Early this summer I was listening to an independent music station at work via the Internet. It is a common thing I do; I have several stations I rotate through, but my favorites are the local St. Louis station KDHX, the Internet only Exponential Radio (affiliated with NPR stations), and WFPK from Louisville, KY. While listening I am always on the “lookout” for great songs or great bands unfamiliar to me.
Internet Radio at Work Rules! – Discovering Nada Surf
On this summer day I heard a song that caught my attention. One great thing about listening to the radio on the Internet is that most stations post a playlist of what they’ve played and what they are currently playing. This song was “Cold to See Clear” by Nada Surf. It was from their 2016 album You Know Who You Are. It was a great song. Later I found it on YouTube and watched the very good accompanying video. Then, as is often the case, YouTube continues to play whatever automatically loads in the queue. So I heard other Nada Surf songs. Then I heard a whole album from the early aughts – Let Go. The first half of that album rivals any album I’ve ever heard. (NOTE: It just so happens I listened to the European release, so the song order is a bit different than the U.S. release.)
Nada Surf does all the things I love in music. Melodic hooks. Poetic lyrics. A good mix and variety of themes, sounds, topics, etc. So I became a Nada Surf fan. As someone who seeks out good music and especially follow the alt, indie, and Americana music scene, I must have encountered Nada Surf music at some point. But for what ever reason, it didn’t stick with me. It was forgotten. Until I rediscovered it that summer day. Nada Surf’s newest album is very good.
Nada Surf at a Club… Really??
Then, last week, I heard Nada Surf was going to be in town performing at The Old Rock House – a medium sized club. I thought I misheard for a minute. But I checked. It was true. Nada Surf at The Old Rock House on Monday, Sept. 26. It didn’t seem right. I saw videos of them performing before huge crowds at festivals and in arenas. Why were they playing a club in St. Louis?
Whatever. Monday night or not – I was going to be there. And I was. And it was awesome. Nada Surf is one of those bands that sounds highly produced on their recordings, but when you see them live you realize it is not THAT produced, because they are playing it out live in front of you. They are truly master professionals at their craft. And it was my impression that they put just as much effort and verve into playing for a few hundred at that club as they would for a few thousand at a concert venue, or even tens of thousands at a festival.
So hats off to you, Nada Surf. You may have been around for a couple of decades, but you are one of my new favorite bands.
Nada Surf – “Rushing” – You Know Who You Are
