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What’s the Deal: Here’s the scene: It’s late in the evening on a Saturday night, and there’s a line full of 16-to-30-year-olds wrapped around the block extending away from the large black door of the New Brookland Tavern in Columbia, South Carolina. Tonight, local, epic, electronic rock band Baumer is playing, and it’s going to be a packed house. A sizable portion of those dance party hungry hipsters clad in t-shirts both black and neon waiting in queue will not even make the capacity cut-off point. But, many of them will stand outside for a good portion of the set, listening from the street. Inside, as Baumer heats up, the cramped crowd bounces and sweats to New Order-inspired electronics, indie rock guitars and a bold voice not unlike that of Muse singer Matthew Bellamy. This isn’t a rarety for the band; it’s every time they play a show in their hometown.
Baumer’s second release for Eyeball Records, Were It Not For You, is coming out in March, and it picks up right where Come On, Feel It left off. “Make Way For The King” has just the kind of enormous sound that you would expect from a song with such a boastful title. It begins with some playful synth circa 1984 and builds upon that with layers of guitar, drums, bass and a voice that hits every desired note almost too flawlessly. It’s a great blend of grand, guitar rock pomp and keyboard quirk. “Take What’s Mine” off the debut has an undeniable dance beat and showcases the very impressive range of Baumer vocalist Nate Boykin.
Something Interesting: Baumer is playing SXSW this year. So, you’ll get a chance to judge for youself. There’s no clues as to which events they’re playing, but their MySpace has them in town for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “In Your Stead” and “Come On, Feel It”
What’s the Deal: With the way this eight-piece outfit adds a ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ to the beginning of their names, it’s bound to remind us of a religious cult or, more likely, The Mamas & the Papas. This group, led by siblings Will and Lily Courtney, has a timeless folk pop sound combined with catchy, country rock ballads that has also welcomed comparisons to The Jayhawks, The Band and The Byrds, among others. Will started the group with his sister after becoming disenchanted with the L.A. music scene, where he went to make the music of his idols, and moving to Austin. The group released their self-titled debut in 2006, which included some more raw and flawed tracks as well as some that seemed like they were folk ballads too impeccable to be from a local group.
Brothers and Sisters have a new album set to be released this spring, and if “You’re Gone” is any indication, it’s going to be a doozy. The textured infectiousness of the chorus is enveloping, and the trusty acoustic chords and electric twang make this an alt. country gem. The slow draw of the pedal steel and violin on “Old Love Letters” give the song a slow sentimentality that’s only boosted by the harmonies to come, which are a little reminiscent of Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell’s Begonias.
Something Interesting: “Without You” off their debut was used in the fourth season of The O.C. In this episode, Ryan isn’t sleeping and Seth vows to not call Summer. Hmm, it’s too bad it wasn’t in the first season, back when people still cared. Also, the Courtneys are the children of a Baptist preacher and a Grammy-winning gospel singer who was called “The Christian Barbra Streisand.”
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “One Night”
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