Nodnarb - Windfall

​Nodnarb

Windfall
self-released; 2022

​By Dino DiMuro

Multi-instrumentalist Brandon Schafer hails from Indianapolis and records under the name of Nodnarb, which is his first name spelled backwards. Schafer was a sideman in various groups over the years, and currently plays pedal steel for The Jeremy Vogt Band. He calls his debut solo EP Windfall  “a sonic distillation of rawk, country and noise pop” in which Schafer sings and plays everything himself. That’s maybe common nowadays, but Schafer’s arsenal includes guitar (with B and G benders), bass, synths, drum programming, pedal steel and even saxophone. 

All recording took place in Schafer’s home studio using Logic without tons of bells and whistles: “I don’t really feel like paying for much other software.” Aside from download, this album is available in a cool, collectible 45 rpm vinyl pressing.

My first impression of the EP is that Schafer has a great, grungy guitar sound that bespeaks several decades of hard rock and alternative influence. Given my theory that any song with pedal steel turns into a country track, a couple tracks do seem to switch genres in midstream, which I immensely enjoy. As with many indie artists (and I speak from experience) Schafer’s singing voice is a bit rough hewn; somewhere between Sebadoh on the high end and Beat Happening on the low. But vocals that are less slick and commercial are an indie music hallmark and Schafer’s voice serves his songs quite well. The mix is serviceable in a lo fi sense, but many of the instruments are combined in the center and would benefit from more spread in the stereo image.

“Strung” starts the collection with a murky, reverb-heavy picked electric guitar riff, vaguely reminiscent of The Police. Surrounding (and almost obliterating) the guitars is a slow cyclone of white noise, which eventually reveals itself as a somewhat sinister recitation. When the song proper kicks in, the guitars are deliciously crunchy. Schafer’s vocals are hard panned left and right, and at times suggest Steve Miller at the bottom of a whisky glass. Thematically the song deals with being “strung out” over a lost love instead of drugs. The guitar riffs are deceptively simple (basically two chords) but have a bite I can’t get enough of. Instead of an electric lead break, Schafer takes a sax solo that’s just on the edge of total anarchy. When the song ends, it simply stops in its tracks.

“Daybreak” moves into a major key with some fine, classic rock soloing right up top. In this scenario it seems a love relationship is ongoing but feels like a “debauchery joyride” (love that phrase!). Overall this track follows the “Strung” template pretty closely until the middle break, which introduces the pedal steel for the first time. I was thinking “Okay, this is a decent rock track” but when those first sliding strings appear, it’s like the air in the room literally changed. Listen on headphones and see if you agree! Pedal steel is a magic instrument in the right hands and it’s immediately clear why it’s Schafer’s main axe. Likewise his guitar solo uses string benders, giving it a lap steel quality. Another dead stop, and we’re on to “Cycle.” After the relative simplicity of “Daybreak” we’re back to Schafer’s more inventive chord schemes. Though not a funk tune, the vibe of the chorus breaks remind me of the Ohio Players classic single “The Funky Worm” thanks to the retro synth solo. 

“Burn” is an upbeat rocker with a staccato, step-up riff for the verses. Schafer again takes a few bendy solo moments. There’s a lot of lyrics here that feel like a list of things you might do every day: “Get up, wake up / Refill, full cup / Drink coffee, you’ll feel fine / Get high, drink beer / Feel no pain as night unfolds.” Enough of the lyrics repeat so that it really does feel like an endless cycle that will eventually burn you out.  

“Dimension” ends on an uncertain thematic note. Our narrator is moving on from a bad situation, town or affair, but into an uncertain future. Schafer does not disappoint with more off-kilter riffing, a generous amount of chord slurring and one final tasty, biting guitar solo. The set ends as it began, with swirling voices speaking lyrics from the ether.

​Schafer has some great ideas and a unique sensibility that is totally worth checking out!

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