Matt and Kim just want to have fun. The Brooklyn duo are known for electric live shows, where whimsical props, old-school hip-hop bass drops and the pair’s unflagging energy bolster sunny indie-pop. We got Matt Johnson on the line before their April 12 stop at the House of Blues behind their fifth LP, New Glow, dropping April 7. // Alexandra Cavallo
WHAT WAS THE FIRST SONG ON NEW GLOW THAT YOU BOTH KNEW WAS GOING TO BE GREAT? “Hey Now” is the first one we did. We’ve been really lucky to have a live show that people seem to really enjoy and come back to. The energy we put on stage is way different than what one might consider an “indie” show. We have no problem with putting a Ludacris song right in the middle of one of our singles. So when we were writing “Hey Now,” we just needed to get what we do on stage and put it on a record. We were making it at my house, jumping around the room, like “Yes!”
SPEAKING OF YOUR LIVE SHOWS, DO YOU FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THAT PRESENT AND PUT ON A KICKASS SHOW EVERY TIME? It’s the only way I could see doing it. I’ve seen bands that are great bands, but the most they’re visually into a song is maybe a subtle head bob. I wouldn’t be able to play a show like that. If the crowd isn’t jumping up and down, or crowd surfing, or whatever, I’m just like, “We should go to the next song. I don’t think they’re into this.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-SHOW RITUALS TO PSYCH YOURSELVES UP? Kim notoriously has a routine where she has a certain playlist—it involves Beyoncé—mostly hip-hop, high-energy songs that she dances to. And you can’t interrupt her. She needs to get through the whole playlist. So basically she’s worked herself into a sweat before she even goes onstage.
YOUR VIBE IS VERY YOUTHFUL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. CAN YOU SEE YOURSELVES DOING THIS IN 20 YEARS? I don’t know! That’s a question we’ve asked. “In 10 years, Kim, could you still be dancing on an audiences’ hands?” But how old is Iggy Pop? He’s in his 60s? He’s still going for it. So I have no idea—I guess it’s how long the body lets us do it.
Rock fests reign supreme in this town, but electro-heads can get their fix at Together Boston, a city-spanning celebration of electronic music entering its sixth year. The May 10-17 festival features big names from across the globe—like Germany’s Mano Le Tough and Brits Sasha and Scuba—as well as workshops, lectures and demos.
Then Memorial Day weekend welcomes biannual blowout Boston Calling back to City Hall Plaza for its fifth formidable installment. The May 22-24 edition locked in Beck (before his Grammy sweep), My Morning Jacket and local alt-rock pioneers the Pixies as headliners of a killer three-day lineup that includes St. Vincent, Tenacious D, Run the Jewels, TV on the Radio and more.
If you like your festing a little more DIY, get yourself over to Rock City on May 30 for Awesome Day Fest, O’Brien’s annual beer-b-q rager. This year the all-day fest has expanded to include Great Scott and Wonder Bar, with a heavy-hitting, all-local lineup.
Belle & Sebastian
On March 30, the prolific indie-pop titans breeze into House of Blues behind their ninth studio album, January’s Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, the Scottish outfit’s first record in five years.
Twin Shadow
George Lewis Jr.’s bedroom project turned symphonic synth-pop experience went big for third album Eclipse, layering massive synths with melancholy lyricism. Hear it live at the Paradise Rock Club on April 3.
Spyro Gyra
A mega-force since the ’70s, this Buffalo-bred quintet, which blends pop, R&B and funk into their smooth jazz, is still bringing the noise almost 30 albums later. And they’ll bring it to Scullers on April 10 and 11.
Earl Sweatshirt
The Odd Future rapper—whose surprise album I Don’t Go Outside, I Don’t Like Shit just dropped via iTunes—hits the ’Dise with frequent collaborator/up-and-comer Vince Staples on April 16.
Ben Folds
Everyone’s favorite cheeky piano-pop king (minus the Five) rolls into Royale on April 24 and the Sinclair on April 25 behind his collaborative LP with NYC instrumental sextet yMusic, dropping digitally this spring.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Noel is obviously the more talented Gallagher brother—just ask him. The notoriously hotheaded former Oasis guitarist flies into the Opera House with his backing band on June 6.
