Music Amused

New to You

03:32, 2008-Jul-24 .. 0 comments .. Link

I forget where I was sitting when I saw something about Tilly and the Wall. Maybe it was the description of their sound that got me wondering. Something containing the phrases "boys and girls singing in unison", "indie pop", and "tap dancing instead of drums". Yes, that there is enough to intrigue anyone!

In 2001, the five member band, Tilly and the Wall formed after some of the member's previous musical endeavors fell through. After three years, their debut album Wild Like Children was released. It did well enough to propel the band into touring with Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes, and Of Montreal.

In 2006, Bottoms of Barrels came out. Two members of the band wed each other, Jamie Williams (the tap dancer) and Derek Pressnall (vocals and guitar). A few months later in October, they performed on Late Show with David Letterman. Last year, they also played at Coachella. Definitely not too bad for a band that seems so obscure.

Their third album, "O", came out last month. It's an 11 track, 32 minute disc with more voices and instruments than ever. I recommend listening to "Pot Kettle Black", their most recognized new song off the record.

OH, and how awesome is this tidbit from Amazon? "The band invited everyone in their community to contribute to the cover art for this record, and every month it will have limited edition runs of handmade prints by different artists; or you could even create your own."

This Sunday they'll be performing in Philadelphia, at First Unitarian Church. The 30th, they're at the famed Bowery Ballroom in New York. AND Sunday, August 3rd, they are here in Pittsburgh! (Must mark that in the calendar!)

In September, they'll be touring over on the west coast with Brazil's CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy, which is Portuguese for "Tired of Being So Sexy"). They're the ones that happily sing, "Music is my boyfriend...". You can bet you'll probably be tired, too, after going to see one of those upbeat, dance-til-you-drop shows.

For more tour dates and locations, check their website.