Through the years Greg Hoy has lived, worked, and performed from New York to California. He now calls the Bay Area home. The prolific producer has released dozens of recordings over the years, cultivating a sound that pairs the proto-punk energy of heroes like T-Rex with a modern lo-fi indie aesthetic.

Yay for Effort is the brand new solo album from Greg Hoy, released worldwide via all major streaming services on June 23, 2023. Greg composed, produced and performed every note on the ten song collection. This is a quieter set than much of his previous material.

From the lo-fi drum groove and acoustic guitar riff that introduce the esoteric poetry of “Oh No”, to the analog/electronic experimentation of “Dim Sun (For Everyone)”, Yay for Effort is a deeply personal and introspective album, recorded at time of great transition in the world, and in the singer’s own life. Throughout the record, Greg Hoy lends his signature poetic style to observations on life and love, inspired by the recent loss of several important people in his life, including his father, a college bandmate, and his career mentor.

Stylistically the wistful record recalls the softer side of Greg Hoy’s rock and roll heroes. Tracks like “Listen Up” and “Firedrill” bring to mind the latter-day solo work of The Replacements genius Paul Westerberg. The jazzy “Today is Not The Day to Die” hints at the vaudeville camp of the great Tom Waits. 

Although most of the record is acoustic, Hoy stomps on the distortion box for the excellent Big Star-style indie-rocker “Comfort Vendetta”. A few drum loops work their way into the production as well, as in the ‘old man yelling at the sky’ allegory “Lonely Satellite”. Those solid-state moments are brief however. Yay For Effort is a largely analog, tube-driven affair.

Check out Yay For Effort in its entirety below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the song “Comfort Vendetta” on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. Greg Hoy will be on tour throughout the summer. Get on his socials and get in the know.