Washed Up and Washed Out

FEEL IT ALL AROUND from Northern Lights on Vimeo.

Back when we got flooded out, I spent most of my days indoors switching between listening to the rain and listening to a new favorite EP by Washed Out.

I was first tipped off by Tara Davies while DJing together at the Sorry Darlin’ party. Went home and did some research, only to find that not only was the man behind Washed Out from the small Georgia town of Perry, but is also one of Pitchfork’s new crushes.

To call Washed Out electronic pop is accurate and at the same time incredibly misleading. It is true that the backing tracks are entirely comprised of keyboards, synths, and drum machines… however the style of production and the vocals are more accurately described by the name alone… Washed Out.

If I had to pick a point of reference. Think if M83 and Royksopp had recorded in 1982… and you got a copy that had been recorded off the radio and then copied and passed down a few times.

If the recordings weren’t dreamy enough already, a fan made video surfaced that captured the feeling of the song “Feel It All Around” about as accurately as I would think possible. Shot by Chase Heavener on a Canon 5d MkII, the fixed focus and shallow depth of field produces an dream recall effect of friends on vacation. After talking to him for a bit online and visiting his blog, I determined that, not only is Chase an amazing photographer and filmmaker, but he and his friends go on the coolest vacations ever.

Now, if you’re still reading this and listening to Washed Out, then you’re going to want to make it out to a special event he’s playing tomorrow night. The Kia Soul Collective series (flyer below) starts tomorrow night and features free performances, alcohol, and all other kinds of goodies you’d come to expect from a corporate sponsored event aimed at attracting “young taste makers” to their brand.

Corporate sponsorship really ain’t so bad when it’s behind the right people!

Washed Out – New Theory

Washed Out – Feel It All Around

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