Pastel Hell is an experimental pop band led by songwriter Alex Fox Tschan. Their sound may conjure images of Robert Smith in a bucket hat, or David Bowie in wide-leg Dickies. No need to be alarmed if a brawl breaks out 25 years ago—much dexterity is accessible within the righteous denim legs of our Jnco’s (left leg Tears, right leg Fears). Big influences surely come from the UK crooners of yore (Edywn Collins u up?), but also contemporary lyric-centric songsmiths like Destroyer, Weyes Blood, King Krule, & Father John Misty. All spiced with a lyrical perspective of someone coming of age in the 90s & early 2000s.

Tschan is from Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay where he first started writing songs at age 14, largely because of seeing SLC Punk! & Good Will Hunting. A few years later at 17, having saved up enough money from his construction job, he bought the Gibson SG you hear all over Ruthie. It has been his one & only axe for nearly two decades. From Elliott Smith to Robert Fripp, Tschan has accumulated a number of guitar idols over the years, culminating in his inventive style.

In 2009, Tschan moved from Blacksburg, VA (where he attended college) to Brooklyn with his band The House Floor. After having garnered a little national buzz from their lone epic album, Warship, they disbanded in 2011. Tschan continued writing & recording different projects until finding creative solace as Pastel Hell in 2015.

This new 12-song collection of work was written & recorded entirely at Tschan’s home studio in Brooklyn between October 2020-October 2021. Ruthie is often confessional, drawing upon addiction, godlessness, inspired romantic hope, infatuation, searing loss, internal hypocrisy, & coping through the majesty of dark comedy. We hope you enjoy.