I got to Pemberton in the dead heat of Friday afternoon. After lugging a cooler to the far corner of the campground, I wandered off toward the “B-live” DJ tent to meet up with my fest’ group, but I was drawn away from the discouraging line by the sounds from the smaller of the two outdoor stages. Something about experimental indie rock draws me like an E-head to an all-night dance party.
The five strangers on stage were playing their asses off and, needless to say, I was Goddamn impressed. Not just because it was one of the tightest performances of the festival, but ’cause this band’s sound is somehow familiar and unerringly original at the same time. Out of Seattle, the group’s mix of conservative synth use, busy guitars, and modern rock sensibilities is like indie and prog rock met somewhere near [after hearing more of their discography, more like nowhere near--I really can't describe this band with reference to other bands I know of] mainstreamers like Maroon 5. The result is an impressively cohesive and fresh sound. They dish out hooks and progressions like real rock vets. Biggest surprise of the festival, and they were off stage before most people had so much as seen a band. After Minus the Bear, even Metric seemed pretty average, and Metric is no slouch of a band.
This is a pick for any fan of new rock music, mark my words. Check ‘em out.
