Artist of the Week

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

If you’re a fan of indie music, super long band names and a unique sound, then you must listen to Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

Named after the first President of the Russian Federation, SSLYBY is an indie pop band that has released about a dozen albums in the past 10 years.

SSLYBY was formed by Will Knauer, Philip Dickey and John Robert Cardwell in 2002 during their freshman year of college. They would record their music in their dorm room and play local shows in Springfield and Columbia, Missouri.

SSLYBY’s first official album, Broom, was released in March of 2005. It was an indie success and got their name out in the world of indie music.

Three months after the death of Boris Yeltsin, SSLYBY performed in Moscow, Russia at the Afisha Picnic music festival.

SSLYBY released their latest album, Fly By Wire, in 2013, which is the final album John Robert Cardwell will be involved in, due to his departure from the band.

I started listening to SSLYBY a couple of months ago after I heard they had a song titled “Harrison Ford,” which was named after quite possibly one of the most important actors in Hollywood history.

“Harrison Ford” will remain my favorite SSLYBY song as long as I live, not because it is named after my favorite actor, but also because the melody and the vocal sound of Philip Dickey is exquisite. The band also has some other amazing songs, such as “I Think I Wanna Die,” “Modern Mystery” and “Glue Girls.”

If you’re a fan on SSLYBY, you’ll also love Tokyo Police Club, who toured with SSLYBY in 2011.