Coming out of Sub Pop is this new single from Papercuts’ 4th LP Fading Parade: “Do What You Will” has a nicely understated opening that’s sort of dominated by a chunky bassline and whispering guitars and vocals, before turning on the big chorus sound. There’s a sort of ethereal-ness to it that’s pretty irresistible to be honest. Do What I Will? Okay, thanks! I’ll just, er… turn this up and shuffle around the room, maybe.
There was a line down the street when I arrived at the legendary 40 Watt Club in Athens for Beach House’s first ever performance in the city. It would also be my first ever Beach House show, and to be honest, I was pretty excited.
Too bad I had to sit through a marathon opening act. A teenager who only mumbled his name and then preceded to play short ukelele songs (some just a minute or so of strumming without lyrics) for about 80mins. It was punishing.
After that, the guitarist from Beach House who ALSO mumbled his name (I was paying attention, I swear to god) and then promised “this will be short and painless” played about 25mins of songs that were neither short NOR painless. I suspected that the gods were just testing me, to set up what would SURELY be a beautiful, magical performance by the band that the sold out room was there to see.
Right?
(Read the article)
iTunes Sessions is out today. It features:
Walk In The Park
Norway
Silver Soul
Real Love
White Moon
Gila
Read our review of Beach House @ Brooklyn’s Prospect Park here.
Beach House – Lover Of Mine (Roman Ruins Mix)
View our photos of Beach House @ Brooklyn’s Prospect Park here.
Two incredible back-to-back performances on a perfect summer’s evening – what more could you possibly ask for? The National recently dropped by QTV. Catch Beach House on their North American tour alongside Vampire Weekend. All superb photographs courtesy of Alexis Maindrault.
View more shots & download two tunes AFTER THE JUMP…
Pat Duffy, formerly of Pop Tarts Suck Toasted (RIP), checks in for us! It took me a long time to get into Beach House. While my blogging brethren were fawning over them all the way back 2006, we weren’t sold on the Baltimore based trio. The records just seemed boring and the live show followed suit, but the release of the 2010 standout Teen Dream changed everything for me. Somehow that record clicked and I was eager to see the band hit the stage at Pitchfork on Sunday afternoon. As the band hit the stage, they seemed a little cranky, maybe the heat was getting to them or maybe someone knocked over their beer backstage, whatever the case sitting in the photo pit I was a bit worried that we were going to get another pretty sounding but lackluster performance. Thankfully the band warmed up quickly, helped out by the thousands of fans pouring their energy into the band’s music. For most of their set, Beach House stuck to the new stuff, cranking out lovely tunes like “Zebra” and “10 Mile Stereo”. The setlist played right in line with my new found love of the band and the warm tunes were perfect for the afternoon sun. It was a solid set of tunes from a band that has finally cracked my soul with it making it one of the more impressive sets of the day. SPTR: 8.5.
View more photos & download a Beach House tune AFTER THE JUMP…
Enjoy the brand new Q&A session below. Be sure to watch ‘Zebra’ here.
MP3: Beach House – Norway
Enjoy ‘Zebra’ below. Catch Beach House on their North American journey.
All dates (alongside Vampire Weekend) are as follows:
8-28 Vancouver, British Columbia – Malkin Bowl
8-29 Redmond, WA – Marymoor Amphitheater
8-31 Troutdale, OR – Edgefield Amphitheater
9-3 Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater
9-5 Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
9-7 Toronto, Ontario – Molson Canadian Amphitheater
9-8 Montreal, Quebec – Metropolis Theater
9-11 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
9-12 Boston, MA – Bank Of America Pavilion
9-15 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
9-16 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
9-17 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
Earlier this month, Beach House performed at NYC’s Webster Hall.
Enjoy the full Q&A below. Read my review of Beach House in New York here.
