Song of the Day: Be Forest - Colours

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, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “ Colours” by Be Forest from the 2014 album Earthbeat on We Were Never Being Boring.

Be Forest - Colours (MP3)

Italians Do It Better, states a Portland-based record label by its own moniker. While they're most likely being ironic, since they don't seem to have any actual Italians on their roster, when it comes to indie rock, the truth of that statement is difficult to tell, as too few Italian bands cross over to the U.S. each year. Fortunately, one recent export, Be Forest, is starting to make tracks here with their sophomore album, Earthbeat (released on another interestingly named label, We Were Never Being Boring). Hailing from the small east coastal town of Pesaro, Be Forest grew from a trio to a four-piece, adding electronics whiz Lorenzo Badioli to the lineup of guitarist Nicola Lampredi, bassist/vocalist Costanza Delle Rose, and drummer/vocalist Erica Terenzi. It's Badoili's addition that crystalizes the band's sound. Cool and atmospheric, Earthbeat aptly combines ethereal electronics and reverbed instrumentation with organic, and even Native American-influenced, textures and percussion. The exotic blend is immediately apparent on today's featured song, "Colours", which brings to mind The xx and Dodos equally. Like it, the rest of the album is equally alluring, adding whirls of psychedelia and a gentle warmth that radiates through the chill.

Currently, Be Forest has a list of tour dates in Europe through May. No dates are listed yet for an American tour, but hopefully as the rest of the world catches on to Italy's prowess, we'll see them here soon enough. For now, keep up with the band on their website and Facebook page and check out their recent video for "Totem II", another song from Earthbeat: