Giveaway: Ascend With Chairlift [Friday at Emo's]

Synth-pop trio Chairlift formed with the worthy aim of providing "live music for haunted houses." We’re not sure whether this was more of a literal project or a hipster allegory. But what’s certain is that those of you who’ve never heard of Chairlift have in fact heard Chairlift, thanks to the godlike power of the Ipod commercial, that modern-day deus ex machina plucking bands out of obscurity.

Chairlift’s sound is one of perpetual suspension, as if the band were all performing in a martial arts movie, flying around on wires. The signature acrobatics described in their candy-colored, Ipod-promoting single "Bruises," ("I tried to do handstands for you…") emanate from Caroline Polachek’s tumbling vocals. Her voice provides much of the lift promised by the band’s moniker on their 2008 debut, Does You Inspire You.

Preferring vaguely Oriental chords and retro-minded beats, the overall impression made by Chairlift is unabashedly cartoonish. It’s both jangling and bubbly, and heavy on the command form school of lyrics last seen dominating the 80s. The track "Planet Health" reminds us to "stop, drop and roll" at the foot of an actual "food pyramid" caused by litter. This could very well have served as a public service ad narrated by Captain America in 1987. Though Chairlift fares best on feather-light songs like "Bruises," what thirtysomething hipster heart doesn't have a soft spot for 80s throwback?

Opening for Chairlift at Emo’s this Friday will be the winningly earnest TV Torso, along with former Zykos frontman Mike Booher and his new group, The Turkeyz. Enter to win tickets below:

Chairlift [Myspace]
TV Torso [Official]