Photos by Charlie Boss
MJ Lenderman first surfaced as a member of Wednesday, the North Carolina indie band that released the critically hailed album “Rat Saw God” in 2023. But this year the emerging singer-songwriter and young guitar hero has stepped into the spotlight. He was a featured guest on Waxahatchee’s latest album, “Tiger’s Blood,” which came out in March. In September, Lenderman released the new solo album “Manning Fireworks,” his first effort for the well-respected ANTI-record label.
Lenderman grew up in Asheville, and his dad exposed him to gritty country-rock bands from the early aughts like Drive-By Truckers. But he also took to introspective songwriters like Jason Molina, and on his instrument, there’s clear inspiration from Neil Young’s fuzzy ragged tone. With these influences swirled together (add some of Pavement’s 90’s slacker demeanor, as well), Lenderman has honed a style—some twang, some distortion—that’s both original yet comfortingly familiar. In the process, he’s become one of the most exciting upstarts in indie rock, selling out large clubs across the country.
The songs on “Manning Fireworks” are filled with witty bites of humor that mingle with undertones of sadness, often giving a sly grin to the absurdity of the mundane. In the album’s lead single, “She’s Leaving You,” Lenderman offers a deadpan look at a character dealing with a midlife crisis, poking fun at the idea that cranking some Eric Clapton and buying a Ferrari will provide the cure. The protagonists in “Wristwatch” and “Joker Lips” are also down and out, but the songs’ swelling, Southern-flavored rock arrangements provide fist-pumping catharsis.
Lenderman has a huge slate of tour dates booked through the middle of next year with his dynamic backing band, the Wind. He’ll perform at the National in Richmond on May 19.
Five Essential Songs
“She’s Leaving You”
The lead single from Lenderman’s latest album is a jangly rocking earworm about a character going through a midlife crisis. The theme is downcast, but the hook is super sweet and features a vocal assist from Lenderman’s Wednesday bandmate Karly Hartzman.
“Wristwatch”
Another low-key gem from “Manning Fireworks,” this track finds Lenderman channeling the late Jason Molina as his lyrics blend goofy observations with sadly endearing sentiments. In the fall, Lenderman and his band, the Wind played a great version of this song on “The Tonight Show.”
“Hangover Game”
The first track on Lenderman’s 2022 album “Boat Songs” is a crunchy, comical jammer that features Lenderman re-stoking the rumor that Michael Jordan’s infamous “flu-game” was caused by the NBA legend having a few too many adult beverages the night prior.
“Right Back to It”
This song comes from Waxahatchee’s latest album, “Tiger’s Blood,” which features Lenderman as a special guest on many tracks, including this slow-burning meditation on a long-term relationship.
“Women Without Whiskey”
Hear Lenderman channel the influences he learned from his dad when he sings this Drive-By Truckers tune on Wednesday’s 2022 covers album “Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ’em Up.”
