Song of the Day: Pretty Good Dance Moves – P.G.D.M.

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is P.G.D.M. by Pretty Good Dance Moves from the 2008 self-released P.G.D.M. EP.

At first listen, it’s hard to believe that underneath all the playful melodies are lyrics dominated by dejectedness and isolation. But it’s just one thread in the fabric. PGDM pile up musical oddities on this, their debut, utilizing a vibraphone and violin along with other conventional instrumentation before tacking on drum machines and analog synths. It’s no wonder the band is MySpace friends with Seattle’s Throw Me The Statue. One of the strongest weapons in the PGDM arsenal is vocalist Genevieve Schatz, who also provides pipes for Chicago band Company of Thieves. She provides half of the often-employed boy/girl vocals, assisting in the simultaneously painful and enjoyable dissection of a failed relationship. Keeping all of this together in the studio was producer Edgars Legzdins (of the band Plane) and engineer Tim Sandusky. In the coming months, please try to keep yourself together awaiting more tour dates. For now, Chicago fans can look forward to a 6/18 performance with Crystal Castles. In the meantime, enjoy this video for The Color Blue: