By Kristin Anderson
On my search for some quality indie to pay forward, I stumbled across a indie folk band that has helped to solidify the existence of some happy music. Thao With the Get Down Stay Down has succeeded in forcing our spoiled, overindulged, grumpy listeners to smile again. Remember smiling people, it's that thing you do when you're not all wrapped up in your own little tragic universe of perspective.
The band members consist of Thao Nguyen (guitar, vocals), Willis Thompson (drums, percussion), and Adam "The OK BIRD" Thompson (Bass, bird noises). Willis Thompson and Thao Nguyen met at a re-enactment in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and then found Adam Thompson one summer at a Richmond delicatessen, gingerly slicing. They got in a van together and stopped every night in different places. Got out, played music (often for real live people) and then got back in and rambled to the next town.
Thao With the Get Down Stay Down recorded one album, drove around and flew to and fro, and then recorded another. Both albums document the musical collaboration of many friends and colleagues and the efforts of one Thao to understand human interaction at all, ever. Their latest Know Better Learn Faster was released on 10/13/09 and is making a serious impact on its impressive show line up of all the indie hot spots you could hope to visit. (check out the tour dates on www.myspace.com/thaomusic )
When the band is on tour, they stop at rivers and skip stones competitively. On days off, Adam breaks bread and prepares dinner while Willis builds percussive instruments using only bottle caps and intuition, and Thao awkwardly lifts the one 10-pound weight she has brought along to stay in shape for shows. Everyone watches the Food Network and the Discovery Channel together for dessert. The three of them share many hopes; most center around getting co-starring roles in a Mentos commercial and sleeping in separate beds while traveling.
Unsure of who influenced them, the band seems to have really coined their own sound and energy. Without using any particular sin to sell their sound they just seem to be doing what they do. Ducks in water. This family of friends has been expressing true appreciation for the delight of sharing this music: "We are very grateful for our musical lots in life and will always try our best to act accordingly. We thank you, very sincerely, for your ears, and your time, and your penchant for showing up and dancing."
Easy to follow with a disposition of love and delight, Know Better Learn Faster gives you the chance to listen through without coming across a song that will make you wanna skip forward. The songs all have genuinely interesting lyrics and a positive banter. Let the record show that I am not a easy folk sell — I come across a lot of indie folk music and rarely am nearly as smitten as I am with these three artists. Pleasure sensors of the subconscious are revived by this sound, it is not without content. This is not just cheerful fluff — actually it is not bubbling with any specific lyrics that define it as happy go lucky music — it just plain makes you feel like a little kid boppin' around and waving about without a care for the why.
You will notice when listening that the attitude of this band is clearly delivered. The sound and feeling is contented. Not preachy with do-gooder lyrics but real and calm. Your kids could listen to this, upbeat and sweet. Lyrically and vocally the sound is perfection, and like when you play them Bob Marley on long car rides, marveling when they know all the words. It is a combination of a hopeful acceptance of the reality and the lightness of heart that keeps you pushing through it.
Thao, not towel, With the Get Down Stay Down is a folk injection better than any vaccine your local government is trying to shoot you with. Get a dose and just try to continue grumping. You may be immune after this album. Catch a smile you grumpy brooders. Thao With the Get Down Stay Down will make your face hurt.
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