Local Band Review: The Spirit of the Beehive

Up until recently you may have heard the swelling soundscape of The Spirit of the Beehive under the Girard El stop. Having just completed a national tour, this Fishtown-based band creates a mixture of lush layered noise, 80s guitar sounds and deep, heavy riffs. At times, the band sounds like a weird hypothetical where Rob Crow met Sebadoh and decided to paddle upstream in the Delaware River. They create a cinematic aural world that serves as a fine example of the exciting development of the Riverwards area. Paranoia mixed with glee — you might return to that feeling of being lost on back roads yet reluctant to turn around.

The Spirit of the Beehive’s unique adolescent appreciation shines through in comedic spiteful narratives at the ending of the opening track, “SFK”, a song off of their latest record “YOU ARE ARRIVED (but you’ve been cheated)”, touching on the impact of today’s youth across the classes. In the ending of the album’s second track, “World Access”, spanish influences cut through, perhaps tipping a hand to the group’s roots and the movie bearing the same name as the band. You can almost hear the girls lost in the woods looking for the monster that lives in their imagination.

Title track “You Are Arrived” arrives along with a music video (now available to stream on Vimeo) that leaves you breathless. The Spirit of the Beehive’s video combines footage from the french series “La Petite Mort” by Sofi Angers and Daniel Csobot’s, “Macro Timelapse”. It’s sensual nature, when accompanied by lo-fi imagery and fuzzy dreams, reaches toward and eventually arrives in full bloom, while the bands dazed vocals keeps you humming along.

You can preorder the local Fishtown act’s album on vinyl through Ice Age and Ranch Records. Jade Tree will be releasing their follow up full length next year. They’ll be sticking around Philly for a while and you can catch them with Mannequin Pussy Dec 5th at Hong Kong Garden.

Local Show Spotlight

Saturday December 12th

Work Drugs

Kate Faust

Kississippi

 

In this week’s local show spotlight, Johnny Brenda’s and WXPN presents Philly’s dream pop duo Work Drugs at Johnny Brenda’s 5th annual Holiday Spectacle on Saturday, December 12th. Since releasing their debut “Summer Blood” back in 2011, Work Drugs has released a staggering eight studio album with additional EPs and even fun remixes like Bon Iver’s “Beth/Rest”. Adding to their prolific discography, Work Drugs is currently touring in support of their most recent record, “Louisa”. Founding members Thomas Crystal and Benjamin Louisiana will be stealing the night away with luscious harmonies, catchy synths and classic drums. In their own words, Work Drugs “makes music specifically for boating, sexting, dancing, yachting and living.” Work Drugs came up with their name while sailing the Baja of Mexico in which Tom and Ben reportedly bonded during sailing school over musical taste and began writing their first record.

Joining the holiday spectacle are local acts Kate Faust and Kississippi. Kate Faust’s electro-pop music consists of sweeping landscapes and gorgeous vocals, while Kississippi’s stripped down sound takes you back to the days of classic folk and Daniel Johnston.

Up-and-coming artist Kate Faust has had a very productive year. From releasing her “Eros” EP, playing The Kimmel Center, jammin’ outside City Hall, doing Red Bull Sound Select Show and performing WXPN’s The Random Tea Sessions, she will undoubtedly be a source of pride for years to come for the Philly music scene.

Kississippi was recently named Stereogum’s “band to watch.” On December 12th they’ll be promoting their release “We Have No Future, We Are All Doomed” out November 20th on Soft Speak Records. Vocalist Zoë Allaire Reynolds now teamed up with Colin James Kupson and friends Alex and Alex will be opening the show.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10. Doors open at 8PM, show starts at 9PM. Show is 21+.

Want your band or a local band you love to be spotlighted on Music Row? Shoot us an email at news@spiritnews.org with the subject line “Music Row.”