Video for Tickley Feather’s scratchy bedroom track “Fancy Walking” features Philly favorite Annie Sachs tapping her toes around the occasional appearance of a tabby cat. Tickley Feather plays the POPPED! Music Festival in Philadelphia on June 22nd with Daniel Johnston and FRICTION at NYC’s Cake Shop on June 29th with Crystal Stilts, Rings, and PWRFL Power.
[MP3]: Tickley Feather ”Fancy Walking”
Tickley Feather, Paw Tracks; 2008
Like the seven blonde adventuresome heroines from which they borrow their moniker, Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls have moxie. The all female, Henry Darger-inspired trio packs abrasive power and infectious harmonies that recall groups like The Raincoats and B-52’s. The lo-fi single, “Tell the World (Woodsist Records),” unites reverby vocal harmonies with buzzing garage riffs and a hurry-up rhythm. Floating above the trudging punk beat and thick bassline, the infectious group-sung vocal harmonies provide welcoming warmth in an otherwise dissonant atmosphere. Vivian Girls manage to straddle the line between catchy and abrasive and do it without compromising either side, making their debut self-titled LP (early May on Mauled by Tigers) one worth anticipating.
Vivian Girls kick off an extensive US spring tour starting May 12th. Until then, the trio has five local shows scheduled in New York, including one this Wednesday, April 30th, at Lit Lounge. The group’s self-recorded 7” “Tell the World” single will also be available in May via Woodsist Records in limited edition (500 copies only) black vinyl. Full tour dates, songs, and more at MySpace.
[MP3]: Vivian Girls ”Tell the World”
Vivian Girls, Mauled by Tigers; May 2008
As I write this I’m on a sorta “non-stop” flight from Philly to Los Angeles (now a few days ago). A kid is digging his foot into my back and my arms are scrunched up in my seat as I try to type because the dude in front of me decided to recline his seat all the way. There’s also a cute little “lap child” (as the stewardess politely referred to her as) that I’ve been amusing with pictures of my dog until she lost interest and started eating animal crackers and playing with dominos. I’m not usually into kids (example, the little fucker behind me), but the curly haired blondie, drool, apple juice and all, is super cute.
My little airplane experience sorta serves as a segue to Annie Sachs, aka Tickley Feather’s debut full-length due out on April 29th via Paw Tracks. We mentioned before on this site that the Philadelphia favorite had signed to the label (at that time unofficially) and was in the process of prepping her album and supporting fellow labelmates Animal Collective on a national tour. (note: I should mention that the cutie next to me is completely enamored with pics of my family’s pets and has a huge grin spread across my face and now has dumped out most her dominos on my tray and slobbered all over my sweater). Anyway, on Tickley Feather’s forthcoming album, her four-year-old son (Aiden) is featured as a special guest. While adapting as a single mother, Sachs has used the last 5-years of her life writing and recording her own music, mostly at home on budget electronics.
The result of Sachs’ work is a 20-track album that captures her unique personal sound that manages to be playful and child-like to downright mysterious and unexpected (like son Aiden’s eerie murmured lines). Who knew kids could be so damn festive? Check out the murky lo-fi “Tonight Is The Nite” below. Tickley Feather drops on April 29th – full track list after the jump.
[MP3]: Tickley Feather ”Tonight Is The Nite”
Tickley Feather, Paw Tracks; 2008
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