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Squanderers Announce New Album Bright Madness: Hear “Theme For The Casino At 5 A.M.”
Squanderers, the improvisational guitar-bass trio of David Grubbs, Kramer and Wendy Eisenberg, have announced their third album, Bright Madness, due out via Drag City in September 2026. The group, formed two years ago, has quickly built a body of work exploring sparse, meditative instrumental music, and this release continues that trajectory while marking a move to a new label.
The album follows 2024's debut If A Body Meet A Body and 2025's Skantagio, both released on Kramer's Shimmy-Disc imprint. Bright Madness comprises nine tracks, and its lead single, "Theme For The Casino At 5 A.M.," has been shared alongside a Kramer-directed music video, described as an eerie, ambient/post-rock piece consistent with the band's established sound. The album is set for release on 25 September and is available for pre-order.
In short
- Squanderers announce third album, Bright Madness, out 25 September
- First single "Theme For The Casino At 5 A.M." released with video
- Album marks the trio's move from Shimmy-Disc to Drag City
Explained simply
Squanderers is an instrumental rock band comprising guitarist David Grubbs, bassist Kramer and multi-instrumentalist Wendy Eisenberg. The trio specialises in sparse, meditative instrumental music that combines guitar and bass improvisation with experimental soundscapes.
Formed two years ago, Squanderers has quickly built a body of work, releasing two albums on Kramer's independent label Shimmy-Disc: If A Body Meet A Body in 2024 and Skantagio in 2025. Both albums explore the band's approach to sparse, meditative instrumental music.
The band's third album, Bright Madness, is due on 25 September 2026 via the independent label Drag City. The nine-track album continues the band's focus on instrumental improvisation and experimental composition.