Shelf Life is longtime Philadelphia sideman/recording engineer Scotty Leitch, recently seen drumming for Alex G. He’s stepping out front to release his first album of solo material, Everyone Make Happy, on the venerable Lefse label this fall. Album opener “The Curse” is a homespun ’90s-style indie rock chestnut delivered with warmth and idiosyncrasy. Lazy acoustic strums and trippy keyboards serve as the basis for Leitch’s charmingly twee narration, filtering memories of early Modest Mouse and Built To Spill through his own distinct musical perspective. It’s one of those introductions that leaves a huge impression without making a big show of it. Listen below.

Everyone Make Happy is out 9/18 on Lefse. Pre-order it here.