The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Serenade Diners
photo by Selena Salfen
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 Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole, is I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way For A Boy
by The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir from the self-titled 2007 album on Bloodshot Records.
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, neither Scottish nor religious, formed in Chicago in 2001 as a duo of Matt Kerstein and Welshman Elia Einhorn. Kerstein has since left the group to start Brighton, MA, but Einhorn is far from being alone. The new record features more than 15 supporting musicians, primarily underground Chicago scenesters, who help give life to Einhorn’s folk and chamber pop excursions. Belle & Sebastian comparisons have followed the collective since day one and they won’t stop here, as Kerstein was the primary engine for the band’s early punk numbers. Einhorn, meanwhile, is more interested in tales of sexual identity and addiction. The track featured here provides an obvious gender bender, infused with the dry humor of B&S, and reminiscent of the Smiths. Don’t let the comparisons fool you though; this mega-group has been hard at work in putting together brilliant pop songs with layer upon layer of inspired complexity. The ever-revolving collective will perform at the High Dive 12/7 and a live in-studio that same day at 3 pm. For other upcoming West Coast dates, see the band’s MySpace page. For some quality free entertainment, see this less than ideal audio clip of the band performing Then and Not a Moment Before
:
