Orlando soul-rock band The Sh-Booms (Website) has just dropped “This Is a Test,” the title single from their upcoming EP, marking the nine-piece band’s first new recorded music since 2019. The EP will be released digitally and as a limited-run 12-inch vinyl on March 10, with release shows planned for March 6 at Will’s Pub in Orlando and March 7 at Crowbar in Tampa.
“This Is a Test” runs over six and a half minutes with bandleader and bassist Alfred Ruiz describing the song as a sci-fi vision about two astronauts on a collision course in space who fall into euphoric intergalactic love while facing a treacherous mission – hear more from him in the Q&A below. Grammy-nominated engineer Alan Armitage produced the song at his Orlando studio, The Snake Arcade. Grammy Award winner Emily Lazar mastered it at The Lodge Mastering in New York.
The EP includes four tracks. Side A features “Love of a Ghost (Shivvvers)” and “This Is a Test.” Side B contains “Broken Open” and “Sin & The City (Heavy Weather).”
Vocalist Brenda Radney joined the band in 2015. She was previously signed to Justin Timberlake’s Tennman Records. Her addition helped propel The Sh-Booms to major festival appearances and shared stages with The Roots, Of Montreal, KRS-One, and The B-52’s.
SHINE: What prompted the six-and-a-half-minute runtime for “This Is a Test”? Was there pressure to keep it radio-friendly?
Al Ruiz: Quite the opposite, actually. This boring, soulless short-format algorithm that defines our now daily lives is why we went the opposite way. Full expression. Art before commerce.
SHINE: How did working with Alan Armitage at Snake Arcade change your recording process compared to previous releases?
Al Ruiz: It was an amazing process! We’ve never had the opportunity to fully develop an idea/sound in the studio with Alan producing us. We were his guinea pigs, and it gave us a chance to go back to the drawing board and pull out our creativity. Previous recordings we were on a time limit. It was fun. Just different this time around.
SHINE:The sci-fi concept feels like a departure. What sparked the astronaut narrative for the title track? (Cuz I’m totally into it)
Al Ruiz: Thank you, we are too! The idea is based on an astronaut’s failed mission. It’s an analogy for the start of a relationship, and it’s a turbulent adventure. A sci-fi vision of two astronauts on a collision course in the cosmic ocean. As they delve into the great unknown, they enter euphoric intergalactic love. But a treacherous mission may lay waste to the path forward. This is a test … now hold your breath. Side note: Our music video for the title track “This Is a Test” is directed by our friend John Taylor. He grew up in Cocoa Beach and his father worked for NASA. He’s helping tell the story visually.
SHINE: How did the band stay creatively connected during the 2020-2025 gap when touring wasn’t possible?
Al Ruiz: Through developing this EP! We were in the studio experimenting constantly, listening to all kinds of records from 80’s new wave, no wave, to psych, soul. It was an amazing opportunity to find a new sound.
SHINE: With a nine-piece band, how do you balance everyone’s creative input in the studio versus live performance?
Al Ruiz: Most of the band has been around since the beginning, so we operate pretty organically in a live setting and during rehearsals. In the studio, Alan helped produce, so he brought some new ideas to try, and we all adapted.
SHINE: You’ve shared stages with everyone from The Roots to The B-52’s. Which show taught you the most about your own sound?
Al Ruiz: I think our biggest takeaway is that in the beginning, we were trying to sound like something. Now, we are something, our own creation. Those bands taught us to believe in ourselves and our vision and stay true to it.
SHINE: What’s the plan after the vinyl release shows? Are you looking at a full tour or focusing on more recording?
Al Ruiz: The plan is to keep writing and rehearsing to get back in the studio. Everything is just flowing at this point. We’ve been a band for over 10 years, so we’re selective about what shows/tours we wanna take on. Excited to see doors opening again since we’ve been in hiding making this EP!
