From KCRW DJ Marion Hodges —
Wild Nothing delighted our ears during their West Coast radio debut on Morning Becomes Eclectic today, even wowing us with a cover of Primal Scream’s anthem “Velocity Girl,” as well as songs off their debut EP and LP.
Their performance tonight at the Natural History Museum for First Fridays (presented by KCRW) will be the last of a lengthy tour with Abe Vigoda, and while frontman Jack Tatum did give verbal recognition to the band’s road weariness (including sharing a small van with a large number of people), it didn’t come through at all during the set.
The songs sparkled and shimmered with a confidence and ease that seems to have developed naturally between the band members during the tour — despite the fact that the original bass player quit mid-stream, and was replaced by Abe Vigoda’s highly adaptable drummer!
Personal bias aside (Wild Nothing’s full length “Gemini” was my favorite record of 2010), I feel like anyone tuning in who did not already know this band could easily fall in love on their own terms, especially fans of The Smiths’ jangly melodic pop.
The songs are dreamy, romantic, and nostalgic, and perfect for a mid-winter’s morning.
If you did happen to be tuning in as an indiepop nerd this morning, then you were probably delighted to hear a sincere young singer referencing The Wake, Cocteau Twins, and Go Betweens – all of which released most of their best material before Tatum was even born.
Since the tour is ending tonight, Tatum informed me that he will likely begin working on the next full length when he arrives home to Savannah, Georgia.
In the meantime, you can look forward to a very special Record Store Day treat. Captured Tracks will release a split 7″ with Wild Nothing and label mates Beach Fossils, each covering a song by Scottish post punk/indiepop icons – the aforementioned The Wake.
Check out the full performance in KCRW’s archives here.
— Marion Hodges
Wild Nothing Live on KCRW – Set List
Golden Haze
Confirmation
The Witching Hour
Our Composition Book
>interview
Your Rabbit Feet
Live in Dreams
Velocity Girl
Summer Holiday