Song of the Day: Lures - On Tape

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of 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 is featured during the 2014 Spring Fundraising Drive. Your continuing support makes it possible for us to share with you “On Tape” by Seattle band Lures from their 2013 Vacant EP on Fin Records.

Lures - On Tape (MP3)

One of the many horses in the Fin Records stable, Lures have been playing their signature surf rock for years now. The Seattle trio may sound like they come from the 70’s and may look like they got their hair styles from the 80’s, but their time is now. Dreamy, swimming vocals combined with air-tight rhythms and jangly guitars give the band a subdued-but-steady rock core - a sort of musical center that allows the band to offer melodic attacks from any angle.

Today's featured song, "On Tape", displays this sort of sound to a T. The track opens almost like a music box might - we can picture a dancer, spinning, alone in a studio working into the night. Then begins the triumphant and steady build. "Feeling accomplished in a five-minute burst," sings frontman Sam Peterson. "Don't get too comfortable. You asked for assurance, so give me the word." We wonder who he is speaking too, but somehow he is speaking to everyone. "A year ago, I was a year behind... and a year from today, I will be back in time. Yeah, tonight's the first night of the last day of my life." The six-minute track meanders, rolling. Yet somehow we get the feeling it doesn't want to be known - not completely. And that's okay, too. A little mystery in music never hurt anyone!

Lures will be playing a few shows around Washington State this month and also heading to Boise, ID, for Treefort Music Festival. They'll also be playing with The Men at Chop Suey on April 17. For more information, visit their Facebook page. For now, here's a recent video of Lures playing "Vacant" at Jupiter Studios: