FISHBOY "Bravest Neighbor" cassette tape

LST-144 FISHBOY "Bravest Neighbor" Cassette Tape

Release date July 24th, 2026

BRAVEST NEIGHBOR
Exploring a neighborhood alley in Texas, a dad finds a strange little library. Pulling a notebook from the stacks, he discovers a mysterious series of stories each in different handwriting. In the curious pages the father finds odd tales of the residents of his cul de sac. Within every story a claim of bravery and valor – each making the case for their BRAVEST NEIGHBOR.

Edition of 100 solid red cassette tapes, comes with Bandcamp download code.

This is July's tape of the month for all Lost Sound Tapes club members. Join Lost Sound Club to get this + more on Bandcamp or Patreon.

BACKGROUND
The 8th studio album by Fishboy finds the Texas songwriter with more tales to tell – a 12 song examination of how a game of telephone in an imaginary community can touch on isolation, embarrassment, estrangement, and heartbreak. Stories sung of a neighborhood of strangers living together but apart, encouraging empathy for all.

Written between long walks in the 1970s worn-in neighborhoods of his beloved hometown of Denton, TX, Fishboy continues his exploration of universal topics through a local lens. Given the gift of time to wander his roads, the mystery of the strangers in his neighborhood created an opportunity to imagine detailed stories for each, with an album laying in wait.

The BRAVEST NEIGHBOR project is built around a community of creative heavyweights. Co-produced in Montreal with turntables by Kid Koala and featuring cellist Mark Glick (AJJ), mixer/drummer Matt Pence (Shakey Graves, Centro-Matic), and viral bass sensation Bret Crow. Mastered by Matthew Barnhart in his Chicago studio. 

All songs written by Eric Michener (Eric Edward Fishboy) (ASCAP) between summers 2022-2024 on walks through North Denton neighborhoods.

Produced, Recorded and Performed by Eric Michener in Denton, TX & Montreal, QB 2024-2025. Additional Production and turntables by Eric San/Kid Koala at the Record Room in Montreal, QB March 2025.

Mixed by Matt Pence who added drums (tracks 2, 8,11) with help from Nathan Walt at the Echo Lab in Argyle, TX.

Mastered by Matthew Barnhart in Chicago, IL

feat: Samuel Escalante on Bass (tracks 2,9) & single trumpet note (track 2,8,12) Bret Crow - Bass (tracks 2, 8) Mark Glick - Cello (tracks 7,9,10) Winnifred B. Barkin - barks on track 10 courtesy of Sam and Anjelica
Dick Michener as the voice of Decatur trying again on track 3

Artwork and photo by Eric Michener who is drawing a forthcoming adaptation of the lyrics into a read-a-long graphic novel.