Various Artists - Underwaterpeoples Records Showcase Review

To many music fans, pleasantness is low on the list of reasons to like or dislike a band or artist-- no match for originality or adventurousness. But even if "nice sounds" is something of a dirty phrase in the indie lexicon, there is, of course, a place for pleasant music when it's done right. Enter Underwater Peoples, a Washington, D.C.-based boutique imprint that joins similarly minded labels Acephale (Memory Cassette, Air France) and Sincerely Yours (the Tough Alliance, um, Air France)-- plus marquee artists Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend-- by offering quality indie music that also happens to sound really good. Home to blog-friendly bands Real Estate and Ducktails, the label has seen an uptick in interest over the past few months for its development of a lo-fi, beachy aesthetic via the signing of a dozen or so groups scattered across the country all trafficking in and around this general style. This nicely varied and well-sequenced compilation-- originally offered as a free download through sites friendly with Underwater Peoples-- rounds up tracks by most of those artists for a collection that might as well be called Endless Summer.

This is music that seems to have been developed specifically for flip-flopped backyard barbecues, sun-baked roadtrips, and beachfront campfires (song titles "Banana Jam Pt. 1", "Backyard", and "Beach Comber" tell you as much right off the bat). Just take a look at that album cover-- the hazy, soft-focus lighting, a rubber ducky, some guy straight relaxing in a suburban Playboy-style grotto. That dude is chilling. And that's kind of the point here: establishing a seasonal mood, a supine vibe that exists throughout the entire record. Perhaps more importantly, the compilation also helps to define Underwater Peoples' signature style, a sort of a crusty amalgam of the current strain of CSNY-leaning underground Americana, classic mid-nineties guitar indie, and the more experimental tropical collage-pop of Panda Bear and El Guincho, to a lesser degree....full text Underwater Peoples are proud to present, A Summertime Showcase! Beautifully nuanced yet utterly carefree, this diverse group of songs is sure to brighten and relax your otherwise bothered soul....full text Ducktails/ Julian Lynch 7" RELEASE DATE & INFO/ UPCOMING RELEASES
Current mood: overstimulated
Category: Music
Today is a beautiful day:

Underwater Peoples is proud to present a split 7" featuring Ducktails and Julian Lynch!

Tracklist:

A. Ducktails - Parasailing
B1. Julian Lynch - Topi
B2. Julian Lynch - Garden 2

Every 7" will include a DVD of music videos created and directed by Richard Law.

The 7" will be officially released on MONDAY JULY 13th (preorders will ship the preceding Friday), and will be available at the underwaterpeoples online shop for $7.00, as well as various distributors and stores.

FUTURE RELEASES:

Frat Dad 7"
Pill Wonder 7"
Andrew Cedermark/ Family Portrait 7"
Alex Bleeker & The Freaks 12"
Beach Fossils 7"

Thanks and hope you all enjoy! Currently listening:
Low
By David Bowie
Release date: 1999-09-28...full text