Buried Beds
When I think back on my college days, I think of those years in two distinct eras: 1) Before I discovered the Elephant 6 Collective; 2) After I heard The Olivia Tremor Control, Apples in Stereo, Beulah, Of Montreal and, of course, Neutral Milk Hotel. Before discovering that fuzzy, sometimes psychedelic, often poppy crew of DIY misfits I was merely a shell of a man, playing Rolling Stones, Pavement and Kinks album all day long, convinced that nothing else mattered.
Buried Beds, a still-somewhat-new pop band out of Philadelphia, bring those days to mind. Those glorious, life-changing days when I started to really understand the glory and majesty of grandiose, incredibly detailed pop music. And while the Beds - comprised of Eliza Jones, Brandon Beaver, Tommy Bendel, Hallie Sianni and Dave Hartley - don't sound all that much like any of the E6 bands (BB's vocals are far to pretty for a direct comparison), they definitely have that thing.
That thing that makes music sound not only cool and easy, but absolutely essential to one's lifestyle and happiness. Though they've not quite crashed their way onto the national stage just yet, the BBs are doing just fine as of late, touring the country in advance support of the upcoming LP release of their sophomore record, Tremble The Sails, alongside bands like Dr. Dog, mewithoutYou and Murder By Death. That record, which came out on CD last year (and I've heard and dearly love), will be out on LP nationwide, via Admiral Byrd Records, on March 11.
But, ya know, since we're making introductions here, maybe we should take a step back, dontchathink? Where did this particular breed of pop majesty come from?
"Beaver and I have been friends since high school and started making music in our college years," Jones, the angel-voiced co-founder of the Beds explained. "Our musical influences are pretty diverse. Beaver is a prog and pop master and has a record collection full of deep cuts. His record collection and love of music is much too big for me to get into, but it goes from French folk music to Phil Collins to 80s mystical and on and on.
"I grew up playing classical piano, singing old time music with my family and listening to my dad's psychedelic novelty records. From those influences we created something that is a strange amalgam of what we love most. And yes, we are all definite Jeff Lynne fans, but I wouldn't say that any one sound has informed what we do."
Yes! Jeff Lynne! Exactly! I knew I heard a little ELO in the mix! Like my Second Stage college roomy always said, there's alway room for a little "Mr. Blue Sky." Okay, back on track …
Beav and Jones, the central brain trust duo of the crew, started as a duo in 2004, picking up members here and there until their lineup was established somewhat recently.
For their still-new record the Beds began by recording the drum and bass tracks to two-inch tape at Dr. Dog's infamous self-built studio in Philly, next tracking the rest of the quite-grand-sounding record in Eliza's living room.
"The process of home recording was great for us. We were able to experiment and tinker and explore different ideas. In the end we had something that really excited us," Jones explained. "Sure, there are limitations to home recording, but the ability to hang out in your pajamas and bang on a piano harp with maracas for a few hours is a real bonus!"
The result is a grand sounding pop record that featuring impeccably ornamented pop arrangements and some of the best vocals you'll ever hear on a DIY record. Easily.
Already looking forward, the members of the band - which includes a guitar teacher, a barista, a caterer, a carpenter and a piano teacher - all play in various side projects. Oh, and yes, they're also already looking forward to starting recording their third record when they get home - a record they've been writing while on the road and in between gigs.
"Yes, when we get back from this tour we'll start recording our next record. We've been writing songs based on old fairy tales, paintings and histories both real and imagined," Jones said. "We're looking forward to collaborating with some painters and sculptors to round out the album."
When I asked Jones about the Philadelphia scene she perks up, immediately noting the non-competitive, collaboration-heavy vibe of the Philly scene. She next starts naming all the bands she has worked with. Then all the bands that Tommy has worked with. Then Beaver, then Dave, then … you get it. Rather than go into the exact details, I'll just name a handful of the bands the members of Buried Beds play with on either a full-time or collaborative basis when they're not doing the BB pop majesty thing: The War on Drugs; Dr. Dog; The Silver Ages; Nightlands (who have a record coming out on Indiana label Secretly Canadian); Man Man; mewithoutYou, Hoots and Hellmouth and plenty more.
Dang, Philly. Dang, Buried Beds. Kind of a super group, aren't ya?
For their upcoming February 27 show at CS3's Tiger Room the Buried Beds will be joined by Fort Wayne's own Orange Opera, a band known for their Philly connections and long-loved around the Fort Wayne scene.
"I know [Orange Opera frontman] Kevin Hambrick through my husband, who used to manage The Teeth," Jones said. "Kevin was a big fan of The Teeth and would always set up shows for them when they came through indiana. When Andrew saw we would be coming your way he wrote Kev to see if would set up a show with us."
Those familiar with Hambrick, the Opera and Jeff Lynne will dig the dusty/retro pop connection immediately. And, I'd bet, those people will be at this show. Those not yet familiar with the Beds or the Brick would do right to spill some ink on their calendar. C'mon, get on with it already.
Written by G. William Locke
