Being in an independent punk rock band can be fun, but it can also be hard work without a guaranteed reward, and the Bobby Lees got to know that better than they hoped while on the road in support of 2022s Bellevue. Long stretches of low-budget touring and recording albums without recouping their expenses put enormous stress on the group, and founder and leader Sam Quartin was beginning to buckle mentally and physically under the strain; the Bobby Lees went on hiatus in 2023. Fortunately, they had a fan who was willing to help and also happened to be rich and famous — actor Jason Momoa, who featured the band on his HBO series On the Roam, and offered to finance their next album. 2026s New Self reflects the pain and frustration in the years leading up to its release, as Quartins lyrics capture the hard work of trying to be heard; songs like “Give,” “Napoleon,” “The End,” and “Got Me Good” all speak eloquently about the struggles that come with being a