2080, the first single from Brooklyn via Baltimore quartet Yeasayer seems to have the same effect on everyone that hears it: “man, this is like the best thing I’ve heard all year”.

Then after hearing track 2, Sunrise: “ohmygod, I think this is even better”

After catching their (literally) jaw dropping performance at the Black Cat backstage about a month ago, I knew we had to get them on BYT. They’ll be back this Wednesday (Oct. 24th) hitting The Rock and Roll Hotel with (the also stellar) Celebration.

We have a pair of tickets to give away, just leave a comment saying you want them and we’ll pick someone at random.
Man we’re so nice.

Their full length “All Hour Cymbals” will be out tomorrow (Oct. 23rd) on the new Monitor Records subsidiary We*Are*Free . Here are a few exclusive new tracks from the album (and some old ones) along with commentary and interview questions with Chris Keating.

Download the MP3
Sunrise - An ode to titans and heroes and fretless bass solos.

Wait for the Summer - A murderous song inspired by Adriane Lyne’s 1990 psychological thriller Jacob’s Ladder.

Download the MP3
2080 - Our artistic response to The Boys of Summer by Don Henley.

Ah, Weir - An homage to Peter Weir and his compatriots of the Australian New Wave.

Forgiveness - Our artistic response to Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper.

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Brightest Young Things: Is it ok if DC claims you as a local band?

Chris Keating: Not really. I actually haven’t even been to DC that many times. Growing up in Baltimore I used to go to shows down there but I can’t claim to be a local at all. I get lost and confused by the streets. I rep B-more to the death.

BYT: Fair enough. Name a band that was definitely not an influence on the new record.

CK: Devendra Banhart.

BYT: I’m gonna take that as his records are so perfect you don’t even listen to them in fear you’ll just rip him off completely. What is your drug of choice?

CK: Illegal drugs?

BYT: Sure.

CK: If I were to champion any drug it would probably be something mind expanding. Mushrooms perhaps? Fresh ones though… not that dried stuff.

BYT: Who is the weirdest member of the band?

CK: That’s a tough one. I suppose it depends on what your definition of weird is. I feel like we’re all pretty normal.

BYT: Uh huh. What is the origin of the name?

CK: My friend Grady Owens came up with the name. We thought it looked nice when written and conveyed a certain message. If I could do it over again however I’d probably pick a name that started with “a” because I never make it all the way to the “y” section of the record store.

BYT: And now a question from Klosterman: You meet the perfect person. Romantically, this person is ideal: You find them physically attractive, intellectually stimulating, consistently funny, and deeply compassionate. However, they have one quirk: This individual is obsessed with Jim Henson’s gothic puppet fantasy The Dark Crystal. Beyond watching it on DVD at least once a month, he/she peppers casual conversation with Dark Crystal references, uses Dark Crystal analogies to explain everyday events, and occasionally likes to talk intensely about the film’s “deeper philosophy.” Would this be enough to stop you from marrying this individual?

CK: I like obsessive personality types so I would probably find it charming and only slightly irritating.

Once again, leave a comment if you want a pair of tickets to their show, details:

Rock and Roll Hotel - http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com/
Wed, Oct 24th
Doors | 8pm
Show | 830pm
$10/$12

Celebration - http://www.myspace.com/celebrationcelebration
Yeasayer - http://www.myspace.com/yeasayer
Dragons Of Zynth - http://www.myspace.com/dragonsofzynth

All Hour Cymbals Album Cover

Official Site
Daytrotter Session

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