Photo gallery + review of Cold War Kids @ Apogee Studios as part of the KCRW's Berkeley Street Sessions (March 6, 2013).
Cold War Kids shook up KCRW’s Berkeley Street Studio in Santa Monica with an intimate, private performance and sneak peek of their upcoming record “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts.”
Sure, the Long Beach indie-rock quartet has been around since 2004 and their unforgettable track, “Hang Me Up To Dry” certainly graced many a mix cd-- but if this studio session was any indicator of what’s to come, prepare for a jolt and breath of fresh air. They opened up with the title track of the new album before hitting the crowd with their latest single, “Miracle Mile.” Nathan Willett’s signature bluesy vocals propelled this catchy piano laden track while Matt Aveiro’s drums brought the rumble to the studio. There’s something triumphantly cathartic about this song. The chorus bursts with lines like, “Come up for air! Come up!” as if a wild, living thing actually kicked within the track. Though “Miracle Mile” was the last song Cold War Kids recorded for “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts,” Willett explained that it was the thread that connected their former sound with their future self.
They played a slower track, “Tuxedos,” before Willett and bassist, Matt Maust sat down for a break and interview session with KCRW host, Jason Bentley. They recorded the new album in their San Pedro studio with producers, Dann Gallucci (formerly of Modest Mouse and Murder City Devils) and Lars Stalfors (credits include Matt & Kim, Funeral Party). Willett confided that he often felt uncomfortable listening to himself sing on records but this was the first album he felt differently about. Inspired by Nathanael West’s novel, Miss Lonelyhearts, Willett joked that finding the meaning behind the album name makes you “do your homework.” Also during the interview, Maust mentioned that since he ran their Twitter account, he spread the word for fans to be in their “Miracle Mile” music video which shot the day after the session.
After the interview, they played a few familiar songs like “Relief” and “Audience” before ending the night with “Rubidoux.” Their new guitarist and co-producer, Dann Gallucci, stationed himself coolly to the left of the stage as Maust drifted around and jammed with each member. Touring member, Matthew Schwartz (Chasing Kings) backed up vocal harmonies and rotated between keyboards.
“Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” will be released on April 2nd, 2013 through Downtown Records and the filmed KCRW studio session will air on Morning Becomes Eclectic on March 22nd, 2013.
-Setlist-
Dear Miss Lonelyhearts
Miracle Mile
Jailbirds
Fear & Trembling
Tuxedos
Loner Phase
Minimum Day
Relief
Aeon
Audience
Rubidoux