Article Text

Chris Goodin transformed a drive past his childhood home into music, tapping nostalgia, loss and self-examination for the first album from his band, Lovesick Loner Car. The group will bring those songs to Jammin’ Java in Vienna on Thursday, July 11.

Goodin had long wanted to write about his old neighborhood. He said reaching adulthood—and being part of a generation drawn to nostalgic music—put him in the right frame of mind. Even his former car, a 2004 Toyota Corolla, helped inspire the work.

The album explores difficult moments from several angles. “Moving Forward” considers divorce and whether people can change. “One Step” follows a 20-year-old living with their parents, immobilized by fear but unconcerned with others’ opinions. “I Said Hey” centers on releasing the past, while “Love Is a Drug” examines personal mistakes, emotional masks and hiding.

Other tracks take the record into still darker territory. “Whisky and Women” looks at a combination that can end badly, and “Abandoned Buildings” addresses the suicide of one of Goodin’s friends.

“They’re all kind of dark,” Goodin said.

A few years ago, while filming a music video in Falls Church, Goodin and his bandmates felt drawn back to his former home. Although the house was not part of the video, they stopped and knocked on its door.

The upcoming performance marks Lovesick Loner Car’s second appearance at Jammin’ Java. Goodin will be joined by bassist Eric Stevens, drummer Daniel Kim and lead guitarist Jordan Davidson, a former member of the local Jean Marie Band.

The group’s rock influences include Rage Against the Machine, Death Cab for Cutie, Goo Goo Dolls and Lord Huron.

Goodin also studied music recording at Blackbird Academy in Nashville. During an internship, he met and spent time with John Oates of Hall & Oates.

Before the Vienna show, Lovesick Loner Car plans to release a new single, “Back to You,” on July 3.