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 “PERG (Honing)” by Cock & Swan from the album Dream Alone, available now via Hush Hush Records.
Cock & Swan – PERG (Honing) (MP3)
Seattle's own Cock & Swan have been keeping things fairly quiet in the four years that have passed since their last album, Secret Angles, though they've never stopped working. In that time, the duo of Ola Hungerford and Johnny Gross have taken their obsidian synth-pop and applied it to other realms, such as working with choreographer Kate Wallich to create otherworldly soundtracks for dance performances, and re-scoring Nicolas Winding Refn's haunting film Only God Forgives for a live performance as part of the Puget Soundtrack series. The results of the latter were so fruitful as to inspire an entire album based on the material, with Cock & Swan's new record, Dream Alone, conjuring rosy, nocturnal headspaces from Refn's original dreamy vision.
On "PERG (Honing)," Cock & Swan is in peak form, contrasting Hungerford's wispy vocals with the kind of dark, minimal synth work that seems to slowly dissipate into the shadows. It's the sort of neon-hued electronic music that one might hear in an episode of Stranger Things; but where that show's score revels in a sense of innocence and discovery, Cock & Swan take the route of mystery, injecting their music with a deep and sensual gloom. Though "PERG (Honing)" may have originated as the soundtrack idea for another man's film, what we ended up with is a dystopian slice of goth pop that's entirely on its own wavelength.
No shows currently on the horizon, but follow the band on Facebook for the latest news. And check out a live version of today's featured track, recorded last year in their own Dandelion Gold studios.
On this day in 1992, the number-one hit song in the U.S. was "How Do You Talk to an Angel" by The Heights. The Jacksons: An American Dream, which chronicled the rise to fame of the Jacksons, premiered on ABC and movies like A River Runs Through It, Glengarry Glen Ross, and the Steven Seagal classic…
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 Midd…
Portland musician and punk rock icon Fred Cole of Dead Moon and Pierced Arrows passed away last night, November 9, after a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed today by Empty Records co-founder Meghan Smith in the Dead Moon fan club Facebook group. You can read Smith's full message below.
Throwaway Style is a weekly column dedicated to examining all aspects of the Northwest music scene. Whether it’s a new artist making waves, headlines affecting local talent, or reflecting on some of the music that’s been a foundation in our region; this space celebrates everything happening in the …
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 Morn…
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 Morn…
