With the success of groups like Broken Social Scene and the Arcade Fire, we’re seeing more and more bands with five-plus members and some unorthodox instruments that one wouldn’t have associated with a “rock band” ten years ago. Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s are one of these bands, creating a “chamber pop” sound that harkens “as far back” to those Arcade Fire fellows mixed with a little bit of The Shins.
Margot formed in Indianapolis in 2005 and since then have been slowly making major waves. They released their first album, The Dusk of Retreat (4 stars from allmusic.com) in 2006 and by 2008 the Richard Edwards led outfit found intself as one of busier acts around. Not only have they been touring all summer, including a spot on the Lollapalooza main stage, but Margot has also put out an EP and plan to two full-length albums come this fall. The two album situation results from an ongoing conflict with Epic Records on what exactly should be on the next album album, so Animal! (double vinyl and digital download) will feature the songs the band likes, whereas Not Animal (digital download and CD) will show off the songs Epic Records loved.
While The Dusk of Retreat is great in its own right, the band also makes a compelling case on the live front. Named Marquee Magazine’s “Number One Show of 2005,” the band certainly brings an energy and sound to a live show that is hard to beat.
With that said, go check these guys out when they come to a town near you and remember to pick up Animal and/or Not Animal when they hit stores and the internet.
Check Out:
“Barfight Revolution, Power Violence” (Live)
Daytrotter Sessions
Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s Tour Dates
09/04 – E. Lansing, MI @ MSU Auditorium
09/06 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
09/07 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
09/08 – Towson, MD @ Recher Theater
09/10 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
09/11 – Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm
09/12 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
09/15 – New Orleans, LA @House of Blues
09/17 – Urbana, IL @ The Canopy Club
09/18 – Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
09/19 – Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall
09/30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/05 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
10/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour