On it’s face, the new song from San Francisco’s Vetiver is less folk-centric than their previous output. ”Wonder Why” is not “Everyday” – the first single from their 2009 release Tight Knit (and one of my favorite songs of that year). Andy Cabic and co. have picked up a slightly more electric feel in the past two years, and they wear it well. It’s not overpowering enough to neutralize Cabic’s wistful voice, but it lends some weight to his lyrics, which, in this case, are more world-weary than in the past. It’s nice to hear the band stretch their legs a bit here and shed some of the folk label that they’ve cultivated over their first few releases.
The Errant Charm was developed while Cabic wandered the streets of San Francisco’s Richmond District, poring over lyrics and arrangements, and – at least on this track – that spirited, jaunty nature shows through. The Errant Charm will see its release on June 14th, and can be pre-ordered now through Sub Pop on CD and wax.
The band will also be heading out on tour in support of the release. Head over to their website for the full range of dates.
Back toward the middle of January, Vetiver did a quick, 10 show or so tour, and they started it off in Rochester. (A couple of the band members are from Rochester, so it’s not as odd as it looks on its face.) Whatever you’ve heard from the band, it’s exactly how they sound in concert. They mix in interesting covers, and generally keep an easygoing pace throughout the entirety of the show.
One of their better sounding songs that night wasn’t even theirs; it’s a cover of an A.R. Kane track that I hadn’t heard before. Turns out, I’d had their cover of it in my collection already, but I don’t remember ever having heard their version of it either. Regardless, their version of it is as wandering and sunshine-y as the rest of Tight Knit was. And it’s excellent.
After a week off from the remix, we’re back with an easygoing reinterpretation of an early 2009 track:
At first blush, Vetiver isn’t the type of group anyone would expect to be remixed. Their music is squarely in the folk vein, filled with strumming guitars and softly delivered vocals. Back at the beginning of the year, their song “Everyday” from their 2009 release Tight Knit was on constant repeat, and will probably be in the Top 5 of my most played songs for the year. Tight Knit wasn’t filled with similar songs to “Everyday,” however, and as is often the case with songs that are loved that intensely, the album didn’t personally impress. The only other track that really stood out was an up-tempo, bouncier one titled “More of This.”
The Neighbors RMX of “More of This” (done by Vetiver singer Andy Cabic himself) strips the song of its original swing-your-partner feel and gives it a much more laid-back, spacey delivery. It loops the instrumentation, echoes the vocals off of the walls and slows things down. It’s an interesting take on an already solid number.
Dave is working on a post about wedding songs for today, but since I’m not married, I can post any old love song I want.I’m feeling kind of simple this morning, so here are a couple folk-y, acoustic tunes for your Valentine’s Day. I hope everyone has a happy one.
001: Joywave - Ridge/Traveling At The Speed Of Light 7"
tympanogram on Facebook
Upcoming Western NY Concerts
NOTE: Concerts are in Rochester unless otherwise noted.
1/5: Les Racquet
1/12: Joywave with Old Tapes, Dave & Marissa
1/13: The Dads
1/14: My Brightest Diamond
1/17: Josh Netsky Band with Cuddle Magic
1/18: Tycho (Buffalo)
1/26: Avicii
1/26: A$AP Rocky (Buffalo)
1/28: The Crystal Method (Syracuse)
2/11: Blind Pilot (Ithaca)
2/22: William Fitzsimmons
2/24: Mike Doughty
2/25: Charles Bradley (Buffalo)
2/29: Summer People
3/3: Matthew Good
3/5: Evening Man
3/23: The Men
3/30: tympanogram’s 3rd Birthday with Born Gold, Old Tapes, TBA
4/20: fun.
4/23: Cults (Buffalo)
5/6: Bear In Heaven (Ithaca)
5/7: M83 (Buffalo)
an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum, and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.
Basically, it sounded like a cool name for a blog intended to be primarily about music. We’d both had other blogs previously, but over beers it was decided that more damage could be done as a joint venture. And here we are.
We share a passion for the undiscovered and under-appreciated, and hope that you’ll be able to find something you love as well.
Disclaimer
The music offered on this blog is for sampling purposes only. If you enjoy something you hear here, please go out and buy the music, see a show, or purchase some merchandise. Posted mp3s are available for a limited period of time only.
If there are any materials featured here that are your intellectual property, and you would prefer them removed, please notify us and we will be happy to oblige.
Contact Us
Do you have an artist or band you think we should hear? Please feel free to let us know and we'd be glad to give it a listen.
Submissions can be sent here, or email us for an address if you wish to send physical submissions.
Please note that we try our hardest to respond to all submissions, but we get a lot of requests, so we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Also, if you're interested in advertising on Tympanogram, feel free to get in touch with us here.
About the Author: Dave
I like music. I can't describe how I came to like the music I do, because I don't know how or why, I just do.
Many years ago, Napoleon's brother, my great-great-great-great-great-great Grandfather, came to America. He was asked his name on Ellis Island while being processed as an immigrant. Not understanding English, he was under the impression that he was being asked how he had arrived in the new land. So he turned around and pointed at the sea vessel and said, 'LaBarge.'
About the Author: Andy
I come by my music taste of my own free will. My friends listened to 2Pac, my parents to contemporary Christian and me? Sunny Day Real Estate. I can’t explain it.
“Music, true music, not just rock ’n’ roll, it chooses you. It lives in your car, or alone, listening to your headphones…” - Lester Bangs
![vetiver the errant charm [mp3] New from Vetiver // Wonder Why](http://tympanogram.com/files/vetiver-the-errant-charm.jpg "Print")
Back toward the middle of January, 
[Single]
After a week off from the remix, we’re back with an easygoing reinterpretation of an early 2009 track:
Dave is working on a post about wedding songs for today, but since I’m not married, I can post any old love song I want.
