Dig ‘in: Wet Leg, Far Caspian, jeanines
Check out what the No Wristbands team is listening to and what’s in our show calendars this month on our latest Dig ‘in.
INCOMING
Wet Leg - moisturizer (Domino LP)
When Wet Leg emerged four years ago with “Chaise Longue,” it took the listening public by surprise. The tandem of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers created a tantalizing level of mystique that was further enhanced by their residency on Britain’s Isle of Wight. Their self-titled debut album that came out the next year fulfilled the band’s initial promise. Moisturizer, while not as immediately striking as Wet Leg’s early forays, shows that they’re more than up to the task of maintaining their relevancy.
Teasdale plays a more pronounced role this time around, and her newfound queer love relationship with her non-binary partner drives much of the album’s focus. Not one inclined to write love songs, her new pairing took her by surprise and liberated her to share the wonderment. “Is it love or suicide?” she questions on the opener, “CPR,” before definitively declaring “I- I- I- I- I- I’m in love!” “Pillow talk” is a come-hither invitation loaded with double entendres, while “don’t speak” explores Teasdale’s more tender side and is framed by a memorable shoegaze riff. Dressing down presumptuous lotharios remains on the table for Wet Leg, notably on the combative “catch these fists” and the kiss-off of “mangetout.” Moisturizer concludes with “u and me at home,” a singalong celebration of domestic bliss that recognizes that the future won’t be all smooth sailing. Risk taking is part of Wet Leg’s DNA, after all, so their journey is far from being mapped out. -Bruce Novak
Far Caspian - Autofiction (Tiny Library Records LP)
Beset by health issues, both physical and mental, Far Caspian’s Joel Johnston nearly abandoned the work on his third album, Autofiction. Johnston tours with a full band, but records everything by himself—a solitary pursuit that sometimes leaves him second-guessing himself. Abandoning indecisiveness resulted in Johnstone becoming more transparent and direct. “Spoke to the fear / Leaving it, leaving it to tear down / I could get used to this again,” he confesses on “Here Is Now.” “Ditch” builds in intensity, starting in reverse with backwards guitar before surging ahead with a frenetic energy. “First Day” portends new beginnings filled with a hopeful, but yet unrealized optimism. In contrast, the final track “End” attempts to put to rest the negative thoughts that Johnston was encountering, closing with a maelstrom of sound that serves to blow up the vexing issues that had previously dogged him, but are now thankfully in retreat. -Bruce Novak
Jeanines - How Long Can It Last (Slumberland Records LP)
Jeanines have never penned a song longer than 2:34. All but two of the thirteen tracks on their third full-length disc, How Long Can It Last, fall south of two minutes. Songwriters Alicia Hyman (aka Alicia Jeanine) and Jed Smith are masters of brevity; forgoing the fluff for leanness and linearity. Their minor key missives convey a range of emotions that are acutely felt, but never linger too long. The resignation of “To Fail” is balanced by the optimism of “You’ll Figure It Out.”
“Feeling my way / Through liminal space / Though it’s not the time or place” sings Hyman on the striking “Coaxed A Storm.” Feelings of disconnection lend an uneasiness to what otherwise appears to be a situation of domestic tranquility captured in the song. Perhaps the best that Jeanines can offer as a solution to trying times is to just push forward as they suggest with “On And On.” How Long Can It Last grasps with an uncertain future while offering that it’ll all come to an end eventually if we just remain firm and steady towards its demise. -Bruce Novak
UPCOMING
Motorbike
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: August 9, 9:00 PM
Motorbike’s bio history traces their origin to an incident where future bassist Jerri Westerkamp fell off his moped. That aligns with the Cincy group’s no frills/all thrills approach to music making. Existing in the space between a bicycle and motorcycle, mopeds are uber fuel efficient, gaining peak popularity in the States during the ’70s energy crisis, and licensed to share public roadways despite usually maxing out around 30 mph. Today’s moped subculture attracts younger thrill seekers who share a lot of similarities with the dynamics of indie bands going out on tour.There’s plenty of punk spunk to be found in Motorbike’s music. Former Wales resident Jamie Morrison is the leader of the pack as the band’s vocal focal point. He maintains an acute awareness of when go full throttle and when to ease back to cruising speed. The band’s second album, Kick It Over, released through Feel It Records this past March, resonates with unbridle energy. Motorbike have chosen their lane wisely for a journey that’s familiar but never boring. -Bruce Novak
Broncho
Where: Thalia Hall / Directions
When: August 9, 8:00 PM
After delivering their first four albums over the course of six years, it would be an equal length of time again before Tulsa’s Broncho produced their next record, Natural Pleasure, this spring. The interim has led the band down a new path; less quirky and twitchy than before, leaning in to opulent textures and blissed-out passages. The gentle tones coalesce pleasingly with Ryan Lindsey’s pliable voice. Natural Pleasure finds Broncho in no particular hurry to reach a destination; they’re traveling at their own speed while holding forth an offer to take you on a memorable trip. -Bruce Novak
Bonny Doon
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: August 16, 9:00 PM
Bonny Doon kicks off their latest tour at The Empty Bottle on August 16th. The Detroit indie rockers have had a whirlwind decade so far with band members spreading out across the country, touring with a who’s who of indie rockers, and getting the opportunity to collaborate with Waxahatchee on her revered alt-country turn on 2020’s Saint Cloud. They spent the next couple of years playing with her and recorded 2023's laid-back Let There Be Music. They’d be the first to admit it, but they learned a great deal from Katie Crutchfield, and the album reflected a band coming into its own. This tour hopefully means new music is on the way. Either way, the opportunity to see these three lifelong friends play together and let their songs breathe is well worth a trip to The Bottle. The harmonies alone will be sure to capture the audience’s attention. -Mark Joyner
UNCOVERED
Hooton Tennis Club - Highest Point in Cliff Town (Heavenly Recordings LP)
Last year Hooton Tennis Club reemerged with a smattering of shows in England and issued a comeback single, “Born, Died,” on Alcopop! Records in November with a projected album to follow. It was the band’s first slate of activity since their appearance at the Liverpool International Music Festival in 2017. Their 2015 debut album, Highest Point in Cliff Town, still sounds fresh and celebratory—a summertime splash of good times and good humor.
Their penchant for flippant song titles and loose vibes drew comparisons to Pavement and Guided By Voices, but the group resisted being typecast as a slacker outfit and the perception that they didn’t take performing seriously. Songs like “…And Then Camilla Drew Fourteen Dots on Her Knee” and “Kathleen Sat on the Arm of Her Favourite Chair” point to an insouciant approach, but the actual songwriting is substantial—far from a tossed-off attempt. Guitarists Ryan Murphy and James Madden sound engaged in battle against a hornet nest in the buzzing “Standing Knees,” and the sublime lead single “Jasper” is a touching remembrance of Murphy’s grandfather. While the wait is on for their new album, revisiting Highest Point in Cliff Town or the 2016 Edwyn Collins produced follow-up, Big Box of Chocolates, certainly merits a spot in your current listening cycle. -Bruce Novak
We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: