NEW MUSIC MONDAYS
THE WINTER SOUNDS - The Anthem is a Gift
I’m drawing a blank on who suggested this band to me, but whoever you are, thank you. The Winter Sounds, from South Carolina, feel new to me. I mean, I know they’re not treading entirely original ground, but they pull together my favorite elements of other bands into a cohesive one-stop-orchestral-indie-pop-shop. They have the harmonies of Fleet Foxes, the soaring melodies of The Gloria Record, and the aural aesthetic of Of Montreal’s more poppy moments but without all that obnoxious shock-and-awe, avant-garde shit. EDIT: I just got the new record from the band, and add a heavy dose of The Killer’s style pop/rock to those references and you’ve got a pretty accurate description!
But the thing I think I like most about The Winter Sounds is their work ethic. The band averages 150-200 shows a year, and they do it all without a booking agent or label. I appreciate that kind of work ethic because it reminds me of me about 5 years ago. It’s a nomadic lifestyle and it’s really fucking hard to maintain. So props to you, The Winter Sounds, I wish there were more bands like you. Keep fighting the good fight!
Check out The Winter Sounds doing a bitchin’ live cover of Toto - Africa, below.
