Song of the Day: Earlimart – Song For

photo by Hilary Harris

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 Song For by Earlimart from the 2008 album Hymn and Her on Majordomo.

Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray, both multi-instrumentalists and the core LA band Earlimart, have never shaken comparisons to their old friend Elliott Smith. Chances are Hymn and Her won’t make those comparisons a thing of the past, but the band’s 6th record is their boldest move in a new direction in years, perhaps ever. Normally featuring a cadre of musicians, Earlimart records have been grand affairs, but their latest is truly just him and her (Aaron & Ariana). The record boasts more from Ariana than ever before in terms of songwriting and singing, and with less than a year having passed since 2007s Mentor Tormentor, it’s the quickest turnaround for an Earlimart record in the band’s history. After last year’s album, they could have spewed out 30 minutes of crap and likely had it gobbled up, but the slower serenity of Hymn and Her shows a band willing to take risks and exercise well-deserved creative capitol over pandering to any long-held perceptions. Check them out on tour now through the 2nd week of August and stick around for this video for Song For, performed at LA’s Echoplex: