Song of the Day: Hippo Campus - South

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 DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “South” by Hippo Campus from the 2015 South EP on Grand Jury Music.

Hippo Campus - South (MP3)

With just two EP’s and a handful of songs under their belt, Hippo Campus is climbing their way to indie-pop stardom. They may be new to the scene, but St. Paul, Minnesota, band definitely aren’t going to be the new kids on the block for long. After forming in 2013, things have moved quickly - with two EP releases in 2015 and a Conan performance to boot- it’s safe to say that 2016 is the year that Hippo Campus takes off.

Their latest single “South” is refreshing and light, perfectly tuned and timed. They make it seem easy, as if grabbing a guitar and making light-as-a-feather melodies is as simple as jumping rope. Dig a little deeper and the happy melodies on “South” are accompanied by darker lyrics. Suddenly, the seemingly simplistic tone of the track takes on a new, more yearnful vibe, a bitter taste. “Three leagues down the soft side of where you left my gold rose crown, you broke down, and left me with a chest hum, a black gun, and forty dollars...”

Hippo Campus are returning to Seattle on their 2016 spring tour, and you can find them at The Crocodile on May 1st. Until then, head over to the band's website and Facebook page to find other dates and more music, and be sure to watch the video for today's featured song: