And the Relatives

andtherelatives

[wpaudio url=”https://americansongwriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/fourth-rate.mp3″ text=”And The Relatives – Fourth Rate” dl=”0″] [wpaudio url=”https://americansongwriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/be-here-to-love-me-feat.-caitlin-rose.mp3″ text=”And The Relatives – Be Here To Love Me” dl=”0″]

These tracks were recorded live at Eastwood Salon by Eli Beaird and Steve Martin

When it comes to relevant independent music, an unfortunate emphasis has swiftly snuck its way into the collective record store junkie’s conscience urging him or her to place a higher value on bands whose approach (or gimmick, if you will) leans all-too heavily on bells and whistles; whose self-forged identity is an essential scoff in the face of song craft. And the Relatives, The Holly House’s founding group do independent music a favor as they take a carelessly cool step in the opposite direction. Imagine if you will (and go with me on this one) that Ezra Koenig, members of Tahiti 80 and Queens of the Stone Age got together, listened to a bunch of The Seeds and Gang of Four records, and formed a hard blues, surf-tinged, no-nonsense band in The Police’s basement—their subsequent songs would be a lot like those of And the Relatives. Began in frontman Andrew Brassell’s efficiency apartment with long-time friend and drummer Patrick Rodgers, the duo signed on bassist Eli Beaird in whose basement/garage the band now practices and records. The trio garnered some well-deserved national attention last year as they were selected by Spin as one of “Eight Undiscovered Bands Worth a Listen.” The small piece highlighted EP opener “Cowboy Jazz”, but we think “Animals” is definitely the song you’ll keep going back to. With a murderously catchy melody and a sexy stop-and-go rhythm, the EP highlight can really make you move.

DEATHBED COVER

And the Relatives weren’t interested in making you cut the rug when they chose Townes Van Zandt’s “Be Here to Love Me” as their cover. Reflecting on what he would want to hear on his deathbed, songwriter Andrew Brassell said, “You’re going to want to hear something relatively happy, but poignant about what’s going on.” So the trio aptly selected the melancholy Tejano feeling tune and tweaked it to another level, adding heart-wrenching three-part harmonies, compliments of a few Holly House ladies. Their take really accentuates what’s beautiful about the song.

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Caitlin Rose