Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of 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. Each and every Friday, we deliver songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Braces” by Ten Bears from the 2010 single on East City Records.
Nothing says “the future” like the current wave of electro pop, and Ten Bears’ “Braces” screams it. Out on East City Records the futurepop single will be part of the soundtrack to your future summer partying. “Braces” is jaunty, colorful as hell, and -- just a forewarning -- dangerously catchy.
With all the bear-inspired band names around, Ten Bears is one of the meaningful ones --as in Ten Bears, the Comanche chief. However, why they chose a Native American tribe leader is completely arbitrary, or so they say. Now residing in Manchester, the four members, Sam Hammond, Luke Daniel, Dom Kozubik, Kris Hudson, and Timmy Special, have been hard at work at the Antwerp Mansion rehearsal space in the UK channeling The Karate Kid, as they described in a recent Spinner interview prior to rocking SXSW last March: “We work really hard for months learning new skills and getting hurt physically and emotionally then at the end we win the championship by having two or three new songs that we’re really proud of.” For today’s Song of the Day, and their first single, “Braces,” as well as the rest of the forthcoming album, Ric Leavy (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mystery Jets) lends production skills and is responsible for taking their acoustically rehearsed gems and adding some electronic, futuristic finishing touches.
Ten Bears shows are few and far from the US for now, but check back regularly on their MySpace page and website for updates on touring and blog posts. In the meantime, check out the hypnotizing, a little creepy, and visually stunning video of “Braces” with all five Ten Bears covered in feathers and paint:
One Comment
These Bears are incredible!! Thank you thank you for introducing them to us- wow, I look forward to more from them!!