Listen: Taper’s Choice Release First Studio Album ‘Prog Hat’ on Streaming Sites

Taper’s Choice had been relatively dormant. Like a volcano, the one-time sleepy peak has erupted with the surprise release of their “first bonafide studio album,” Prog Hat, out today on Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms.

Prog Hat was primarily recorded over two days, in approximately three to four takes per song. Dave Harrington (DARKSIDE), Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend), Alex Bleeker (Real Estate), and Zach Tenorio-Miller (Arc Iris) pulled together a four-piece collection that features road-tested material, such as “Pino Botticelli,” “Doner Wrap,” and “The Dave Test (Yes).” 

Rounding out the collection is the new track, “Song Hat,” which sounds inspired by Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and embodies the album’s genre-incorporated title. The new album will sit alongside Taper Choice’s other hybrid studio/live releases, Choice Tapes Volumes I-V and the best-of compilation, History Of… 

For seekers of Taper’s live sound, the band will also embark on two series of live dates, beginning with their Westlands run, which picks up on December 4, at The Townhouse in Venice, Calif. The first round of appearances takes the band through their home state, with follow-ups slated for Ojai (Dec. 5), Venice (Dec. 11), Pioneer Town (Dec. 12), and San Diego (Dec. 13). 

The second series of live dates will commence on Jan. 30 at Ardmore Music Hall, with special guest Rich Ruth, who will remain on the road and in support of Taper’s during their ensuing East Coast concerts in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Jan. 31), and Washington, D.C. (Feb. 1). They’ll continue their trek through the Southern region, performing in Charleston, S.C. (Feb. 3), Asheville, S.C. (Feb. 4), Atlanta (Feb. 5) and Jacksonville, Fla. (Feb. 6) which arrives before they set sail on Jam Cruise. 

Closing out their press release, the band teased the potential for their live shows, adding, “whole new songbook,”  “we can work on the next studio record then too”, and “if we’re going to rehearse on a Sunday, I need to know ahead of time so I can stockpile parenting hours to make that work.” 

Stream to Prog Hat now. 

ALL TOUR DATES-

WESTLANDS 2025:

Dec 4 – Venice, Calif. – The Townhouse

Dec 5 – Ojai, Calif. – Deer Lodge

Dec 11 – Venice, Calif. – The Townhouse

Dec 12 – Pioneertown, Calif. – Pappy & Harriet’s

Dec 13 – San Diego, Calif. – Winston’s Beach Club

2026:

Jan 30 – Philadelphia, Pa. – Ardmore Music Hall*

Jan 31 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Brooklyn Bowl**

Feb 1 – Washington, D.C. – Pearl Street Warehouse*

Feb 3 – Charleston, S.C. – Charleston Pour House*

Feb 4 – Asheville, N.C. – Asheville Music Hall*

Feb 5 – Atlanta – The Earl*

Feb 6 – Jacksonville, Fla. – Jack Rabbits*

Feb 7 – 12 Jam Cruise

March 26 – 29 – Knoxville, Tenn. – Big Ears Music Festival

*with special guest Rich Ruth