Project Description
Similar Artists: Fountains of Wayne, Jeffrey Lewis, The Olivia Tremor Control
Not a Moment Too Soon is the one-man-band-alter-ego of tenured political science professor and Africanist Pierre Englebert. The project began in 2019 as a tongue-in-cheek reflection of the late age (he just turned 59) at which he started the musical project.
Influences range from 1970s rock to classical to French pop, with power-pop punch and rock-like rhythms taking precedence. Not a Moment Too Soon tells stories with a non-judgmental lighthearted touch on heavy social commentary (race relations, guns, economic vulnerability, sex work). The songs, often funny stories, also convey emotions like love, sorrow, and loss. Direct references to old-style Queen can often be found. Examples include the musical mannerism of “A Manly Man I Am” or “Scarlett, We Need to Talk” and the baroque Sparks style in the concise (16 seconds) “Long Story Short.” The influence of bands like Squeeze can be heard in rock-ballad songs like “Self-Pity Party.” For the punchier rock pieces, there are influences of Cheap Trick, Sweet, and XTC.
News
RELEASES
“When the Feces Hit the Fan” (Single)
Release Date: September 22, 2021

A banger of a rock piece, it follows a character who has a lot of skeletons in his closet. It was inspired by a line in the Tiger King series where the protagonist says “Everybody’s got a past.” Read more
“In the Zoom Breakout Room” (Single)
Release Date: October 27, 2021

The fast-paced power-pop song follows the story of a young man and woman who fall in love after meeting in a Zoom breakout room. They become a couple in real life as the “doom and gloom” period of the pandemic passes. Read more
Bio
Not a Moment Too Soon is the one-man-band-alter-ego of tenured political science professor and Africanist Pierre Englebert. The project began in 2019 as a tongue-in-cheek reflection of the late age (he just turned 59) at which he started the musical project.
"How to Become a One-Man Band: To understand how Professor of Politics Pierre Englebert became a veritable one-man rock band, step briefly into his musical shoes.”
“elegantly arranged pop music full of sophisticated chord changes and voicings... sinewy vocal melodies, complex arrangements and interestingly layered production choices."