Think male/female indie harmonies, and what comes to mind? Mates of State? Well, try letting your lips get comfortable with Arthur & Yu. They are the childhood nicknames of Seattle multi-instrumentalists Grant Olsen (Arthur) and Sonya Westcott (Yu), and their debut, In Camera, is an organic, acoustic folk delight. Flute sounds, wood blocks, glockenspiel and plenty of tambourine along with conventional rock elements create a sound that’s minimal yet layered. In Camera is not only the first record for the band, but the first for Hardly Art Records as well. The brand new label was started by Sub Pop Records founder Jonathan Poneman and is a subsidiary imprint of the legendary indie rock label. Arthur & Yu were signed swiftly, and the label decided to release the demo for In Camera virtually as it came without a high-production, glossy finish. A wise move indeed.

Great Lake Swimmers w/ Arthur & Yu, Martin Crane of Brazos
Wednesday, October 10th
Stubb's Inside
Doors @ 8p.m.
Tix $10 advance; $12 day of show

Great Lake Swimmers Official
Great Lake Swimmers MySpace
Arthur & Yu MySpace

The result is raw and personal while very stealthily avoiding cheese. Influences like the Velvet Underground, Nancy Sinatra and a dash of French lounge ooze out from the corners. Olsen’s vocals are a bit echoey and a little gritty, while Westcott’s are breathy and sweet like your mother telling you a secret before bed. Together, they sound like the haze lifting off the street and grass in the first moments of morning. The instrumental twinkles and strums that accompany oscillate between a gentle awakening and a lullaby. The sound feels natural and pure, and there’s a undeniable catchiness to tracks like “Come to View (Song for Neil Young).” There’s also a strong current of remembering running through the narration of the record. Lines in the lyrics point to childhood seances in “The Ghost of Old Bull Lee,” and “Half Years” is full of nostalgic visions of climbing trees and pellet guns.

Headlining act Great Lake Swimmers bring their melodic folk down from Ontario with somber vocals, acoustic chords and a healthy dose of banjo. Their third album, Ongiara, was released in March and it featured appearances by Sarah Harmer, Owen Pallett and other notable Canadian musicians. Martin Crane of Brazos will open the show. Come join us:

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