The Outdoors

July 8, 2011

We met up at Sam’s place, a back house up a number of narrow stairs (how these bands keep getting pianos into these hilltop homes is a mystery to me) in Echo Park, on one of those days that was still dead hot at 7pm. It was one of those odd old craftsman homes that kind of felt like a seaside cabin somewhere in the Northwest (all wood-clad walls in a front room with windows looking west). Thankfully they’d already setup most of the mic’s we’d need, which always makes my life easier, and had put some careful thought into making the songs work stripped down (which I always think makes for a more better video), including inviting a number of friends to cameo on the sing-along “I’m Just Drifting.”

It’d been kind of a long time coming getting together with these guys, we’d been talking about doing a session since their EP and tour back in the Spring, but never made it happen. Since then they’ve gone back into writing-mode for an upcoming album (which I gather tends to involve retreating out to live and muse in a remote location … sounds fun), but they reconvened for this quick session (after having to scrounge together a fill-in bass player). The first band everyone will probably compare these guys to is the National, which isn’t a bad thing if you ask me. You can’t argue with the sound when the melodies are this catchy, backed perfectly with dissonant arrangements and slick harmonies. Their debut EP (and live sound) is strikingly polished, and in the new songs (that I’ve heard) they definitely seem to be exploring shaping unique soundscapes to back those hooks.

Side note, Amy Wood definitely gets the record for most valuable video alum. That girl is in so many bands! Also, they graciously provided pizza and beer, yes.

Find out more at http://www.theoutdoorsmusic.com/

Camera: Elliot Glass & Dave Smallen
Sound: Elliot Glass
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