We dodged a bullet. Auckland band The Naked and Famous nearly broke up between their second and third albums following the split between band members and co-founders Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers. Lucky for us, the pair chose to truck on, and as they always do, channel their emotions through infectious, anthemic pop-rock music. The result of staying together is their latest album entitled Simple Forms, which drops Oct. 14. First single "Higher," which is already a hit, finds the Kiwis in their finest form.
"Time is the medicine
To heal these needs
That only raise our voices...
Higher, higher"
Try not to be inspired by those lyrics. In any event, Xayalith and Powers sat down for an A-Sides session and interview last month, and discussed keeping the five-piece band intact, their new record in general, and reflected on a summer that had just slipped by. Watch below and be reminded (if you need to be) why you fell in love with them on their 2011 breakout debut Passive Me, Aggressive You ("Young Blood?" "Punching In a Dream?" Timeless.), and on their powerful sophomore work In Rolling Waves.
Oh, and catch them on tour would you? Check out tour dates at TheNakedandFamous.com All videos filmed by ShootMePeter.com.
A-Sides 'Aside'
A-Sides is fortunate to premiere the music video for Fire and the Romance's "Rescue." The video, which was filmed and directed by Peter Roessler, is as deep as the song itself with two people trying to overcome obstacles to meet. The song, by the way, appears on the band's Adaptations LP and frontman/founder Dion Roy says a second album is on the way. Lucky us, because we've been fans for a bit. Anyway, check out the video and thank us later.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman at thisisasides.com
Jon Chattman's music/entertainment series typically features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists featured on the series include Imagine Dragons, Melissa Etheridge, Yoko Ono, Elle King, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, fun, Bleachers, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds, Jimmy Eat World, and Bastille.