Spring Loaded
By Improper Staff | Photo Credit: Matt and Kim: Matt Miller; Speedy Ortiz: Shervin Lainez; Ben Folds: Allan Amato | March 20, 2015
Party Pair
Matt and Kim just want to have fun. The Brooklyn duo are known for electric live shows, where whimsical props, old-school hip-hop bass drops and the pair’s unflagging energy bolster sunny indie-pop. We got Matt Johnson on the line before their April 12 stop at the House of Blues behind their fifth LP, New Glow, dropping April 7. // Alexandra Cavallo
WHAT WAS THE FIRST SONG ON NEW GLOW THAT YOU BOTH KNEW WAS GOING TO BE GREAT? “Hey Now” is the first one we did. We’ve been really lucky to have a live show that people seem to really enjoy and come back to. The energy we put on stage is way different than what one might consider an “indie” show. We have no problem with putting a Ludacris song right in the middle of one of our singles. So when we were writing “Hey Now,” we just needed to get what we do on stage and put it on a record. We were making it at my house, jumping around the room, like “Yes!”
SPEAKING OF YOUR LIVE SHOWS, DO YOU FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THAT PRESENT AND PUT ON A KICKASS SHOW EVERY TIME? It’s the only way I could see doing it. I’ve seen bands that are great bands, but the most they’re visually into a song is maybe a subtle head bob. I wouldn’t be able to play a show like that. If the crowd isn’t jumping up and down, or crowd surfing, or whatever, I’m just like, “We should go to the next song. I don’t think they’re into this.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-SHOW RITUALS TO PSYCH YOURSELVES UP? Kim notoriously has a routine where she has a certain playlist—it involves Beyoncé—mostly hip-hop, high-energy songs that she dances to. And you can’t interrupt her. She needs to get through the whole playlist. So basically she’s worked herself into a sweat before she even goes onstage.
YOUR VIBE IS VERY YOUTHFUL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. CAN YOU SEE YOURSELVES DOING THIS IN 20 YEARS? I don’t know! That’s a question we’ve asked. “In 10 years, Kim, could you still be dancing on an audiences’ hands?” But how old is Iggy Pop? He’s in his 60s? He’s still going for it. So I have no idea—I guess it’s how long the body lets us do it.
No Rest, Just Fest
Rock fests reign supreme in this town, but electro-heads can get their fix at Together Boston, a city-spanning celebration of electronic music entering its sixth year. The May 10-17 festival features big names from across the globe—like Germany’s Mano Le Tough and Brits Sasha and Scuba—as well as workshops, lectures and demos.
Then Memorial Day weekend welcomes biannual blowout Boston Calling back to City Hall Plaza for its fifth formidable installment. The May 22-24 edition locked in Beck (before his Grammy sweep), My Morning Jacket and local alt-rock pioneers the Pixies as headliners of a killer three-day lineup that includes St. Vincent, Tenacious D, Run the Jewels, TV on the Radio and more.
If you like your festing a little more DIY, get yourself over to Rock City on May 30 for Awesome Day Fest, O’Brien’s annual beer-b-q rager. This year the all-day fest has expanded to include Great Scott and Wonder Bar, with a heavy-hitting, all-local lineup.
Big Billings
Belle & Sebastian
On March 30, the prolific indie-pop titans breeze into House of Blues behind their ninth studio album, January’s Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, the Scottish outfit’s first record in five years.
Twin Shadow
George Lewis Jr.’s bedroom project turned symphonic synth-pop experience went big for third album Eclipse, layering massive synths with melancholy lyricism. Hear it live at the Paradise Rock Club on April 3.
Spyro Gyra
A mega-force since the ’70s, this Buffalo-bred quintet, which blends pop, R&B and funk into their smooth jazz, is still bringing the noise almost 30 albums later. And they’ll bring it to Scullers on April 10 and 11.
Earl Sweatshirt
The Odd Future rapper—whose surprise album I Don’t Go Outside, I Don’t Like Shit just dropped via iTunes—hits the ’Dise with frequent collaborator/up-and-comer Vince Staples on April 16.
Ben Folds
Everyone’s favorite cheeky piano-pop king (minus the Five) rolls into Royale on April 24 and the Sinclair on April 25 behind his collaborative LP with NYC instrumental sextet yMusic, dropping digitally this spring.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Noel is obviously the more talented Gallagher brother—just ask him. The notoriously hotheaded former Oasis guitarist flies into the Opera House with his backing band on June 6.
3 of 5
NextStay a step ahead with our newsletter on the latest in Boston living.
Sign me upView All Events
Related Articles
Winter Olympics - Feb. 11
Weekend Ideas: January 8, 2014
Standing Tall
Troy Andrews credits New Orleans mentors for fueling his own mission...
Boozy Bonds
Meryl Streep tanks in John Wells’ adaptation of August: Osage County...
Home Again
Boston welcomes back guitarist Joey Santiago and the rest of the Pixies on Jan. 18 at a sold-out Orpheum...
Peter Simon - Flash Back
A shutterbug shares outtakes from his storied career...
Weekend Ideas: January 16, 2014
Weightless
Matthew Houck lets go to craft an ode to redemption...