariel Loveland. Loveland previously fronted the pop punk band Candy Hearts before launching her solo project in 2017. Best Ex was named one of NJ.com's 32 artists to watch in 2022.[1] The following year, she released her debut studio album, With A Smile.[2]
History
With Loveland at the helm, Best Ex initially began as an offshoot of Candy Hearts.[3] In 2017, the band hired Alex Fitts as a producer, announced the project, and released their debut EP, Ice Cream Anti-Social, on Alcopop Records.[4] During the release, they embarked on a co-headlining tour of the U.S. with Shane Henderson of Valencia,[5] adding touring member Matthew Florio.[6]
Ice Cream Anti-Social received coverage from publications like DIY (magazine)[7] and Alternative Press (magazine), who called the band's poppier sound "Loveland’s perfect fit."[8] The summer after the release, Best Ex performed on the final run of Warped Tour,[9] where Mariel opened up to The New York Times about experiencing abuse within the music industry.[10] She said, "Instead of my team and the people who worked for me being like 'We’ll do what we can to make you feel safe' ... it was 'Why did you open your mouth?'"
When Loveland returned home, she struggled to adjust to life off the road, penning an essay in Billboard about her experience.[11] She ultimately enlisted Andy Tongren of Young Rising Sons as a producer and recorded what would become Good At Feeling Bad in his kitchen.[12] Loveland later explained her decision to distance herself from the pop punk genre, relaunching Best Ex with heavy electronic and pop influences[13] and signing to No Sleep Records.[14]
In May 2020, amidst on-and-off coronavirus lockdowns, Best Ex released Good At Feeling Bad.[15] Earmilk described the single as a "gorgeous contrast of melancholic lyrics against a pounding club beat."[16] Loveland promoted the release in a virtual concert tribute to Joey Ramone with We Are Scientists and The Futureheads.[17]
In 2022, it was announced on social media[18] that Best Ex had signed to Iodine Recordings and planned to release an LP in 2023. The Fest also announced that Best Ex were on the official lineup for Fest 20.[19]
Discography
LPs
EPs
- Ice Cream Anti-Social (2017)[21]
- Good At Feeling Bad (2020)[22]
Notes and References
- Web site: NJ.com . Bobby Olivier NJ Advance Media for . 2022-01-16 . 32 N.J. bands and artists you need to hear in 2022 . 2022-03-28 . nj . en.
- Web site: Best Ex Announces Debut Album 'With A Smile' . 2023-10-10 . idobi Network . en-US.
- Web site: Michael Astley-Brown . 2017-08-16 . 10 questions for Best Ex's Mariel Loveland . 2022-09-19 . MusicRadar . en.
- Payne . Chris . 2017-05-05 . Candy Hearts Changes Name to Best Ex, Premieres New DIY Synthpop Jam 'Girlfriend' . 2022-03-28 . Billboard . en-US.
- Web site: 2017-05-10 . Promise Of Redemption to headline tour with Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) . 2022-03-28 . Alternative Press Magazine . en.
- Web site: Magazine . Bop . 2020-07-09 . Finding Ordinary Things Beautiful Is Important For Mariel Loveland of Best Ex . 2022-09-19 . Bop Magazine . en.
- Web site: BEST EX get 'Ice Cream Anti Social' on new EP . 2022-09-19 . DIY . 13 July 2017 . en.
- Web site: Dickman . Maggie. Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) balance punk and pop on sugar-coated debut EP . 2022-09-19 . Alternative Press Magazine . 14 July 2017 . en.
- Web site: 2018-07-09 . Shiragirl Stage To Be At PNC Bank Arts Center For 2018 Vans Warped Tour . 2022-03-28 . NewJerseyStage.com . en.
- News: Knopper . Steve . 2018-06-21 . 'It Was 11 Guys on a Bus, and Then Me': Women on the Warped Tour . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-09-19 . 0362-4331.
- Loveland . Mariel . 2019-08-22 . Life After the Road: Finding a Way Home When the Tour Ends (Guest Column) . 2022-03-28 . Billboard . en-US.
- Web site: Here's everything you need to know about Best Ex's new EP, 'Good At Feeling Bad' . 2022-03-28 . Upset . en.
- Web site: admin . 2019-11-19 . a conversation with best ex's mariel loveland on her new musical direction . 2022-03-28 . ease up magazine . en-US.
- Web site: 2020-06-05 . Best Ex Gets 'Good At Feeling Bad' . 2022-03-28 . American Songwriter . en-US.
- Web site: Quarantine Diaries: Best Ex Singer Mariel Loveland Is Playing Ukulele & Watching Brad Mondo Hair Videos . 2022-03-28 . www.grammy.com.
- Web site: Album Review: Best Ex - Good At Feeling Bad . 2022-09-19 . EARMILK . 22 May 2020 . en-US.
- Web site: Pearis . Bill. Joey Ramone Birthday tribute to feature mems Buffalo Tom, Art Brut, Futureheads, more . 2022-09-19 . BrooklynVegan . 9 March 2021 . en.
- Web site: Iodine Recordings . Iodine Recordings on Instagram: "Welcome Best Ex to Iodine Recordings! . 2022-09-19 . Instagram . en.
- Web site: Best Ex Band Lineup The FEST 20 . 2022-09-19 . thefestfl.com.
- Web site: Harris . Will . 2023-11-28 . Mariel Loveland of Best Ex on Leaving the Candy Hearts Behind and the Partial Delusion Required to Make It in Music . 2023-11-30 . Q Magazine . en-US.
- Web site: 2017-07-14 . Best Ex (formerly Candy Hearts) balance punk and pop on sugar-coated debut EP . 2022-03-28 . Alternative Press Magazine . en.
- Web site: PREMIERE: Best Ex Announces "Good at Feeling Bad" EP with "On My Mind" Video . 2022-03-28 . FLOOD . en.