marxy

01.10.05

Once a month I get invited to see a "friend's band" play, but I usually decline the invitation knowing full well that "friend's bands" are never good. If your friend is Nina Persson of the Cardigans or a member of the Pixies, then please disregard the above. You are one of the lucky exceptions to the rule. However, great friends usually don't make great music.

That said, I have recently found myself as one of those lucky exceptions to the rule. While I was living in Tokyo, I befriended W. David Marx (Marxy)- freelance writer, graduate student at Keio University- who was spending a whole lotta time in his bedroom making music. Friend? Bedroom music? Fan of the musical Hair? This didn't sound very promising. He sent over a ton of demos, which I tossed aside until his pestering got so severe that I had no choice but to give in and listen.

I heard sunshine-pop drenched in harpsichords and vocal be-bopping, doo-wop straight from 1956, giddy indie-dance with Japanese lyrics, girl/ boy vocals over bouncy piano chords, and 28 seconds of gorgeous psychedelic a cappella. It was thrilling conceptual pop.

The gazillion sounds, styles, and instruments have finally come together into Kyoshu Nostalgia ("kyoshu" means nostalgia in Japanese)- Marxy's debut album released on Beekeeper Records, a new label out of New York City. I would like to give it my highest recommendation.

Have a listen to "We Won't Be Sold."

Order Kyoshu Nostalgia here.

Check out Marxy's official site.

And enjoy.

Sheila

Posted by Sheila at 03:11 PM