Frog: NY Slice Session 2026

Brothers Daniel and Steve Bateman and Thomas White of Frog released their lucky seventh album, The Count, in September. It was actually one of two albums this New York band released last year; in February 2025, they also dropped the critically praised 1000 Variations on the Same Song.

Often compared to bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and Yo La Tengo, Frog leaps to more adventurous territory with The Count, expanding on their quirky, lo-fi indie rock. It's a captivating concept album about a magnetically mysterious music man making the rounds of NYC clubs who, as Frog describe in a lengthy explanation, is "the kind of man, in short, that you could stare at for ages, if only he wouldn’t stare back."

For their first visit to FUV for a "NY Slice Session," Frog — with Daniel on lead vocals and piano, Steve on drums and backing vocals, and Thomas on bass — played two songs: "SAX-A-MA-PHONE VAR. XII" and "BARUCH ATTA (IN THE MIDDLE SONG) VAR. XVI."

The guys, who embark on their "Frog for Sale" tour this April, also took the "NY Slice" pop quiz where they talked up Charlie Haden, Ringo Starr, and a pizza joint find not far from Penn Station.

[Recorded: 11/10/26: Engineered by Jim O'Hara with Erin Merriman and Nadia Garriga. Produced by Meghan Suma. Videographers: Nikki Phillips,  Therese Burgo, Bella Lipayon and Lily Crean.]