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FISHBOY
Bravest Neighbor (XLFNT Records)
Add date: 7.28.2026
Release date: 7.24.2026
Links:
Apple Music
Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
Official Website
Spotify
Tidal
Tiktok
YouTube
BRAVEST NEIGHBOR
Exploring a neighborhood alley in Texas, a dad finds a strange little library. Pulling a notebook from the stacks, he discovers a mysterious series of stories each in different handwriting. In the curious pages the father finds odd tales of the residents of his cul de sac. Within every story a claim of bravery and valor – each making the case for their Bravest Neighbor.
BACKGROUND
The 8th studio album by Fishboy finds the Texas songwriter with more tales to tell – a 12 song examination of how a game of telephone in an imaginary community can touch on isolation, embarrassment, estrangement, and heartbreak. Stories sung of a neighborhood of strangers living together but apart, encouraging empathy for all. Written between long walks in the 1970s worn-in neighborhoods of his beloved hometown of Denton, TX, Fishboy continues his exploration of universal topics through a local lens. Given the gift of time to wander his roads, the mystery of the strangers in his neighborhood created an opportunity to imagine detailed stories for each, with an album laying in wait. The Bravest Neighbor project is built around a community of creative heavyweights. Co-produced in Montreal with turntables by Kid Koala (Deltron 3030, Gorillaz) and featuring cellist Mark Glick (AJJ), mixer/drummer Matt Pence (Shakey Graves, Centro-Matic), and viral bass sensation Bret Crow. Mastered by Matthew Barnhart (The Mountain Goats, The New Pornographers, Superchunk) in his Chicago studio.
RELEASE
Scheduled for release on Friday, July 24, 2026 and functioning as a larger self-funded art project, the Bravest Neighbor album is the centerpiece of a larger concept that includes a deluxe packaged album, two-hundred page read-along graphic novel (release TBA), live stage show, and more. An expansive conceptual package all united by Fishboy’s distinctive graphic style and all released on the band’s XLFNT imprint label. Album/graphic novel previews, images, and additional background information available upon request.
BIO
Starting as a high-school art project in the 1990’s, Eric Michener’s alter-ego Fishboy has been the source of eight studio albums, countless comic books, and multiple eccentrically themed projects mythologizing his adopted home of Denton, Texas. National and international tours have carried Michener’s love of small town history and lore to multiple continents – highlighting the unique culture of a small city he loves. Most recently Eric has created a series of roving street performances that act as outdoor storytelling concerts. These include celebrations of the viral online video “Price Master” and a tongue-in-cheek look at time capsules with Waitsgiving (now an on-going community celebration in Denton since 2021). The popularity of Eric’s annual performances in North Texas has grown to be recognized by the City of Denton as well as regional and national media outlets including Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, The Texas Standard, NPR and Bandcamp Daily.
Photo Credit: Adam Neese
Apple Music
Bandcamp
Official Website
Spotify
Tidal
Tiktok
YouTube
BRAVEST NEIGHBOR
Exploring a neighborhood alley in Texas, a dad finds a strange little library. Pulling a notebook from the stacks, he discovers a mysterious series of stories each in different handwriting. In the curious pages the father finds odd tales of the residents of his cul de sac. Within every story a claim of bravery and valor – each making the case for their Bravest Neighbor.
BACKGROUND
The 8th studio album by Fishboy finds the Texas songwriter with more tales to tell – a 12 song examination of how a game of telephone in an imaginary community can touch on isolation, embarrassment, estrangement, and heartbreak. Stories sung of a neighborhood of strangers living together but apart, encouraging empathy for all. Written between long walks in the 1970s worn-in neighborhoods of his beloved hometown of Denton, TX, Fishboy continues his exploration of universal topics through a local lens. Given the gift of time to wander his roads, the mystery of the strangers in his neighborhood created an opportunity to imagine detailed stories for each, with an album laying in wait. The Bravest Neighbor project is built around a community of creative heavyweights. Co-produced in Montreal with turntables by Kid Koala (Deltron 3030, Gorillaz) and featuring cellist Mark Glick (AJJ), mixer/drummer Matt Pence (Shakey Graves, Centro-Matic), and viral bass sensation Bret Crow. Mastered by Matthew Barnhart (The Mountain Goats, The New Pornographers, Superchunk) in his Chicago studio.
RELEASE
Scheduled for release on Friday, July 24, 2026 and functioning as a larger self-funded art project, the Bravest Neighbor album is the centerpiece of a larger concept that includes a deluxe packaged album, two-hundred page read-along graphic novel (release TBA), live stage show, and more. An expansive conceptual package all united by Fishboy’s distinctive graphic style and all released on the band’s XLFNT imprint label. Album/graphic novel previews, images, and additional background information available upon request.
BIO
Starting as a high-school art project in the 1990’s, Eric Michener’s alter-ego Fishboy has been the source of eight studio albums, countless comic books, and multiple eccentrically themed projects mythologizing his adopted home of Denton, Texas. National and international tours have carried Michener’s love of small town history and lore to multiple continents – highlighting the unique culture of a small city he loves. Most recently Eric has created a series of roving street performances that act as outdoor storytelling concerts. These include celebrations of the viral online video “Price Master” and a tongue-in-cheek look at time capsules with Waitsgiving (now an on-going community celebration in Denton since 2021). The popularity of Eric’s annual performances in North Texas has grown to be recognized by the City of Denton as well as regional and national media outlets including Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, The Texas Standard, NPR and Bandcamp Daily.
Photo Credit: Adam Neese