Nicola Pea
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 “So So Happy Making” by Hatcham Social from the 2009 album You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil on TBD Records.
The impact of a debut album is very dependent on the first single; the ability to catch and hold the interest of an ever-fickle group of casual music consumers just as keen on keeping their hybrid MP3 phones stocked with equal amounts of what’s hip, what’s popular, and a few guilty pleasures. It would seem “So So Happy Making,” from UK pop rockers Hatcham Social is the embodiment of such a whimsical sentiment. The track, from the group’s debut album You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil, is a smooth blend of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s nuggets of fun, Arctic Monkeys’ ability to turn rock into bite-sized morsels of jagged edges and disconcerting sounds, and The Boy Least Likely To’s penchant for tapping into the beauty of pushing background fodder into forefront genius. “So So Happy Making” isn’t the greatest tune ever written — nor was that the goal of Hatcham Social — but damn it if you won’t find yourself being made happy and carefree with each passing listen. Then, the ultimate goal of having you buy their entire album for its placement on your miniature musical device will be complete, as the boys sing to you (and only you) through the magic of ear buds.
As with any band with a debut album to support, Hatcham Social has loaded their MySpace profile with a laundry list of tour dates spanning Europe and North America. Fans in the Emerald City, however, will not find their hometown on the list as of yet — here’s hoping that changes in the near future. In the meantime, pass the time with the band’s video for “Crocodile,” also from You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil.
