“If you’ve never heard music before, you’ve never heard nothing like us” says Andrew Toups of Lafayette, LA pop outfit Brass Bed. Truer words were never spoken. Drawing influences from Television, Big Star, Dukes of the Stratosphere and 60’s pop revivalist acts like the Louisiana rooted Elephant Six Collective, Brass Bed’s Melt White takes on the shape of an album by a very accomplished act. It’s difficult to accept that this is the band’s first official release, but that’s what it is. Drifting effortlessly between abstract noise, swirling guitars and skillfully crafted pop tones, the sound is equal parts classic and modern, ballsy & still sweet? Isn’t that the code these days?
From this wealth of musical wisdom comes their new LP Melt White, presenting 11 sonic adventures. Recorded in Austin, TX with Danny Reisch at Cacophony Recorders and Good Danny’s studios, this album presents the potent live Brass Bed sound on tracks like “Pop Mission” and “Begs Me Not To Beg” and studio playfulness of their early home recordings on “Aria” and “God Save The Thieves”.
Download an mp3 of “Begs Me Not To Beg”
Download an mp3 of “Pop Mission”
If crafting an amazingly diverse and powerful rock record isn’t enough, the band is also touring the country in support of it, and widening their travels and tales with gems like the time Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse) slapped Christiaan Madar (lead guitar/vocals) in a Dallas, TX bar after Madar said he was from Louisiana. No blood spilled, just awkward confusion as Brock was also very insistent that the slap be returned without explanation for his initial assault. He made good further by putting the whole band on a VIP list for the Modest Mouse show the following night. Hoping for slaps of even greater magnitude (your publication perhaps), Brass Bed are going back on tour once again, willing to deliver a performance that will melt your brain. Bring a bottle of water.
With the live Brass Bed show, there’s a spirit of brevity as the band seamlessly flows into and out of songs with feedback and clever arrangements that bridge one song from the next – this is something you’ll want to hear and share. They’ve whittled their craft while sharing stages with bands like The Walkmen, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Here We Go Magic, Generationals, Elf Power, and Oakley Hall. It shines through, this band has matured into quite the display of what is capable in a live rock show. Melt White is frittered with the bounty that only the meticulous craft of timeless songs can bring about, and we are very excited to be bringing it to you this fall on Park the Van Records. Park The Van formed in New Orleans, LA and brought the world Dr. Dog. We’ve since become the home great bands such as Generationals, The Spinto Band, The Teeth, and The High Strung. Hope you dig Brass Bed, see them live at one of the many stops below.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES – (more on the way)
Friday August 27 @ Tipitina’s in New Orleans, LA
Friday September 17 @ Antone’s in Austin, TX
Saturday September 18 @ Limelight in San Antonio, TX
Thursday September 23 @ Spaceland in Los Angeles, CA
Saturday September 25 @ Old Ironsides in Sacramento, CA
Sunday September 26 @ TBA in Arcata, CA
Monday September 27 @ Wandering Goat in Eugene, OR
Tuesday September 28 @ The Woods in Portland, OR
Wednesday September 29 @ Sunset Tavern in Seattle, WA
Friday October 1 @ The Woodshed in Salt Lake City, UT
Saturday October 2 @ Old Main Theater in Boulder, CO
Sunday October 3 @ Hi-Dive in Denver, CO
Friday October 22 @ Littlefield (PTV CMJ Showcase) in Brooklyn, NY
Saturday October 23 @ Kung Fu Neck Tie in Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday October 26 @ The Bottletree in Birmingham, AL
Thursday October 28 @ The Thirsty Hippo in Hattiesburg, MS
Friday October 29 @ The Saturn Bar in New Orleans, LA