The Outsiders: Vol. 23
Not all of Stereogum's favorite sounds conform to what folks expect us to cover. In this space, resident Bananafish fetishist Brandon Stosuy focuses on bands, albums, singles, and villages in Sweden that may otherwise pass by unnoticed. This installment's virtual milk crate contains Wavves.
In the past couple of Outsiders I've focused on underground legendary figures/bands Harry Pussy and No Neck Blues Band alongside newer blood. This week I'm giving the entire spotlight to Wavves, the one-man project of 22-year-old San Diego-based Nathan Williams partly because he makes fuzzy, loopy 4-track bedroom skate-punk/noise-pop, but also because he seems like he's ready to explode from the starter gate with two upcoming records and a groundswell of buzz (and his own knack for melody, the current fascination with DIY culture, etc). Wavves could easily be discounted as No Age Jr., but when you spend time with his songs, they develop a very different, more insular feeling. It's music that might have stayed "outside" even a couple of years ago, but at this point, you can already tell it's on a "new big thing" verge. That's why I have him here: It's interesting how collective ears have toughened up (a bit).
He has two albums coming out, a self-titled release by Woodsist (out now) and Wavvves via De Stijl (due 2/3). Wavves is a bit noisier, but also somehow more composed (as a whole). He's fond of the sun, beaches (waves), youthful angst (a la Wavves excellent "No Hope Kids" and "So Bored") and songs with "goth" in the title (see "California Goth," "Summer Goth," "Goth Girls," "Surf Goth"). He mixes tripped excursions between his brief pop blasts Reading Williams's list of influences before you listen is actually helpful. Kind of like reading the label of wine and then sensing the different accents you might have missed.
BEACH BOYS, SONIC YOUTH, WIPERS, NIRVANA, MARY WELLS, TEENAGE JESUS AND THE JERKS, BAD BRAINS, THE SHANGRI-LIS, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, METAL URBAIN, DINOSAUR JR, BEATLES, THE MARVELETTES, HUSKER DU, BLACK FLAG, DORIS PAYNE, BEAT HAPPENING, CRASS, LESLEY GORE, THE CLASH, RAMONES, PAVEMENT, JESUS & MARY CHAIN
What's more important is what he does with it. "California Goth" comes from the Woodist collection. Its tempo kicks like blown-out Can.
Wavves - "California Goth" (MP3)
"So Bored" and its catchy, snotty teenage ennui comes from Wavvves:
Wavves - "So Bored" (MP3)
Listen to Wavves in tandem with Blank Dogs (who has a new release on Woodsist, too) and Cold Cave.
The self-titled collection is out now via Woodsist. Wavvves (note the extra "v") is out 2/3 via De Stijl. You can get more at his MySpace and his blog, which is worth checking out even if you're not into his music.
Posted at 2:22 PM by brandon in MP3, The Outsiders
Tags: Wavves
I was just listening to a playlist of Wavves and Blank Dogs at work. I think I should check out Cold Cave.
Score = -1
this guy's great. SO BORED. see also: http://current.com/items/89598104/i_met_the_walrus.htm
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it could get the no age jr. tag except that it's good.
Score = -2
There seems to be a major No Age backlash brewing.
Wavves, btw, is killer.
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I've been jammin' "So Bored" for a while, it's a really good song.
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WAVES is also a great song, February 3 2009 can't come soon enough
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for the last couple months, wavves has been my new favorite band. everything nathan has put out so far is incredible. very good choice, brando.
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I wonder what Stereogum would be like if you guys stopped obsessively reading Pitchfork and waiting for them to legitimize bands in order for you to write about them.
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Are you serious?
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This California Goth shit is horrible. I nearly threw up before I could hit "stop."
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Dude, that wine thing was way too much. Control yourself.
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This guy hasnt even got a decent recording and he's already blowing up. God Im tired of music that sounds like someone went to guitar center and bought a four track. PItchfork can kiss my dick.
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