![the last names [mp3] Introducing // The Last Names](http://tympanogram.com/files/the-last-names.jpg "the last names")
Sure, Tennis may be the go-to act if you’re asked to name the first indie pop husband and wife duo that comes to mind. But that may soon change. The Last Names, made of up husband and wife Justin Rice and Darbie Nowatka from Brooklyn’s Bishop Allen, have crafted an album titled Wilderness that is dripping in 1960′s California sunshine pop. The album is scheduled to be released in the spring, but the happy couple have released three songs from the album for free, available for download on their Bandcamp page.
The matrimony and playing experience from Bishop Allen reaps benefits for The Last Names from what I’ve heard released so far. The familiarity and closeness between Rice and Nowatka comes across in the enchanting melodies, both in the vocals and in the musicianship.
The first song, “The Dirt,” has a vibe reminiscent of The Mamas and The Papas to it among the trebled guitar strums and lighthearted keys. The duet’s vocal harmonies on the track are the standout element that provides the easy-going vibe. These harmonies don’t appear on the other two tracks, “Dead Reckoning” and “One Black Feather,” each of which highlights one-half’s voice – Nowatka on the former and Rice on the latter. The tracks are well worth the free download and it would serve us all well to be on the lookout for when Wilderness is released in its entirety.
On a different note, The Last Names also incorporate some playfulness in their work. They just started a ’52 Covers’ project which involves them releasing a new cover song each week. You can find these covers on the band’s Tumblr, and so far, they have released “Everybody’s Happy Nowadays” by The Buzzcocks, “So Far Away” by Dire Straits, and “The More I See You” by Chris Montez. The band also takes requests for these covers on their Tumblr in the ‘Ask’ section, so feel free to submit if you want to hear their take on one of your favorites.
Connect with The Last Names // web | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
The Last Names // The Dirt [mp3] from the forthcoming Wilderness
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