Today marks the immediate release of a very special BIG STIR RECORDS “Bonus Single” from IRENE PEÑA and her band. “It Must Be Summer” b/w “The Summer Place” are out at www.bigstirrecords.com/big-stir-digital-singles right now. FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE fans will immediately recognize that this summer themed project is a tribute in remembrance of Adam Schlesinger, and comes at the end of the strange sad summer in the year since his passing due to complications from COVID-19. We are honored to bring you these interpretations of a pair of FOW classics.

Hot on the heels of her cover of Tom Petty's “I Won't Back Down” recently released on Futureman Records, Irene and her remotely-distanced band recorded these tracks while quarantined. The players here include John Borack (Popdudes, The Armoires) on the drums, Jeff Colchamiro and Ron Allen on guitar, Steve Zeilman on bass and Irene herself on vocals.

Since the independent release of her debut album Nothing To Do With You in 2011, singer-songwriter Irene Peña has maintained a more-than-steady relationship with pop music. Planting her roots in Seattle, she's mastered the art of converting her jangly power pop tunes to acoustic sets that have managed to rise above the din of espresso machines. She's also kept a pocketful of bandmates close by to rock the local venues when possible, and her connections with musicians on the global guiarar pop scene (like the fine players on both sides of this single) allow her to genuinely rock even during the pandemic era.

Irene has continued to tour (in-person and virtually) and promote her original tunes, while recording and releasing her well-received Trying Not To Smile EP in 2017.