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Michael McCabe

@ratsofreason

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- my album “Strange & Careful Creatures” is available on bandcamp and all streaming platforms
- dm for booking
- Pittsburgh based

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Hey! I recorded an album! It’ll be available August 7th on all the streaming platforms.
It’s made up of 7 of the songs I’ve written and is called Strange and Careful Creatures. A single, called Close Enough, will be streaming on June 26th.

Album art was done by @woolgatherpgh . They did a fantastic job, I think it fits the vibe of the record perfectly and I really appreciate their skill and effort. If you haven’t already, go check out all the other cool things they do/make!

The album was recorded, produced, and mixed by @nathandouds at @incite_studio
Nathan also did all of the percussion and a most of the other instruments.
@doudsnjoy played double-bass and background vocals throughout the album.
Basically this wouldn’t have happened without both of these incredibly talented, cool, and kind people and I’m grateful to know and work with them. They have both put a ton of amazing work into this. Also the excellent @brianjunker1 played mandolin on one of the songs!!!

This is a first for me and kind of a huge personal milestone. Recording is something I never thought I’d get to do, so it’s really neat to still exist at this stage in my life and be able to share music. I wrote most of this in the middle of the night, playing an unplugged electric guitar and singing very quietly. Somehow I feel like that comes across in the final version of these songs (I mean this in a good way). I hope you like it.

Very much love,
Michael

Also we’re doing a full band show on September 6th, I’ll post more about that soon.

🐀 by @ratsofreason

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3 months ago

Something for Saturday

The first half was planned

#guitar #ratjazz #pittsburghmusic #autumnweather by @ratsofreason

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5 hours ago

Artist: Rats of Reason
Album: Strange & Careful Creatures
Release Date: 08/07/2026
Genre: Indie/folk/rock/alternative

Where You Can Find It: https://ratsofreason.bandcamp.com/album/strange-careful-creatures

For Fans Of: @ofmonstersandmen @vinewhipmusic @deathcabforcutie @turnoverva @mumfordandsons @brighteyesofficial
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If you're looking for your next indie folk rock fix, the debut release from Pittsburgh artist @ratsofreason is sure to do the trick. Featuring a blend of fresh, poignant lyricism, expansive yet intricate instrumentals, and delicate, well-produced vocals, this release is perfect for lighting a candle and listening to the rain on a stormy autumn day.
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Immediately while listening to the new release we are introduced to the artist's classical finger-style guitar rifts via the first track, "A Year in Reverse." The track features whimsical nature imagery and lengthy instrumentals, alongside impassioned, yet soft & lamenting vocals. The following track "Close Enough," has a slightly more bitter tone, and features a more percussive sound amidst an honest reflection of being unable to escape a harsh reality. "Go to the Show" expands upon RoR's signature fingerpicking style with the addition of piano/keys and low/bass range vocals. "Body of Greed" is slightly more experimental - with ominous, distorted electric guitars to emphasize the lamenting tone of the record - as well as an intricate and intentional percussive instrumental build in the middle of the track. "Scribe (Everything Else)" features reggae influences with a slower yet energetic tempo that is sure to have listeners "bopping along." The penultimate track, "The Bones of This Thing" sits at 6:33 and includes beautifully harmonized, haunting lyrics such as "The hands I have are never sore," and speaks of change, toxicity in love, and nods at slight nihilism. The record ends with "To Grips," which ties it all together with resounding instrumental choruses and a melancholic sentiment akin to bitter winter rain - concluding the entire work on a suspended chord; leaving the listener to question where they've ventured to.
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#musicreviews #littlefirereviews #indiefolk #indierock #indiemusicreview by @ratsofreason

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8 days ago

tuning is c a c a c d

This isn’t done yet, but I don’t think it needs much more, I want this to be a short song.
I’m suddenly more into alt tunings does anyone have any suggestions?

Lyrics

Waste all, want all
Creative lull finds me
flailing in the shallows of my

Old haunts, want not to waste
But the trash can’s quick solution is compelling

#guitar #slideguitar #ratjazz #songslyrics #tiredmama by @ratsofreason

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16 days ago

You must come to @bellevuemusicfestival
I’m playing a 45 minute solo set at 3:30 at tavern pizza.
🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀
Tons of music will be played all day it’ll be great

Plus I live in Bellevue now so you will be at least within a mile of my cat which is an immeasurable gift by @ratsofreason

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17 days ago

Good morning (I know it’s not morning anymore)

Here is close to 3 minutes of improv if you’d like to listen 🐀

#guitar #ratjazz #pittsburghmusic #almostfall by @ratsofreason

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21 days ago

Thanks to everyone that came to the show at @thegovernmentcenter on Sunday! Here are a few pictures and videos from it. It was a really special night for me, and I loved having the chance to play the album all the way through with @nathandouds and @doudsnjoy as well as @brianjunker1 , who played mandolin on The Bones of This Thing. Nathan and Nadine (as well as Justin from @mawpaw.band (who took the videos in this post)) have a show at @banthateabar on Saturday that I’ll be at. It’ll be great, you should come!
Anyways, I’m really grateful for all of the encouraging feedback I’ve gotten about the show and the album, so thanks again for everyone that came, and thanks to everyone that has listened to it!
Oh also, these pictures were taken by @daveykubacki !!

Later this month on the 23rd I’ll be playing at the mt Washington farmers market. And then on the 26th I’ll be at Bellvue music festival. Come say hi.

That is all.
Have a nice Friday.
🐀 by @ratsofreason

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22 days ago

Coming soon to a farmers market near you

#guitar #itsfall #ratjazz #pittsburghmusic by @ratsofreason

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25 days ago

Thanks everyone that came to the show tonight I’m feelin very grateful right now :) by @ratsofreason

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a month ago

Today is bandcamp Friday. Or it is in less than two hours at least. I thought that bandcamp Friday was every Friday until I got an email from bandcamp today reminding me about bandcamp Friday being tomorrow. Friday. But specifically this Friday. So I guess bandcamp Friday is slightly more special than I thought. You can and should buy my album on bandcamp Friday. Tomorrow. I think it’s a neat album.

This is a chorus-y thing that I made a low quality recording of using my phone, if you can believe it. And behind me there are some hanging plants.

Goodnight or goodmorning
🐀

#plants #pittsburghmusic #guitar #bandcampfriday by @ratsofreason

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a month ago

Who is this creature in my home

#doristhecat by @ratsofreason

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a month ago

Hi. I and several other folks are playing music from 4 to 8 today (Sunday) at @backalleybrewing to benefit the dormont food bank. It’ll be a nice time, stop by and say hey. This video is a cover of Love Come and Save Me by Right Away, Great Captain! I didn’t watch it prior to making this post, so hopefully it’s fine. I just finished watching the movie Event Horizon and the tv is still on, hence the blue glow. It was alright. I may have seen it before, but I don’t remember. Anyways I love this song, but I’m not going to play it tomorrow. Come to the show if you want to hear the things that I do end up playing. Also come to the government center on 9/6 for my album release show, I’m really excited for it :)

If you read this far you have won my heart
🐀 by @ratsofreason

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a month ago