Lambchop gives guest singers its guitar demos on Demoed
Lambchop announced Demoed, a seven-track project in which guest singers replace Kurt Wagner over early guitar demos from Punching the Clown. MJ Lenderman’s Weakened is the first preview. The digital release is set for 20 November, with a physical edition on 5 February 2027, as Wagner pursues his idea of letting the songs outlast his role as frontman.
Arts··Evening
Seven tracks with other voices
Lambchop announced Demoed on 27 October, returning to the early guitar demos for Punching the Clown with guest singers in Kurt Wagner’s place. The seven-track project is scheduled digitally for 20 November and physically for 5 February 2027 through City Slang and Merge. MJ Lenderman’s version of Weakened is available as its first preview. Punching the Clown, released in August, was Lambchop’s seventeenth album and its first full-length release since The Bible in 2022.[1], [2]
Broder proposes returning to the demos
Wagner’s songwriting partner Andrew Broder proposed inviting musicians whose distinctive voices they admired to sing over the guitar demos. Participants received both the early recordings and the finished album, with a request to keep their contributions simple. Wagner said he had long imagined Lambchop continuing beyond his own participation. With two generations already represented and a third beginning to contribute, he wants the songs to take precedence over his appearance and position as the group’s public figurehead.[1]
The singers behind each version
Circuit des Yeux and Alan Sparhawk share A Doctor in the House. Channy Leaneagh sings Stella, Dan Wriggins takes White People and Lauren Auder performs The New World Wave. Flock of Dimes contributes Afterburner, while More Eaze sings Andrew Jackson Asshat. Lenderman’s Weakened completes the seven versions. Wagner explained that the songs remain work made by Lambchop, with another singer taking his place in the final presentation.[1]
