Song of the Day: Wishbeard - Strawberry '79

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 songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, comes from Seattle dream pop band Wishbeard. "Strawberry '79" is the lead single from their debut EP, It's All Gonna Break.

Wishbeard - Strawberry '79 (MP3)

Ever since Wishbeard popped up on the Seattle scene last year, they've been dealing smiles all around with their equally progressive and accessible pop tunes. These four women easily cover the vast musical ground between the likes of Beach House and Dum Dum Girls all the way across to Sleater-Kinney. The resulting mixture is divine - Wishbeard build songs like a post punk band but flesh them out with atmospheric euphoria. Their sound is a great new contribution to the modern Seattle scene. They introduced themselves in March of this year with the "I.H.Y.P"/"Runnin' Around" single, and now It's All Gonna Break gives us four more reasons to love this wonderful quartet.

"Strawberry '79" opens the new EP and gives a wonderful introduction to the band for newcomers. Starting with Brighton's classic post punk bass line and building into with Res's driving, synthesized keyboard line, Wishbeard don't waste time us interested. Jude's static drums keep energy moving only ever forward. "If you want to keep me, take a key and lock me up", Bryn whispers again and again over the rising track. As the track builds from a light shower to a raging storm, the anxiety in her delicate voice rises ever slightly, creating a continuous rage of energy between the four of them. For as reserved as they seem at a glance, over the course of "Strawberry '79"'s three minutes, you'll be cranking the volume constantly. And when it disappears without warning, you will only want to hit repeat.

Wishbeard's next scheduled show is on November 23, at the Comet Tavern (assuming it's still open), and they'll be performing with tomorrow's featured band, Lazer Kitty, and Half Kingdom. To preview the show, they'll be live on KEXP on November 16th at 8:30PM. Look for more information at the band's website and Facebook page. For now, enjoy "Circles", another song from It's All Gonna Break: