It would be easy to pigeonhole 2:54 as being the xx’s moody, overdramatic cousins. Both bands are from London, rely heavily on yearning vocal melodies, and have a keen sense of atmosphere that elevates their songwriting. However, where the xx cut their teeth on early ’90s R&B jams where the protagonist eventually finds love after yearning, 2:54 spiraled deeper into their Cure and My Bloody Valentine records only to find the beautiful sounds of loneliness put through a reverb-drenched amp. The band’s control over their atmosphere recalls both of those bands, but adds the unique twist of the Thurlow sisters’ serpentine harmonies to create a sound that carries a cutting emotional weight that so many bands try (and fail) to acheive. The group will be stopping by KEXP to do a live session tomorrow, Thursday, June 21st at 3 p.m. and then playing The Crocodile that night. Joining them are Widowspeak and Piano Piano, the former of whom played for KEXP at CMJ last year. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $12 (plus fees). Check out the video for 2:54′s “Scarlet” and a video of Widowspeak performing “Gun Shy” for KEXP below.
