Cold War Kids warm up on new album
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Festival faves … American indie rockers Cold War Kids head back to Australia to play Falls. Picture: Supplied.
Source: Supplied
EVERY indie band will face the inevitable dilemma — integrity or payday?
Californian rockers Cold War Kids have straddled that schism since breaking through with the alternative anthem Hang Me Up To Dry from their 2006 debut record Robbers and Cowards.
Propelled by frontman Nathan Willett’s distinctive vocals, angular guitars, minimalist, slightly off-kilter rhythms, the band achieved cult status quickly.
In town … American rockers Cold War Kids touring Australia for Falls festival. Picture: Supplied.
Source: Supplied
They maintained their chart fortunes over their next three records, Loyalty To Loyalty, Mine Is Yours and Dear Miss Lonelyhearts.
But new release Hold My Home heralds both a return to form and an ambitious stab at finding a bigger audience.
MUSIC EVOLUTION: Cold War Kids are all grown up
Critics hate that. The band don’t care, making no apologies for the more polished production or the pop sensibilities of the songwriting.
Willett said the addition of former Modest Mouse guitarist Dann Gallucci as a player and producer has made the difference.
Tricky transition … Cold War Kids aren’t making any apologies for their more polished production or pop sensibilities. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied
But the transition has not been without “growing pains”.
“He said that he really wanted me to trust him as a producer with the songs I was bringing and that was the first time I have had that conversation with anyone,” he says.
“A lot of time in the past we have tried to experiment with producers but Dann has such an interesting relationship with the band.
“He was in Modest Mouse, quit and went to recording school and did live sound for us for years before he joined, so his perspective is unique. he comes from outside and inside.”
Any newcomer trying to steer a band in new directions will inevitably face resistance.
Popular act … Cold War Kids on stage at the 2010 Falls festival.
Source: News Limited
Willett admits the band can be “really insular” having come up in the tight-knit Long Beach scene, serving their apprenticeship playing at friends’ parties.
Gallucci hailed from America’s northwest which has historically been a crowded band scene where musicians would switch from one group to the next when things didn’t work out.
The Cold War Kids line-up has gone through its shifts with original guitarist Johnnie Russell departing in 2012 and drummer Matt Aveiro leaving last year.
Side shows … Cold War Kids will play headlining gigs in Melbourne and Sydney. Picture: supplied.
Source: Supplied
The album’s second song First sounds like a songwriter facing the disappointment a band suffers when they almost make it.
“I read something about Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme saying something like he gave up trying to be U2 a long time ago,” Willett says.
“The idea of trying to keep original members and keep it intimate and go through life’s up and downs together, we tried that.
“If you don’t make any changes, you find yourself at a stalemate and it’s going to end.”
One of the major reasons the band has always enjoyed a strong following in Australia has been the strength of their live performance.
Big fans … Cold War Kids fell in love with Australia during their first visit here and are such big fans they “should just buy a house here”, Willett said. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied
Willett is an unconventionally charismatic frontman but as a unit, Cold War Kids have that energy that pulses off the stage to affect an audience.
“It’s weird the way we carry ourselves on stage. It’s like brushing off your shoulders the insecurities you have about what you are not good at,’ he says.
“And then you realise that over the years, you get good at it.”
Cold War Kids have been Falls Festival favourites and Willett said it has been equally good to them.
“I remember the first time we came there, we had been touring the US for a few years and had well and truly burnt that audience. We come to Australia and it’s shock and awe. We should just buy a house there we love it so much.”
Cold War Kids perform at the Falls Festival, Lorne, Victoria, from December 28, Marion Bay, Tasmania, December 29 and Byron Boy, December 30. They play their own sideshows at Hi Fi. Melbourne, January 5 and Hi Fi, Sydney on January 6.
If you missed out on tickets to the Falls Festivals, there are a plethora of side shows to check out. Here’s our pick of the best.
Buzz act … George Ezra will head back to Australia for more shows in January. Picture: Cameron Richardson.
Source: News Corp Australia
George Ezra
The Budapest chart star graduates from flipping burgers at Splendour In The Grass a couple of years ago will play his own show at The Metro on January 8, from $ 49.90, metrotheatre.com.au
Milky Chance
The German duo stormed the world’s charts and caused a seismic shift in the prevailing electro pop sound with their breakthrough single Stolen Dance. The Metro, January 7, $ 49.90.
The Temper Trap
Since releasing their second record, the homegrown heroes have played probably every festival on the planet and are now full steam ahead on album No.3. They step off their Falls’ headlining slots to play this intimate show on January 6, from $ 54.70.
Glass Animals
One of the finest bands to grace the airwaves this year, British buzz band Glass Animals have commanded the blogs and alternative airwaves with their delicious electro pop hits including Gooey and Pools. The Hi-Fi, Sydney, January 9, $ 56.10, thehifi.com.au
