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 tracks, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s song featured on The Morning Show with John Richards is “Drop the Act” by Ganglians from the 2011 album Still Living on Lefse Records.
The Sacramento band plays music as easygoing as everything else in their existence. Ryan Grubbs, Kyle Hoover, Alex Sowles, and Adrian Comenzind joined forces dating back to a solo show by Grubbs with a much needed backing band - things worked out great and they stuck together based on the haphazard, yet serendipitous circumstances.
Still Living, released August 23rd, was a long time coming since the 2009 debut of the experimental Monster Head Room. “Drop the Act” is the perfect track to rock out to while hanging desperately on to the remaining glimpses of summertime. Crisp layers of instrumentation play nicely with the vocals and the surf notes are strong with a modern twist. Ganglians kick lo-fi to the curb without sacrificing skill in an ornate yet carefree arrangement and nod to the nostalgic sound of Byrds or Beach Boys without sacrificing their personal touch. Lead singer, Ryan Grubbs opens with the proclamation that this is “a sad, sad song/ for all you sad sad people” misleading them a little, but addressing them with a challenge to be happy about something with this extraordinarily infectious track.
Unfortunately, Ganglians already played Seattle on their recent tour, hitting the Vera Project on August 13. However, you can watch an intimate performance they did recently for Terroreyes.tv:
