Song of the Day: Deerhoof - Paradise Girls

Song of the Day, The Midday Show w/ Cheryl Waters
01/21/2015
Janice Headley
photo by Chad Kamenshine

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Paradise Girls” by Deerhoof from the 2014 album La Isla Bonita on Polyvinyl Records.

Deerhoof - Paradise Girls (MP3)

Art-pop weirdos Deerhoof have always been on a planet of their own, and with their thirteenth and latest album La Isla Bonita, they continue to inhabit that "beautiful island" of misfit music. The Bay Area-based band just celebrated their 20th anniversary together, yet their adventurous, avant garde punk still sounds fresh and new.

La Isla Bonita was recorded in the span of just over a week in guitarist Ed Rodriguez's basement. Drummer Greg Saunier notes the ten days were spent "arguing over whether to try and sound like Joan Jett or Janet Jackson, cracking each other up." Even the album shares a title with '80s icon Madonna. Yet, in typical Deerhoof fashion, the band filter the slick sound of pop through their experimental noise-rock lens, creating a sound so uniquely theirs. In an interview with DIY Magazine, Saunier states, "Our strategy is, if it seems like a music writer is about to figure out what we do, we better contradict it as soon as possible so that writer is confused again."

The band are about to embark on the European leg of the La Isla Bonita tour, followed by some more US dates, including a stop at SXSW. You can follow the misadventures of Deerhoof on both Twitter and Facebook.

Related News & Reviews

Music That Matters The Midday Show w/ Cheryl Waters

Music That Matters Podcast: I'm In Your Mind

Check out some of the KEXP DJ’s favorite artists from the Pacific Northwest and around the world on-the-go. KEXP’s Music That Matters weekly podcast brings you an exclusive mix of new music from the world’s best independent artists.


Read More
Song of the Day

Song of the Day: Ultimate Painting - Central Park Blues

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday …


Read More
Song of the Day

Song of the Day: Cult of Youth - God's Garden

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday …


Read More
Music That Matters The Midday Show w/ Cheryl Waters

Music That Matters Podcast: Head in the Clouds

Check out some of the KEXP DJ’s favorite artists from the Pacific Northwest and around the world on-the-go. KEXP’s Music That Matters weekly podcast brings you an exclusive mix of new music from the world’s best independent artists.


Read More