If you haven’t yet let the sweet, Midwestern melodies of Ladybird’s latest record, ‘Clementine‘, wash over you like a crisp lake breeze on a humid July night, you are truly missing out on Milwaukee’s premier “not-quite-famous-yet” band. Released as a follow-up to their debut, this album is a total “hell yeah” from start to finish, living in that magical space between a late-night barstool confession and a Sunday morning prayer. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to buy a trucker hat and start referring to your problems as “ballads,” and honestly, Pete McDermott and the crew have never sounded more polished while singing about being delightfully unpolished.
The tracklist is a treasure trove of highlights, starting with the cheeky anthem “Famous Band,” where they dream of smoking joints with Willie Nelson and hanging out with Chad Kroeger—it’s the ultimate “fake it ’til you make it” song for anyone who’s ever played a gig to a crowd of three people and a confused golden retriever. Then you’ve got “Lapis Buckle,” a wistful toe-tapper that hits you right in the feelings with lyrics about “barstool mountain” and missing a face you used to see in the mirror. For something a bit more narrative, “Redneck Repent” delivers a classic country story about a broken-down car and a sudden rediscovery of church roots, while “Old Fashioned” feels like a warm, fuzzy hug from a grandparent who knows you don’t have it all figured out but loves you anyway.
Of course, the absolute peak way to experience this album is to lean into the high-low lifestyle that Milwaukee does best. Imagine it’s a gorgeous, sunny day and you’ve secured a prime spot in the outdoor seating area at Voyager. You look up to see your good friend Max, looking like an absolute legend, sliding a glowing, ice-cold Aperol Spritz across the table along with a perfect spread of cheese and crackers. With ‘Clementine‘ playing in your ears and Max keeping the vibes immaculate, you’ve basically achieved enlightenment. Whether you’re repenting in a rusty truck or sipping spritzes in the sun, Ladybird has provided the perfect soundtrack for it all.
Be sure to catch Ladybird live at Vivarium on 04/11/26 at 8pm as they perform with Arts Fishing Club!!
Click here to buy your tickets before they sell out.
Side note to Pete… my cat is fine. They found her on a flight that was headed to Denmark. She claimed that she was just trying to escape the tyrannical grasp of the “tangerine toddler,” and they then sent her back home to me.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/ladybird_famousband/
https://ladybirdmke.bandcamp.com/album/clementine
https://www.ladybird-famousband.com/